Melech HaMashiach: Difference between revisions
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==== "King" Moshiach ==== | ==== "King" Moshiach ==== | ||
''Expanded topic - The Kingship of the King Messiah'' | ''Expanded topic - [[The Kingship of the King Messiah]]'' | ||
From the verses of the Torah and the prophecies of the prophets, we learn that the Messiah will be a king. His kingship is the essence of his existence (to the point that the very existence of Messiah is the exaltation of his kingship and not merely a quality or title that he bears) because according to halacha, the meaning of the coming of Messiah is not only a good destiny, but a time when the eternity of the Torah and its complete fulfillment will be actualized through the restoration of kingship to Israel. His kingship will be at the height of perfection in all areas. | From the verses of the Torah and the prophecies of the prophets, we learn that the Messiah will be a king. His kingship is the essence of his existence (to the point that the very existence of Messiah is the exaltation of his kingship and not merely a quality or title that he bears) because according to halacha, the meaning of the coming of Messiah is not only a good destiny, but a time when the eternity of the Torah and its complete fulfillment will be actualized through the restoration of kingship to Israel. His kingship will be at the height of perfection in all areas. | ||
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==== Builder of the Temple ==== | ==== Builder of the Temple ==== | ||
''Expanded topic - The Third Temple'' | ''Expanded topic - [[The Third Temple]]'' | ||
Regarding the building of the Third Temple, there are differing midrashim of our Sages. In various places it is said that it will descend already built from heaven. In other places it is written that it will be built by the Jewish people. The Rambam rules that part of the Messiah's actions (which is also part of the identifying details of who is the Messiah) is building the Temple. | Regarding the building of the Third Temple, there are differing midrashim of our Sages. In various places it is said that it will descend already built from heaven. In other places it is written that it will be built by the Jewish people. The Rambam rules that part of the Messiah's actions (which is also part of the identifying details of who is the Messiah) is building the Temple. | ||
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==== Gathering the Dispersed of Israel ==== | ==== Gathering the Dispersed of Israel ==== | ||
''Expanded topic - Ingathering of the Exiles'' | ''Expanded topic - [[Ingathering of the Exiles]]'' | ||
The King Messiah will return all the Jewish people from the ends of the earth to their land. Because of this function he is called a "star". This action will specifically take place after the building of the Temple. | The King Messiah will return all the Jewish people from the ends of the earth to their land. Because of this function he is called a "star". This action will specifically take place after the building of the Temple. | ||
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==== "Rabbi" - Teacher of Torah ==== | ==== "Rabbi" - Teacher of Torah ==== | ||
''Expanded topic - | ''Expanded topic - [[Moshiach's Torah - Torosoh Shel Moshiach]]'' | ||
In addition to being a "king," the Messiah will also be a rabbi who will teach Torah to all the Jewish people, as the Rambam states: | In addition to being a "king," the Messiah will also be a rabbi who will teach Torah to all the Jewish people, as the Rambam states: | ||
"That king who will arise from the seed of David will be wiser than Solomon. And he will be a great prophet, close to the level of Moses our teacher. Therefore, he will teach all the people and instruct them in the way of God. And all the nations will come to hear him." | "That king who will arise from the seed of [[King David|David]] will be wiser than Solomon. And he will be a great prophet, close to the level of Moses our teacher. Therefore, he will teach all the people and instruct them in the way of God. And all the nations will come to hear him." | ||
Through Messiah, the root of the Torah will be revealed as it is above the root of Atzilus - Chochmah Stimaah, which is the inner secrets, mysteries, and reasons of the Torah. Messiah, who will reveal the Torah as it is in its root in the Essence of the Creator, will reveal it in a manner of sight, as the verse states: "Your eyes shall see your teacher," and in this he will reveal the essence of the Torah that will be revealed to all Israel equally. This is why one of the prophecies is that "they shall not teach each man his neighbor... for they shall all know Me" (and this aspect is also related to Messiah being a "king" because his teaching of the people is not through knowledge and comprehension but through sight, "in the light of the king's countenance"). Through teaching in this manner, he will be able to teach all of Israel. | Through Messiah, the root of the Torah will be revealed as it is above the root of Atzilus - Chochmah Stimaah, which is the inner secrets, mysteries, and reasons of the Torah. Messiah, who will reveal the Torah as it is in its root in the Essence of the Creator, will reveal it in a manner of sight, as the verse states: "Your eyes shall see your teacher," and in this he will reveal the essence of the Torah that will be revealed to all Israel equally. This is why one of the prophecies is that "they shall not teach each man his neighbor... for they shall all know Me" (and this aspect is also related to Messiah being a "king" because his teaching of the people is not through knowledge and comprehension but through sight, "in the light of the king's countenance"). Through teaching in this manner, he will be able to teach all of Israel. | ||
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This revelation will come through the King Messiah because the root of Messiah's soul is from the inner dimension of Atik Yomin, from the Essence of the Creator. However, along with this, while he will bestow knowledge and Torah upon the Jewish people, he himself will be elevated above them because "to him personally much more will be revealed without end or limit than what he will be able to reveal to the people," and because of this, he will be king over them and exalted above them. | This revelation will come through the King Messiah because the root of Messiah's soul is from the inner dimension of Atik Yomin, from the Essence of the Creator. However, along with this, while he will bestow knowledge and Torah upon the Jewish people, he himself will be elevated above them because "to him personally much more will be revealed without end or limit than what he will be able to reveal to the people," and because of this, he will be king over them and exalted above them. | ||
