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Thought for the Day: The Members of the Sanhedrin When the Mashiach Arrives, May He Arrive Soon and in Our Lifetime

I heard that R' Moshe Feinstein, z''tzl, was concerned about getting a pacemaker. Why? Because he was concerned that it would be considered a מום/defect that would render him unfit to be a member of the Sanhedrin that will be appointed after the arrival of the Mashiach, may he arrive soon and in our lifetime. I had a couple of questions. First, was that story true? If it was, then how could R' Moshe, as great as he was, hope to get on the coveted 70 (maybe 71) appointments? I mean, R' Moshe would be in competition with Acharonim, Rishonim, Amaraim, Tannaim, Ishei Tanach; even the Avos! There is only one address for questions such as that in Chicago: R' Fuerst.

I told R' Fuerst I had heard that story about R' Moshe and the pacemaker. The dayan responded, "I have also heard that story." I really love R' Fuerst. After a short pause, the dayan told me he has one proof it might be true, and another that it might be false.

Why might it be true? On one of the dayan's frequent visits to R' Moshe, he noticed that R' Moshe was depressed (the dayan's words). It was (again the dayan's words) very unusual for R' Moshe to be in that kind of mood. R' Fuerst asked the family and was told that R' Moshe had to make a decision about having a pacemaker implanted and was very unhappy about that. This is obviously one of the situations where you can't ask someone to speak in learning about their concerns and depression. But R' Moshe was clearly concerned about it.

The proof that it is not true? First, there is medrash that everyone will be healed of any defects when the Mashiach arrives. Second, there is a question if an implanted device would render someone a בעל מום/unfit, and it seems from the Tiferes Yisrael that it would not. Maybe we don't pasken like that medrash and maybe an implanted device would render someone a בעל מום. But it seems that we do pasken like that medrash and that an implant does not render someone a בעל מום.

Bottom line: the question remains open. Fine, but why would R' Moshe feel that he would be in the running for an appointment to the Sanhedrin with all that competition? So this is cool: We have no clue who will be on the Sanhedrin. From the fact that R' Moshe felt he had a shot, though, apparently the גדולי הדור/great sages from each generation are all in the running.  Which sages are likely to "make the cut"? R' Fuerst mentioned, besides (possibly R' Moshe), the Chasam Sofer and R' Akiva Eiger. It is kind of fun -- and adds to the anticipation -- to make your own list. Maybe we can start a fantasy Sanhedrin league!  In any case, it seems like it will be quite an eclectic group. (Not unlike our vasikin minyan, I might add.)

R' Fuerst added an interesting story about when R' Moshe finally did have the pacemaker implanted. For his final checkup/checkout R' Elimelech Bluth went with R' Moshe to act as interpreter. The doctor said everything looked good and the rabbi should come back in 10 years. (That was the lifetime of a pacemaker in those days, apparently.) R' Moshe asked what the doctor said, R' Bluth told him. R' Moshe smiled and said, "Tell the doctor that the Mashiach will be here before then."

Clearly the Mashiach didn't come. Before that 10 years had elapsed, R' Moshe was nifter. What was R' Moshe telling the doctor and what did R' Fuerst want me to take away? I think simply that we need to do our normal, required השתדלות/effort; but not more than that. We need to live with the reality that the Mashiach can come any moment, and then our lives will change. When is he coming? I don't know. How will our lives change? I don't know. It is a lot like planning for retirement. You have to live each moment, but you also have to be preparing for your future life. Just be sure you are contributing daily to your spiritual 401k.
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