Editing The Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach (section)

== Halachic Definition ==

The Rambam is the only halachic authority who defined the process of Geulah and revelation of Moshiach. The Rambam established that Melech HaMoshiach must be a human being of flesh and blood, born of a woman, descended from King David.

The Rambam's words: "If a king will arise from the House of David who delves in Torah and is occupied with mitzvos like his father David, according to the Written and Oral Torah, and he will compel all of Israel to walk in it and strengthen its breaches, and he will fight the wars of Hashem - this is bechezkas that he is Moshiach. If he succeeded and built the Beis Hamikdash in its place and gathered the dispersed of Israel, then this is Moshiach b'vadai. He will perfect the entire world to serve Hashem together, as it says 'For then I will turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Hashem to serve Him with one consent.'"

Unlike the potential Moshiach of every generation who is only worthy to be Moshiach, the status of 'bechezkas Moshiach' means he already has the halachic status of Moshiach and must be related to as such. When Moshiach works to bring the Geulah while still in Golus, before succeeding in his actions and winning his wars, he is still defined as "bechezkas Moshiach." Only when Moshiach succeeds in his actions and wins his wars until bringing about an actual and complete Geulah by building the Beis Hamikdash and gathering the dispersed of Israel, only then "this is Moshiach b'vadai."

The signs of 'bechezkas Moshiach' were given so that during Golus the Jewish people could identify Melech HaMoshiach. The Rebbe, according to these signs, embodies in his character, personality and actions the figure of Moshiach described by the Rambam.

The Rebbe also said that in our generation there is already someone who is 'bechezkas Moshiach'.