For this role and function, Messiah is described as "nasi" (prince/leader) and by the title "rabbi" and is even called "shepherd." For this reason, his leadership is attributed to King David because specifically in King David did kingship shine in an internal manner. | For this role and function, Messiah is described as "[[nasi]]" (prince/leader) and by the title "rabbi" and is even called "shepherd." For this reason, his leadership is attributed to King David because specifically in King David did kingship shine in an internal manner. | ||
However, this function is not his main purpose. His main aspect is being a "king," and nevertheless, after he completes his role as king "to break the arm of the wicked" and "to repair the world," his main activity will be teaching Torah to all the people, and then his main purpose will be to teach Torah to all the people. | However, this function is not his main purpose. His main aspect is being a "king," and nevertheless, after he completes his role as king "to break the arm of the wicked" and "to repair the world," his main activity will be teaching Torah to all the people, and then his main purpose will be to teach Torah to all the people. | ||
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==== Moshiach During the Exile ==== | ==== Moshiach During the Exile ==== | ||
''Extended article - Moshiach of Each Generation'' | ''Extended article - [[Moshiach of Each Generation]]'' | ||
Moshiach is a person born of a woman who exists in the time and place of exile and suffers from the exile. When the time comes, he reveals himself to the Jewish people, reigns over them, and redeems them (as explained below). The Gemara describes that already on the 9th of Av during the destruction of the Holy Temple, the first righteous person with messianic potential was born (his conception began on the date when the siege of Jerusalem started, the 10th of Tevet). This "birth" refers to the state where Moshiach is ready to be revealed and redeem the Jewish people. | Moshiach is a person born of a woman who exists in the time and place of exile and suffers from the exile. When the time comes, he reveals himself to the Jewish people, reigns over them, and redeems them (as explained below). The Gemara describes that already on the 9th of Av during the destruction of the Holy Temple, the first righteous person with messianic potential was born (his conception began on the date when the siege of Jerusalem started, the 10th of Tevet). This "birth" refers to the state where Moshiach is ready to be revealed and redeem the Jewish people. | ||
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==== His Revelation ==== | ==== His Revelation ==== | ||
''Extended articles - Presumed Moshiach, Definite Moshiach'' | ''Extended articles - [[Presumed Moshiach]], [[Moshiach Vadai|Definite Moshiach]]'' | ||
The Rambam in his rulings describes the manner of Moshiach's revelation and his identification by the people. According to his description, there will be two stages in his appearance: Initially, there will be preliminary signs of his kingship, his compatibility with the basic requirements needed from him at this stage makes him "presumed to be Moshiach." However, in this state he is not yet 'Moshiach' because these actions are actions of all kings of Israel. Only afterward, with the completion of Moshiach's tasks, will it become clear that he is "definitely Moshiach" who has redeemed Israel. | The Rambam in his rulings describes the manner of Moshiach's revelation and his identification by the people. According to his description, there will be two stages in his appearance: Initially, there will be preliminary signs of his kingship, his compatibility with the basic requirements needed from him at this stage makes him "presumed to be Moshiach." However, in this state he is not yet 'Moshiach' because these actions are actions of all kings of Israel. Only afterward, with the completion of Moshiach's tasks, will it become clear that he is "definitely Moshiach" who has redeemed Israel. | ||
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== Eternal life == | == Eternal life == | ||
''Extended article - Eternal life of King Moshiach'' | ''Extended article - [[Eternal life of King Moshiach]]'' | ||
King Moshiach has eternal life. The Ramban writes that he will live "forever," "will never die," and even "will not taste death," because "The Holy One, blessed be He, gives him a cup of the elixir of life." | King Moshiach has eternal life. The Ramban writes that he will live "forever," "will never die," and even "will not taste death," because "The Holy One, blessed be He, gives him a cup of the elixir of life." | ||
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== Faith in Moshiach == | == Faith in Moshiach == | ||
''Extended article - Faith in the coming of Moshiach'' | ''Extended article - [[Faith in the coming of Moshiach]]'' | ||
Faith in the coming of Moshiach (and the complete redemption) is obligatory for every Jew. This faith includes believing that his arrival is possible at any moment and anticipating his coming. The Rambam explains in his commentary on the Mishnayot that in addition to "believing and affirming that he will come," one should also "not think that he will be delayed" - the believer should not make calculations that would distance the time of Moshiach's coming. And since no specific time has been set for his arrival, one must anticipate him at all times. | Faith in the coming of Moshiach (and the complete redemption) is obligatory for every Jew. This faith includes believing that his arrival is possible at any moment and anticipating his coming. The Rambam explains in his commentary on the Mishnayot that in addition to "believing and affirming that he will come," one should also "not think that he will be delayed" - the believer should not make calculations that would distance the time of Moshiach's coming. And since no specific time has been set for his arrival, one must anticipate him at all times. | ||
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* [[Geulah - Redemption|Geulah (Redemption)]] | * [[Geulah - Redemption|Geulah (Redemption)]] | ||
* [[The Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach|The Lubavitcher Rebbe as King Moshiach]] | * [[The Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach|The Lubavitcher Rebbe as King Moshiach]] | ||
* King | * [[King]] | ||
* Anticipation for redemption | * [[Anticipation for redemption]] | ||
* Spark of Moshiach | * [[Spark of Moshiach]] | ||
* [[Moshiach ben Yosef]] | * [[Moshiach ben Yosef]] | ||