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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>From: Lisa Liel <lisa@starways.net><BR><BR>>>Mashiach
isn't "sent". That's an idea <BR>that's rooted in Christianity.
Mashiach isn't some otherworldly <BR>creature. He's flesh and blood like
me and you. He isn't mashiach <BR>prior to accomplishing the things the
Rambam lists. That's just the <BR>label that's put on the leader who does
those things.<<<BR><BR><BR>Lisa<BR><BR><BR></FONT></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>>>>>></DIV>
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<DIV>I'm not so sure it's a Christian idea. I think rather that the
Christians took it from us -- the idea that Hashem will send the Moshiach.
Yes, you are correct that he will be flesh and blood, not some kind of
demi-god.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The interplay of hashgacha and bechira is a subject for long discussion
(probably thousands of pages in the Avodah archives already).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>On the one hand in each generation Hashem sends us the leaders we need
-- a Baal Shem Tov, a Vilna Gaon, a Rav Moshe Feinstein, a Chofetz Chaim, a
Chazon Ish. On the other hand the people with the kochos do not /have/ to accept
their mission, the becoming-a-godol requires massive amounts of mesirus nefesh
and personal effort on the part of a person who hasn't been explicitly told by a
bas kol "You are to be a godol."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Usually it is not obvious early in a great person's life that he was sent
here on a mission, it becomes obvious only later in his life or after his
death.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That Moshiach will have to accomplish certain specific things through
his own efforts does not contradict the idea that he will be sent by
Hashem. Did Hashem send Dovid Hamelech? Going back further,
did He send Moshe Rabbeinu? I think the answers are yes. In the case
of Moshe Rabbeinu it is explicit at the burning bush. Moshe by his own
bechirah became a worthy leader and then Hashem sent him to Pharoah.
That's not a Christian idea, they got it from us.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff></FONT><BR><FONT color=#0000ff><STRONG>--Toby
Katz<BR>KVCT<BR>=============</STRONG></FONT><FONT lang=0 size=2 face=Arial
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color=#0000ff>-------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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