Editing Moshiach ben Yosef (section)

== In the Sources ==
Moshiach ben Yosef is mentioned in the Gemara in [[Sukkah|Masechet Sukkah]], where it says on the verse "And the land shall mourn, every family apart," that in the future Israel will mourn for "Moshiach ben Yosef who will be killed." According to another opinion in the Gemara, it refers to the yetzer hara (evil inclination) that will be killed:<blockquote>"And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of Dovid apart, and their wives apart." They said: Is this not a kal vachomer (logical deduction)? If in the future time, when they are engaged in mourning and the yetzer hara has no control over them, the Torah says men separately and women separately, now when they are engaged in rejoicing and the yetzer hara has control over them, how much more so! But what is the reason for this mourning? Rabbi Dosa and the Rabbis disagree. One says it is for Moshiach ben Yosef who was killed, and one says it is for the yetzer hara that was killed. — Masechet Sukkah, 52a</blockquote>Later in the Gemara, it is related that Hashem will ask Moshiach ben Dovid what request he has, and he will answer that he wants Hashem to bring Moshiach ben Yosef back to life:<blockquote>And when Moshiach ben Dovid sees that Moshiach ben Yosef has been killed, he says before Him: "Master of the Universe, I ask of You only life." Hashem says to him: "Life! Before you even asked, your father Dovid already prophesied about you, as it is said, 'He asked life of You, You gave it to him, etc.'" — Sukkah, 52a</blockquote>

==== Rambam's Perspective on Mashiach ben Yosef ====
The Rambam writes in his book that: "No person will know how things will be until they come to pass" and according to many opinions, Mashiach ben Yosef is a metaphor. The Rambam himself does not refer to Mashiach ben Yosef in his book<ref>"And it requires further study that in the Rambam's conclusion of Hilchot Melachim [Laws of Kings], he completely omits the matter of Mashiach ben Yosef, and it implies from his wording there that everything is accomplished through Mashiach ben David" - Likutei Sichot volume 32, page 185. "And the later authorities have already noted and discussed that in the Rambam there is no mention at all regarding Mashiach ben Yosef" - Likutei Sichot volume 25, page 249. And it should be noted from Mishneh Torah, Chapter 12, Hilchot Melachim U'Milchamot [Laws of Kings and Wars], Section 2 - "No person will know how these matters will occur until they happen."</ref>. Rabbi Saadia Gaon wrote that Mashiach ben Yosef will not necessarily come, and it depends on the Jewish people; if the Jewish people return in teshuvah, Mashiach ben David will come immediately, and if not, Mashiach ben Yosef will come before him.

Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz brings in his book Yaarot Devash in the name of the Zohar that Mashiach ben Yosef is included within Mashiach ben David, and when he asks Hashem for life as mentioned above, he is asking for the aspect of Mashiach ben Yosef that is included within him.

(According to the Vilna Gaon's approach, Mashiach ben Yosef is not a physical person but refers to all the tzaddikim and great Jewish leaders who were killed al kiddush Hashem. He even lists in his book 156 characteristics that will be present in Mashiach ben Yosef. The Vilna Gaon also wrote that Mashiach ben Yosef does not have to be male and can also be female).