What does "the face of the generation is like the face of a dog" mean?

Greetings,

There are several interpretations. Rashi (Sanhedrin 97a, second explanation) wrote that the face of the generation is like the face of a dog—so they do not feel shame towards each other. This is apparently in line with what is said (Isaiah 56:11) "and the dogs are bold of spirit". The same is stated by the Iyun Yaakov (Sotah 49b) that the face of the generation is like that of a dog—meaning they will be bold-faced as it is written, and the dogs are bold of spirit, etc.

Furthermore, the Maharsha (Sanhedrin there) wrote that it can also be interpreted that the dog is called that because it is all heart and loyal to its master, and it was said, the face of that generation will be like the face of a dog, which shows affection outwardly as if it loves, but its heart is not with it, for in truth, the love that is apparent before you is absent in the heart. On this, it is said (Sotah 47b) that the generation only sees matters superficially.

The Etz Yosef there brings forth an explanation in the name of the Zikukim DeNura referring to the Tana of the house of Elijah (Zuta Chapter 16, letter 9), that the face of the generation refers to the wealthy ones of that generation, as Rashi explains on the verse (Genesis 41:56) "and the famine was over all the face of the land", who are the face of the land, these are the wealthy. Thus, in the footsteps of the Messiah, the wealthy of the generation will be greedy and stingy with their money and cruel in giving anything to the poor, like a dog that is miserly and cruel, unwilling to give anything to its companions, as the commentaries interpret on the verse (I Samuel 25:3) "and the man's name was Nabal, etc., and the man was harsh and evil in his deeds, and he was a dog", as he was stingy, miserly, and cruel in not giving any of his great feast to the servants of David.

Moreover, the Rabbi Chida, zt”l, in his book P’tach Einayim (Sanhedrin there) wrote that he heard that the intention is according to the reality of the world that the rich have boldness while the poor are lowly and depressed, as it is written (Proverbs 18:23) "the poor speaks with beggings and the rich answers with boldness". Behold, a dog's provisions are meager, as they have said (Shabbat 106b) that there is none poorer than a dog, and yet they are bold as it is written (Isaiah 56:11) "and the dogs are bold of spirit." In the footsteps of the Messiah, the poor will be bold like the dog, and that is what is meant by the face of the generation being bold and poor, like the face of a dog.

Rabbi Yosef Yehuda Leib Bloch, zt”l (Rosh Yeshiva of Telz), in his book Shaarei Da'at Volume 3 (page 15), brought in the name of the saintly Gaon Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, zt"l, who explained that when one sees a wagon moving and a dog running before it, one cannot tell who is leading and who is being led. At first glance, it appears that the dog is leading since it runs in front while the wagon follows it. However, upon reaching a fork in the road, one sees that the dog stops and turns back to see where the wagon is heading. From this, we know that the dog is not the leader but is running to direct the wagon. So too, in the footsteps of the Messiah, the face of the generation, the leaders of the nation, will not lead their generation according to their own understanding and intellect, but will always turn their faces to see where the mind of the generation tends to lead it.

Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, zt”l, in his book Koveitz Ma’amorim and Igrot (pages 281-282), brought in the name of the Chafetz Chaim, zt”l (in the name of the saintly Rabbi Yitzhak of Volozhin, son of the author of Nefesh HaChaim, zt”l) who explained that it is the nature of the dog, that if it is hit with a stone, it immediately attacks the stone to bite it. When Haman arose against Israel, one must know that Haman is but a stick sent from Heaven to strike us. "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger" (Isaiah 10:5), there is no need to fight against the stick, for are there not plenty of sticks in heaven? "Many messengers to the place." We must take precautions to prevent the nations from raising "sticks" against us. In the days of the footsteps of the Messiah, the knowledge will be lacking, and like a foolish dog, they will bite the stick, etc. The leaders see only the stick and refuse to acknowledge the one hitting us with it. "And the people do not return to the stricken one" (there, 10:12), and thus it is said.

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs