The Messiah in Judaism

This section explains The Messiah in Judaism. The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach, which means ‘anointed one’ or someone chosen by God to lead. In Jewish belief, the Messiah will come to Earth to bring about an era of perfect peace and prosperity, known as the Messianic Age.

Qualities of the Messiah

According to the Torah, the Messiah will possess the following characteristics:

• A male descendant of King David, from the tribe of Judah.
• A human being, born of human parents, rather than a divine figure.
• A perfect teacher and interpreter of God’s law.
• A great political leader, inspirational and just, who will govern with wisdom.
• The one who will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and restore true worship.
• A ruler over humanity, governing with kindness and fairness.
• The bringer of global peace, ending conflict and uniting all people.
• The one who will lead humanity into an age of justice and righteousness.

Ultimately, Jewish belief holds that the Messiah will establish God’s kingdom on Earth, fulfilling divine promises and bringing harmony to the world.

When Will the Messiah Appear?

Different Jewish traditions offer varying perspectives on the arrival of the Messiah:

• Some Jews believe that God has already determined the exact time when the Messiah will come, but this date remains unknown to humanity.
• Others believe that the Messiah will only appear once humanity has improved its behaviour and demonstrated worthiness through acts of righteousness and kindness.
• A few believe that the Messiah will arrive at a time of great suffering or when the world is in desperate need of divine intervention.

According to Jewish teachings, the Prophet Elijah will return to Earth shortly before the arrival of the Messiah, heralding his coming. Additionally, some traditions suggest that the dead will be resurrected at this time.

Disputes About the Messiah

Jewish beliefs about the Messiah are not uniform, and there are significant differences between various Jewish groups:

• Orthodox Jews hold a traditional view that the Messiah is a divinely chosen individual who will fulfil the prophecies of the Torah and lead the Jewish people to redemption.
• Reform Jews, however, largely reject the idea of a literal Messiah as a single person. Instead, they believe that humanity collectively has the ability to bring about a Messianic Age through good deeds, justice, and the pursuit of peace. Rather than waiting for one leader, they focus on the moral responsibility of individuals to improve the world.

The Messianic Age

The Messianic Age is envisioned as a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity, where:

• War and suffering will cease, and people will live in harmony.
• All Jewish people will return to Israel and live together in unity.
• The world will recognise and worship the Jewish God as the one true deity.
• Food and water will be abundant, ensuring no one suffers from hunger or thirst.
• Nature will exist in perfect balance, with animals no longer preying on one another.
• Justice and righteousness will prevail, with societies built on fairness and compassion.

This vision of a transformed world remains central to Jewish hope and aspiration, inspiring Jews to work towards a better, more just society in the present day.