Moshiach Vadai
Mashiach Vadai (Definite Messiah) is the Rambam's definition for the state in which the King Messiah completes his preparatory actions for redemption, and it is now clear according to halacha that he is indeed the King Messiah.
The Source[edit | edit source]
In Chapter 11 of Hilchot Melachim, after describing the signs of "presumptive Messiah," the Rambam writes:
"If he succeeded in his efforts and was victorious over all the nations around him, and built the Temple in its place, and gathered the dispersed of Israel - behold, this is certainly the Mashiach." — Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and Wars, Chapter 11, Law 4
The Meaning[edit | edit source]
In Chapter 11 of the Laws of Kings, the Rambam explains the personality and actions of the King Messiah. In the final law - Law 4 - he reaches the ultimate purpose, bringing the redemption.
At the beginning of the law, the Rambam presents the signs of "presumptive Messiah." This is the period when the King Messiah begins to perform various actions on the path to redemption. After this stage comes the next stage, the final one, definite Messiah. At this stage, the King Messiah has already "acted and succeeded" in all the actions toward redemption, including building the Holy Temple, gathering the exiles, and removing all obstacles to the divine service of the Jewish people ("all the nations around him"). Only then can one move beyond doubt and declare with certainty that "this is the Messiah." At this stage, there will be complete revelation as he gathers all of Israel to their land, through which he will become king in completeness, and only then will his kingship shine forth openly. And the main revelations of the Messianic era will then be visible to all, together with the completeness of redemption.
The Rebbe as Mashiach Vadai[edit | edit source]
The Rebbe mentioned in his talks how the events occurring in the world are being carried out by the King Messiah and are part of the process of his revelation in the world. Additionally, the Rebbe said that the signs of "Mashiach Vadai" have begun to be fulfilled in the world, including the victory of the King Messiah over all nations, building the Temple in its place, and the ingathering of exiles to the Land of Israel.
Based on these talks, rabbis signed a ruling that the Rebbe is King Messiah, and in the Rebbe's reference to these signatures, the Rebbe said, "And so is the ruling of the rabbis and halachic authorities in Israel that the time of redemption has arrived, 'a king from the House of David will arise, etc., with the presumption that he is the Messiah,' and even to the state of 'this is certainly the Messiah.'" After this talk, a ruling was written that also includes this talk, and hundreds of rabbis signed it.
In 5773 (2013), Rabbi Uri Lipsh wrote a ruling that the Rebbe is "Mashiach Vadai." As of 5785 (2025), over 70 rabbis who are halachic authorities have signed this ruling.