Editing Moshiach ben Yosef (section)

== His Purpose ==
According to Midrash Tanchuma, Mashiach ben Yosef is compared to an ox, while Mashiach ben David is compared to a donkey.

The main mission of Mashiach ben Yosef will be to announce the coming of Mashiach ben David, and he will prepare the world for the coming of Mashiach. According to some opinions, he will also build the Beis Hamikdash and gather the Jewish people, and after Mashiach ben David comes, he will rule under him.

Among other tasks, Mashiach ben Yosef will gather warriors from Israel, strike down the governors of Aram and Yishmael, conquer Eretz Yisrael, rectify Yeravam ben Nevat, defeat the kingdom of Edom, fight against Amalek, and destroy the house of Esav.

The Maharal of Prague explains that Yehudah is compared to the brain, which symbolizes the rule of intellect and knowledge, while Yosef, who corresponds to the heart, symbolizes the rule of emotions and feelings. Therefore, both are fathers of the Jewish nation, but the true leadership belongs to Yehudah because the brain is the primary organ. However, during galus when the Jewish people follow the heart, Yosef is the one who rules.

Therefore, "Mashiach ben Yosef" represents the leaders of Israel during galus, because during galus the Jewish people follow the heart, and because the heart cannot overcome the yetzer hara, the yetzer hara kills him. But Mashiach ben David symbolizes the true and complete leadership, when the nations of the world cannot stand against him.
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