Pre-Messianic Leadership

Moshe Rabbeinu was very concerned that a dedicated leader would succeed him. He recommended that it be someone אשר יצא לפניהם ואשר יבוא לפניהם, “one who will go out with them, and will come in with them.” He was hoping for a leader thoroughly devoted to the people.

By contrast, Rav Yisrael Salanter commented on a Gemara in מסכת סוטה, that said that a sign that Mashiach is coming is that פני הדור כפני הכלב, that the face of the leaders of the generation will be like the face of the dog.

Rav Salanter explained that just as dogs run ahead of their masters, but wait at the crossroads for instruction, so, too will be the leaders, prior to the arrival of Mashiach.

These leaders will not truly lead. They will act as if they are leading, but when a big decision needs to be made, they will wait for public opinion, and then run ahead pretending that they were the ones that came up with the idea.

If Rav Salanter is correct, it looks like Mashiach is just around the corner!