The Messiah

• "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah" - Thirteen Principles Number 12
• Messiah comes from the Hebrew word mashiach, which means ‘anointed one’ or someone who is chosen to rule.
• Jews believe that the Messiah will come to Earth to bring a time of perfect peace and prosperity called the Messianic Age.
• Qualities of the Messiah:

  According to the Torah, the Messiah will be:

  • a male descendant of the Jewish King David
  • human - he will have a human birth and human parents
  • a perfect teacher of God’s law
  • a great political leader - inspirational and a good judge
  • able to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
  • ruler over humanity - but he will rule with kindness
  • the bringer of peace to the world
  • able to unite humanity
• Some Jews believe that God has already decided when the Messiah will appear on Earth but that the exact date is unknown to humans.
• Others agree that the Messiah will come to Earth but only when humans have proved themselves to be worthy of him by improving their actions and behaviour.
• A few think that he will appear when humanity is most in need.
• The Torah advises Jews that the Prophet Elijah will appear on Earth just before the Messiah arrives and that the dead will rise from their graves.
• Some Reform Jews reject the idea of a Messiah as an actual person. They do not believe that the leadership of one person is required to achieve a Messianic Age.
• Instead, Reform Jews believe that ordinary people have the power to bring about a peaceful and prosperous age by carrying out good actions.
• During this time, people will live in peace, all Jews will return to Israel and all people will turn to the Jewish god as the one true God.
• Food and water will be plentiful, crops will grow with high yields and animals will not prey on each other.