Messiah
The MessiahThe promised deliverer of the Hebrew nation at the end of times. is believed in Judaism to be a righteous king who will be sent by God to unite people all over the world regardless of race, culture or religion.
Many Jews believe that when the Messiah comes, he will do the following:
- rebuild the Temple (Judaism)The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem from biblical times until AD70. in Jerusalem
- bring about a new The Messianic AgeThe Jewish belief in a new era of peace brought in by the Messiah., in which all people will live in peace (Micah 4:1鈥3)
- bring a true awareness of God to all people (Isaiah 11:11鈥12 and Ezekiel 37:24鈥8)
- signal the end of the world
Characteristics of the Messiah
The TanakhThe collected 24 books of the Jewish Bible. There are three sections: Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim (TaNaKh). May also be spelled Tenakh. states that the Messiah will be a great leader and will be descended from King David (Judaism)The second monarch of the Israelite tribes and the father of Solomon. A very important figure in Judaism and Christianity. .
The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely.
The Book of Isaiah says that the Messiah will be a political leader and judge. He will create a fair government in Israel, which will become a centre for all politics worldwide.
Many Jews believe that the coming of the Messiah will be preceded by the Prophet ElijahA Hebrew prophet who rescued the Jewish faith from being corrupted by worship of the false god Baal. Many Jews believe that Elijah will return to Earth before the coming of the Messiah. returning to Earth. Many Jews believe that Elijah saved the Jewish faith from worshipping a false god.
The Messianic Age
The Messianic Age is often referred to by Jews as olam ha-baThe Hebrew name for the spiritual afterlife. It is also used to describe the Messianic age., meaning 鈥榯he world to come鈥. Jews believe this will be a time of peace with a total absence of war and hatred.
During the Messianic Age, Jews believe that God will be accepted by everyone and Judaism will be known as the one true religion.
Orthodox and Reform Jewish views on the Messiah
There are some differing ideas among Jews regarding the Messiah and the Messianic Age:
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah |
| The Messianic Age will only start after the Messiah鈥檚 arrival on Earth. It is therefore important for Jews to pray for the Messiah, also known as the 鈥榬edeemer鈥, to come. | Human beings are responsible for bringing peace to the world. Instead of praying for a Messiah, Jews should pray for a Messianic Age, which will be an age of peace. Reform Jews pray for redemption rather than for a 鈥榬edeemer鈥. |
| The Messiah will be a human being descended from King David, although he will have superhuman qualities and abilities. | There will not necessarily be a person who is the Messiah. |
| In the Messianic Age, Jews will triumph over the enemies of Israel. This will lead to the destruction of weapons and people living in peace. | Humans can bring on the Messianic Age by joining together to create a better world. The Messianic Age will not bring about conflict, but peace and understanding between all people. |
| The Messianic Age will be a sign of the end of the world and the physical resurrection of the dead. | Many Reform Jews do not believe that there will be an end to the world, or that the dead will be resurrected. |
| The Messiah will rebuild the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and restore the authority to rule over Israel to the descendants of King David. | The rebuilding of the Temple is a metaphor for the Messianic Age, where there will be peace and all people will know God and follow his commandments. |
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | The Messianic Age will only start after the Messiah鈥檚 arrival on Earth. It is therefore important for Jews to pray for the Messiah, also known as the 鈥榬edeemer鈥, to come. |
|---|---|
| Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | Human beings are responsible for bringing peace to the world. Instead of praying for a Messiah, Jews should pray for a Messianic Age, which will be an age of peace. Reform Jews pray for redemption rather than for a 鈥榬edeemer鈥. |
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | The Messiah will be a human being descended from King David, although he will have superhuman qualities and abilities. |
|---|---|
| Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | There will not necessarily be a person who is the Messiah. |
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | In the Messianic Age, Jews will triumph over the enemies of Israel. This will lead to the destruction of weapons and people living in peace. |
|---|---|
| Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | Humans can bring on the Messianic Age by joining together to create a better world. The Messianic Age will not bring about conflict, but peace and understanding between all people. |
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | The Messianic Age will be a sign of the end of the world and the physical resurrection of the dead. |
|---|---|
| Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | Many Reform Jews do not believe that there will be an end to the world, or that the dead will be resurrected. |
| Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | The Messiah will rebuild the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and restore the authority to rule over Israel to the descendants of King David. |
|---|---|
| Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah | The rebuilding of the Temple is a metaphor for the Messianic Age, where there will be peace and all people will know God and follow his commandments. |
Question
Many Jews believe that the Messiah will be a descendant of which person?
The Tanakh states that the Messiah will be a great leader and will be descended from King David.