Messiah

Question 1

Describe Jewish beliefs about the Messiah

Answer 1

The anointed one who Jews believe will bring in a new era or age for humankind
- Jews believe in the Messianic age and greatly look forward to it, when the world will be at peace and there will be complete harmony
- He will bring Jews back to Israel and restore Jerusalem
- He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem
- It will be when the ‘wolf will live with the lamb’
- There are fairly varied beliefs on the Messiah because there are no definite teachings about the messiah so Jews have to rely on interpretations of scripture
- Jews also believe we ought not to focus on what is to come in the next life as it is God’s plan which is beyond our understanding, and ought to focus on our actions in the here and now

Question 2

Orthodox views on the Messiah

Answer 2

• There is a specific arrival date
• Some Orthodox believe that the world will get worse and then the Messiah will come and put it right
• Others believe that the world will first need to get better for the Messiah to be ready to con me
• Some see him as a supernatural being
• Others see him as a human who is a great political leader and judge

Question 3

Reform beliefs on the Messiah

Answer 3

• They do not believe that the Messiah is a physical being
• Their main focus is Jews looking forward to the messianic age and working hard themselves towards that goal
• The messianic age will be brought out by the actions of Jews, and following the Mitzvot

Question 4

Quotes from the Tenakh on the Mashiach

Answer 4

‘The messiah will be a great political leader descended from King David’
There will be ‘peaceful co-existence of all people… no more hatred, intolerance, or war’
‘He will bring about political and spiritual redemption, restoring Jerusalem’
‘He will rebuild the temple and re-establish worship… he will re-establish Jewish laws as the laws of the land’