What is the Jewish Concept of Moshiach (the Jewish Messiah)?

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Belief in the eventual coming of the Moshiach is a basic and fundamental teaching of traditional Judaism. It is one of the Rambam's famous 13 Principles of Faith, and something all Jews pray for three times a day.

The following is an overview of important teachings regarding Moshiach and what our generation needs to accomplish to make Moshiach and the Torah-promised Redemption a reality. 

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Who Is Moshiach?

The Messianic Redemption will be ushered in by a person, a human leader, a descendant of Kings David and Solomon, who will reinstate the Davidic royal dynasty. According to tradition, Moshiach will be wiser than Solomon, and a prophet around the level of Moses.

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Ever since the destruction of the Holy Temple, in every generation there is an individual, a scion of the House of David, who has the potential to be the Moshiach. If at any moment the Jews are worthy of redemption, this person would be directed from Above to assume the role of the redeemer.

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What Will Happen When Moshiach Comes?

One of the most important aspects of the Redemption is the promise of the ingathering of the exiles from the Diaspora, with all Jews settling in their tribal portion of the Holy Land. We are assured that no Jew will be left behind—including the Ten "Lost Tribes."

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The Holy Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans, will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, becoming the central focus of all humanity—as Isaiah says, "My home will be considered a 'House of Prayer' for all the nations."

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Total Immersion in G‑dly Wisdom

The Messianic Era will be one of tremendous prosperity—"delicacies will be commonplace like dust." That will leave humankind with ample free time—and all the nations of the world will be preoccupied with one pursuit: the study of G‑d and the Torah. Moshiach will reveal profound hitherto unknown dimensions of the Torah. The Midrash goes as far as to say that "the Torah which we study in this world is naught in comparison to the Torah of Moshiach."

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Furthermore, while our present-day knowledge of G‑d is limited to intellectual perception, when Moshiach will teach about G‑d, we will actually "see" what we are studying.