Jewish Concepts

The Jewish Concept of Messiah and the Jewish Response to Christian Claims

1) The word "Messiah" is an English rendering of the Hebrew word " Mashiach", whose translation is "Anointed". It usually refers to a person initiated into G-d's service by being anointed with oil. (Having oil poured on his head. Cf. Exodus 29:7, I Kings 1:39, II Kings 9:3).

2) There are many Messiahs in the Bible. Since every King and High Priest was anointed with oil, each may be referred to as "an anointed one" (a Mashiach or a Messiah). For example: "G-d forbid that I [David] should stretch out my hand against the L-rd's Messiah [Saul]..." I Samuel 26:11. Cf. II Samuel 23:1, Isaiah 45:1, Psalms 20:6.

The Messianic Age

"I Believe With Complete Faith In The Coming Of The Messiah...."

(from the Thirteen Principles of Faith)

What Judaism Teaches About The Messianic Age

What does Judaism have to say about the messianic age?
What sort of person will the Messiah be?
What is the purpose of a "messianic age"?
Why did G-D allow the belief in false messiahs to spread?

The Messiah in Jewish Tradition

The Jewish tradition of "The Messiah" has its foundation in numerous biblical references, and understands "The Messiah" to be a human being - without any overtone of deity or divinity - who will bring about certain changes in the world and fulfill certain criteria before he can be acknowledged as "The Messiah".