Individual Messiah: Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah will be a specific human male descendant of King David. He is not divine, but he will possess extraordinary leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the Torah.
Supernatural Elements: While human, the Messiah is expected to have 'superhuman' abilities to bring about the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment of humanity at the end of the world.
Active Role: The Messiah's arrival is a prerequisite for the Messianic Age. He will personally lead the Jewish people back to Israel, rebuild the Temple, and restore the Davidic monarchy to rule with justice and righteousness.
Messianic Age as Metaphor: Many Reform Jews do not believe in a literal, individual Messiah. Instead, they view the 'Messiah' as a metaphor for a future era of peace and social justice that humanity must work together to create.
Human Responsibility: Rather than waiting for a divinely appointed leader to fix the world, Reform Judaism emphasizes that human beings are responsible for bringing about the Messianic Age through acts of kindness (Gemilut Hasadim) and social repair (Tikkun Olam).
Rejection of Resurrection: Reform perspectives generally reject the idea of a physical resurrection of the dead or a literal rebuilding of the Temple, viewing these instead as symbolic of spiritual enlightenment and universal brotherhood.
| Feature | Orthodox View | Reform View |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A specific human descendant of King David | A symbolic era of peace and justice |
| Arrival | Initiated by God through the Messiah | Achieved through collective human action |
| Temple | Literal physical rebuilding in Jerusalem | Metaphor for following God's laws |
| Resurrection | Physical resurrection of the dead | Generally not believed or seen as symbolic |
Distinguish from Christianity: Always remember that in Judaism, the Messiah is a human leader, not a divine being or a 'Son of God'. Using terms like 'divine' to describe the Jewish Messiah is a common error that loses marks.
Use Key Terminology: Ensure you use the term Mashiach and explain its meaning as 'anointed one'. Mentioning King David as the required ancestor is essential for describing the Orthodox view.
Compare and Contrast: Exam questions often ask for the difference between Jewish denominations. Be prepared to explain how the Orthodox focus on an individual contrasts with the Reform focus on collective human action.
Scriptural Support: Referencing the concept of the 'End of Days' or the '13 Principles' provides strong evidence for the importance of this belief in Jewish tradition.
