What do Jews believe about the Messiah?

A human leader

The word mashiach means “anointed” – as kings of Israel were anointed with oil. In Jewish sources the Messiah is not divine; he is a descendant of King David, wise and devoted to the Torah. Isaiah describes him: “A shoot shall grow out of the stump of Jesse… the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:1–2).

How he will be recognised

Maimonides gives a practical test. A king from David’s house who studies Torah, keeps the commandments and leads Israel in keeping them, and fights the battles of God, is presumed to be the Messiah. If he then succeeds – rebuilds the Temple and gathers the dispersed of Israel – he is certainly the Messiah. If he does not succeed, or is killed, he was not the one promised.

The messianic age

Maimonides stresses that the laws of nature will not change: the world continues as normal, but without war, hunger or oppression, and with people free to study and to know God, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

When?

The Talmud discourages calculating dates. Jews express the hope in prayer every day – in the Amidah and in Maimonides’ principle “I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah… and though he may tarry, I will wait for him every day.”