Key beliefs in JudaismMessiah

Jews believe in one God, who created the world. Jews believe that they have a special relationship with God because of covenants they have made with him, which began with God’s promise to Abraham.

Part of Religious StudiesJudaism

Messiah

Many Jews today believe that God will one day send a who will lead the world into an age of peace and understanding. The word Messiah, which is Mashiach in Hebrew, means ‘ one’. It comes from the time when kings were anointed as a sign of their God-given power.

Characteristics of the Messiah

The Book of Jeremiah in the states that the Messiah will be a great leader descended from .

The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely.
— Jeremiah 23:5

The teaches that the Messiah will be a political leader and judge. He will create a fair government in Israel, which will become a centre for all politics worldwide.

Many Jews believe that when the Messiah comes, he will:

  • Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Bring about the end of war so that everyone can live in peace.
  • Unite all people regardless of differences like religion or culture.
  • Bring a true awareness of God to all people.
  • Signal the end of the world.

Jews use the Hebrew term , which means ‘the world to come’, to refer to the time after the Messiah’s arrival, which is also called the Messianic Age.

Orthodox and Reform Jewish views on the Messiah

As with many teachings and beliefs in Judaism, there are different ideas among Jews regarding the Messiah and the Messianic Age:

Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah
The Messianic Age will only start after the Messiah’s arrival on Earth. It is therefore important for Jews to pray for the Messiah, also known as the ‘redeemer’, to come. Human beings are responsible for bringing peace to the world. Instead of praying for a Messiah, Jews should pray for a Messianic Age, which will be an age of peace. Reform Jews pray for redemption rather than for a ‘redeemer’.
The Messiah will be a human being descended from King David, although he will have superhuman qualities and abilities. There will not necessarily be a person who is the Messiah.
In the Messianic Age, Jews will triumph over the enemies of Israel leading to the destruction of weapons and people living in peace. Humans can bring on the Messianic Age by joining together to create a better world. The Messianic Age will not bring about conflict, but peace and understanding between all people.
The Messianic Age will be a sign of the end of the world and the physical resurrection of the dead. Many Reform Jews do not believe that there will be an end to the world, or that the dead will be resurrected.
The Messiah will rebuild the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and restore the authority to rule over Israel to the descendants of King David. The rebuilding of the Temple is a metaphor for the Messianic Age where there is peace and all people know God and follow his commandments.
Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah The Messianic Age will only start after the Messiah’s arrival on Earth. It is therefore important for Jews to pray for the Messiah, also known as the ‘redeemer’, to come.
Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah Human beings are responsible for bringing peace to the world. Instead of praying for a Messiah, Jews should pray for a Messianic Age, which will be an age of peace. Reform Jews pray for redemption rather than for a ‘redeemer’.
Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah The Messiah will be a human being descended from King David, although he will have superhuman qualities and abilities.
Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah There will not necessarily be a person who is the Messiah.
Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah In the Messianic Age, Jews will triumph over the enemies of Israel leading to the destruction of weapons and people living in peace.
Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah Humans can bring on the Messianic Age by joining together to create a better world. The Messianic Age will not bring about conflict, but peace and understanding between all people.
Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah The Messianic Age will be a sign of the end of the world and the physical resurrection of the dead.
Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah Many Reform Jews do not believe that there will be an end to the world, or that the dead will be resurrected.
Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the Messiah The Messiah will rebuild the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and restore the authority to rule over Israel to the descendants of King David.
Reform Jewish beliefs about the Messiah The rebuilding of the Temple is a metaphor for the Messianic Age where there is peace and all people know God and follow his commandments.

Question

Many Jews believe that the Messiah will be a descendent of which person?

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