What to Expect from the REAL Moshiach!

Summary

This video explores the Jewish belief in Moshiach (the Messiah) as a fundamental principle of Judaism, particularly drawing from Maimonides’ teachings. The speaker explains that belief in Moshiach is one of the 13 Principles of Faith and is so central that denying it is considered a rejection of Torah and all Jewish prophecy. However, the speaker notes that this belief became controversial and largely suppressed after the false messiah Shabbetai Tzvi in the 17th century, who deceived many Jews and caused tremendous suffering when exposed as a charlatan.

The speaker discusses how the Rebbe of Lubavitch revived open discussion of Moshiach in the early 1980s, insisting that belief must be active and anticipatory—not merely passive acknowledgment. The key insight is that many Jews struggle with genuine belief in Moshiach because they don’t actually understand what it means or entails. The speaker argues that just as one must learn the laws of Shabbat to observe it properly, one must study the laws and concepts of Moshiach to truly believe. He emphasizes that when times are good, people often suppress this belief because they fear the unknown changes Moshiach’s arrival might bring.

Key Takeaways

• Belief in Moshiach is a fundamental principle of Judaism (one of Maimonides’ 13 Principles), and denying it is considered a rejection of the entire Torah and all Jewish prophecy
• True belief in Moshiach requires both intellectual acceptance AND active, moment-to-moment expectation that he could arrive at any time
• The false messiah Shabbetai Tzvi (17th century) caused such trauma to the Jewish people that belief in Moshiach became a taboo topic in Orthodox communities for centuries
• Many Jews avoid genuinely believing in or discussing Moshiach because they don’t understand what it truly means and fear how it would disrupt their comfortable lives
• Learning the proper laws and concepts of Moshiach is essential—just as with other mitzvot—to maintain authentic faith rather than empty words

Key Questions Addressed

• Why is belief in Moshiach so fundamental to Judaism that denying it equals rejecting the entire Torah?
• What happened with Shabbetai Tzvi and why did his false messianism traumatize the Jewish community so deeply?
• What is the difference between passively saying “I believe in Moshiach” and actively awaiting his arrival?
• Why are many Jews, especially in prosperous times, reluctant to genuinely believe in or discuss Moshiach?
• How can one develop true, meaningful belief in Moshiach rather than superficial acknowledgment?

Keywords

Moshiach, Messianic belief, Maimonides (Rambam), 13 Principles of Faith, Shabbetai Tzvi, False messiah, Lubavitch, The Rebbe, Jewish faith, Torah, Redemption, Messianic age, Belief and expectation, Jewish law, Maimonides’ Laws of Kings