Messiah 1

FAITH IN REDEMPTION

Faith in the coming of the Messiah has accompanied the Jewish people since the beginning of their existence. It is mentioned countless times in the Torah, the books of the prophets, the Mishnah, and the Talmud. In practice, it is also included in the 13 tenets of Jewish faith, which everyone must believe, and without faith in these tenets, we would not be described as "believers.".
Maimonides lists faith in redemption as the twelfth principle of the Jewish faith. In many Jewish communities, it is customary to say every day after prayers: "I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and even if he is delayed, I will await him every day he comes.""
In the Sefer Mitzvot Katan (in the first positive mitzvah), this principle of faith is included as an inseparable part of the first commandment: "I am God..." And this is the text: "The sages said, when they ask a person at the end of their life: 'Did you wait for redemption?' And where is this mitzvah written? The answer is: Just as we believe that He brought us out of Egypt, 'I am God, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt...' I also want you to believe in Me, that I am God your God, and in the future I will gather you and save you.""

PROPHECIES AND PROMISES

The theme of redemption is woven throughout the entire Written and Oral Torah. The Written Torah contains many prophecies and promises concerning redemption. For example, at the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses prophesies what will happen to the people of Israel in the future: their exile and dispersion to all corners of the earth. He then prophesies their redemption, in which all the dispersed will return and be gathered to the land of Israel: "The Lord your God will return to your captives and have compassion on you. He will return and gather you from all the nations where the Lord your God scattered you.".
Balaam's prophecy speaks quite explicitly about the reign of the Messiah, who will appear and shine like a star suddenly illuminating the heavens. The books of the prophets are filled with countless prophecies about redemption. Among the prophets, Isaiah stands out, deserving the title "Prophet of Salvation" because he recounts in great detail the final days of the exile, the days of redemption, and the rise and actions of the Messiah.

A FAITH THAT GIVES STRENGTH

Thus, faith in redemption permeates the entire Jewish tradition like a guiding thread. Its centrality in Judaism becomes clear when we delve into the prayer books, which are overflowing with references to redemption. Three times a day we recite the Amidah, a central and vital prayer in which we ask for our needs. This prayer contains 19 blessings, six of which express different aspects of redemption: the gathering of the dispersed of Israel, the return of the Sanhedrin, the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, the coming of the Messiah, the return of the Temple service, and the Divine presence in Zion, among others. Three times a day we pray: "May the descendant of David flourish swiftly... for we await his salvation every day.".
Faith in redemption is what gave strength and encouragement to the people of Israel, even in the darkest and most difficult moments of history. Even in the extermination camps, our brothers sang, "I believe in the coming of the Messiah." And with this, they expressed tremendous faith and hope. We must immerse ourselves in this faith, understand its centrality in daily Jewish life, study its meaning, and await the great moment that will soon be realized.

(Sijat HaShavua, Chabad Israel)