They’ll behave around the non-Orthodox, but among themselves, Orthodox Jews just love to talk about the Messiah.

First let’s get his name straight.  His Hebrew name is “Mashiach.”  Actually, it’s not his name at all,  but just a nickname.  Mashiach is Hebrew for – wait for it – “the anointed one.”  (Messianic Jews got it from somewhere, see?)

Now let’s discuss who he is, then we’ll talk about why we are waiting for him, and finally I’ll do the big reveal: why do we talk about it so much??

WHO HE IS

The Messiah is not some angel or robot or flaming knight in shining armor.  He is probably most similar to King Solomon.  He is a human, a Jew, born of a woman, of the King David family line on his father’s side, who will be an incredibly spiritually inspiring leader, king, and rabbi among the Jewish people.  He will diplomatically restore peace to the Land of Israel, and, perhaps even more miraculously, be accepted by every faction of the Jewish people.

(This is not science fiction so please don’t stop reading yet.)

Over time, he will lead the Jews back to Israel and usher in an era of world peace and spiritual clarity.



WHY WE ARE WAITING FOR HIM

To some degree this is already obvious.  But Judaism teaches that all of our physical ailments and spiritual obstacles will disappear under the leadership of the Messiah, so add that for extra incentive.  The Jewish people will be respected deeply as moral beacons (not science fiction I said) and God’s love will be patently obvious.

Personality disturbances, mental illness, and financial problems will cease to be an issue.  The Jewish people will continue to live and die and have families as usual, but “the world will be filled with the knowledge of God as water covers the sea.”  Thus, religious conflicts will vanish as well.  It will become easy to reach our potential.  Hopelessness and ambiguity will be shined away by the light of joy and clarity.

WHY WE TALK ABOUT HIM A LOT

Here are some common phrases one might use:

  • “We really need Mashiach” [in the context of a tragedy or crisis].
  • “Can you believe that in 20 years I’ll be almost 60?  Mashiach should be here by then!”
  • “Next time we meet may it be to greet Mashiach” [commonly said as the closing of a bar mitzvah or other Jewish occasion speech].



I’ll add here, in the interest of full disclosure, that not all Orthodox Jews are equally comfortable discussing the Messiah.  Some are very open and “out there” about his future appearance, and others are more subtle in their expression.


But part of why this is so key to being Orthodox is that it appears in Maimonides’ “13 Principles of Faith” and thus is a core tenet in Torah observance.  Orthodox Jews also believe that the arrival of the Messiah is an occasion of historical closure, ending religious ambiguity and discomfort of all kinds.  It is the culmination of our hopes and dreams and is deeply important in every matter that is dear to us.  And that is why we talk about it a lot.

WHAT ABOUT NOW?

Now we are in an era of “pre-Messianic times.”  The sources have some chilling things to say about the era just prior to the arrival of the Messiah.  Here are some:

1. There will be a plethora of chutzpah.
2. Costs will soar.
3. Parents will be subservient to their children instead of children being subservient to their parents.
4. People will turn to alcohol to drown their
pain.
5. Common sense will be rare.
6. Ambiguity will replace clarity.

To me these Talmudic words are prophetic.

I’ll close with the words of Maimonides (upon whose works most of this post is based):

“I believe with a complete faith in the arrival of the Messiah.  And even though he delays, with all this I await him every day, that he may come.”

Did you know that these beliefs were a part of Judaism?  What are your thoughts on the subject?