In this series
(For previous articles in this series, see here and here.)
In antisemistic environments, Talmud study helped keep Judaism alive. Boys and men, especially the smartest, established a virtual reality. Talmud exegesis became a form of mental ski jumping that trained the mind to stay focused and the body to be poised yet relaxed, regardless of the buffeting winds. But did it offer hope?
The Talmud still trains intellects. In theory, it builds a wall far from the border of improper conduct so no one will wander into sin. Yet anyone observing human nature sees that all sin and fall short of the glory of God. At one point the apostle Paul cried, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me fromthis body of death?” (Rom. 7:24, ESV). When that realization hits, what then?
Up to the destruction of the temple in AD 70, Israelites transferred the sin to an innocent animal, a scapegoat, and slaughtered the beast in the temple as payment for transgression. But the sacrifices stopped when the temple was destroyed. Even with all the precautions the Talmudists took, it was still likely that everyone at some time would break God’s law. How, then, could people be saved?
Christians have an answer to that problem: Christ’s sacrifice is the good-for-all-time safety net that animal sacrifices once were. The Talmud offers the alternative answer of setting up barriers so far away from the real barriers that humans could ensure they usually wouldn’t break the commands. But some rabbis suggested a third alternative: Yes, humans will inevitably mess up, but repentance, prayer, and changed behavior can make up for that. A finalist for Jewish GOAT (greatest of all time) said so.
In Judaism, Abraham, Moses, and David are prime GOAT contenders. The MVP of the past 2,000 years is probably Maimonides (1135–1204). He developed a list of 13 principles of faith that he said are the minimal requirements for Jewish belief. Over the centuries they gained wide acceptance, similar in some ways to the Nicene Creed in Christianity, the Five Pillars of Islam, or the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism.
The principles include these: God exists. He is one and unique. He has no body. He is eternal. Prayer should be direct and directed to God alone. God gave Moses the written Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the oral Torah (the Talmud). God knows the thoughts and deeds of every person. God will reward the good and punish the wicked. The messiah will come. The dead will be resurrected.
Back up for a minute. Maimonides’s 12th principle is “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of mashiach, and though he may tarry, still I await him every day.” Mashiach, commonly translated as “messiah”? Yes. Many Jews, like Christians, await the coming of a messiah. The difference is in not just the number of visits but the concept itself. The mashiach (pronounced ma-SHEE-ak) is not a divine savior and does not sacrifice himself to pay for the sins of others.
So what is he? Judaism has no set doctrine of this, and messianic anticipation, while certainly present, is not at the center of modern Jewish life. Jewish and Christian categories do not translate easily—or at all—into each other. Typically, though, Jews picture the mashiach as a great leader who is also learned and wise.
Many leading rabbis believe the time of the mashiach’s return depends on the conduct of mankind. Some say he will come when things are getting worse (to save the day), and some when things are getting better (as a reward). He could be from the living or, according to views in the Talmud, possibly even from the dead—maybe David or Daniel. Orthodox Jews believe the prophet Elijah, taken to heaven alive, will return to announce the mashiach’s imminent appearance.
When the mashiach comes, Jews will return to Israel, wickedness will decrease, Jerusalem will be rebuilt, religious courts of justice will be reestablished, and a descendant of King David will be enthroned. Jerusalem will be a focus for international monotheistic reverence. All nations will be at peace with one another. Temple worship will be restored with new thanksgiving sacrifices but without sin offerings, which will not be needed because sin will have vanished. Elijah will answer all questions about doctrine and will show who has the right ancestry to be the high priest in resumed temple worship.
Maimonides wrote that in this messianic age men will be neither immortal nor transported to paradise. Instead, Jews will live in Israel under a great king known throughout the world, with nations living in peace. Although some will still be rich and others poor, wars will no longer rage, and people will be able to study philosophy and God’s laws. The mashiach eventually will die, but his son will succeed him as Israel’s king.
When? Speculation abounds. Over the centuries some said the mashiach would come if Israel repented for even a single day or observed even one or two Sabbaths properly. Others said he would come when a generation lost hope. In recent years Zionists have thought the creation of Israel as an independent country showed the importance of human effort. A better life in America made both repentance and hopelessness less likely for a time. Many examine current events.
Overall, Jewish and Christian theologies share some Scriptures but are radically different. Jews do not regard Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, and Christians agree that Christ is not the mashiach of Talmudic study. He rode on a donkey, not a stallion. Jews are right to long for an era of God-fearing world peace. Christians see God through Christ’s sacrifice bringing about that—and more—at a future date.
