Real Messiahs, False Messiahs, and Half-Messiahs: Apocalypticism and Messianism in Early Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich SVAJ Intellectual History Series April 29, 2018

Timeline

587-586 BCE Babylonians destroy the Jerusalem Temple; Babylonian Exile complete 539-538 Persia destroys the Babylonian Empire; allows Judeans to return 515 Building of the is complete 334-333 Persian Period ends; Alexander the Great defeats Persia and the Hellenist Period begins 200 has been mainly controlled by Ptolemies (Egyptian Greeks); it now comes under the control of Seleucids (Syrian Greeks) 175-164 Hasmonean Rebellion 103–76 rules Judea 99–93 Civil war in Judea between rebels against Alexander Jannaeus and his supporters; as many as 50,000 people are killed; Jannaeus finally suppresses this rebellion and crucifies 800 () 76–67 Alexandra reigns as Queen of Judea 63 Hasmonean period ends; Judea becomes a client kingdom of Rome c.37–4 Herod reigns Judea c. 20 Philo of Alexandria is born 6 CE Judea becomes a province of Rome c. 32 Jesus is crucified by the Romans 38–41 Riots against the Jews in Alexandria, supported by Flaccus, the governor, and largely ignored by Gaius Caligula, the emperor c. 40 Philo of Alexandria writes Embassy to Gaius 66–73 The Jews rebel against Rome; the Jerusalem Temple is destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE; the rebellion is fully quelled three years later 115–118 Jewish rebellions against Roman rule crop up throughout the empire, leaving Jewish communities, particularly those in the vicinity of Alexandria, devastated 132–135 The Bar Kokhba revolt, which results in the Jews’ expulsion from Jerusalem; Rabbinic community moves to Yavneh and the Galilee c. 200 The Mishnah, first Rabbinic code of law, is written down 5th cent. The Jerusalem Talmud is edited and redacted 6th cent. The Babylonian Talmud is edited and redacted (it will still be subject to small revisions over the next three centuries)

1 Half Messiahs

1. Daniel 7:13–14, 23–27

גי הֵזָח וֲה ,תיֵ וְזֶחְבּ יֵ ,אָיְליֵל וּרֲאַו םִע - נֲע נָ יֵ ,אָיַּמְשׁ רַבְכּ נֱא שָׁ הֵתָא וֲה ;אָ דַעְ ו - קיִתַּע אָיַּמוֹי ,הָטְמ יִהוֹמָדְקוּ די הֵּלְו בִהְי ,ןָטְלָשׁ רָקיִו ,וּכְלַמוּ לֹכְו אָיַּמְמַע אָיַּמֻּא ,אָיַּנָשִּׁלְו הֵּל ;ןוּחְלְפִי הֵּנָטְלָשׁ ןָטְלָשׁ ַלָע ,ם ִ דּ י - אָל ,הֵדְּעֶי . יִהוּבְרְקַה . מוּ ַ ְ ל תוּכ ,הֵּ ִ דּ י - אָל לַבַּחְתִת אָל גכ ,ןֵכּ ,רַמֲא אָתְויֵח יָעיִבְר ,אָתְ וּכְלַמ היעיבר ָאָעיִבְר( )ה וֱהֶ תּ אֵ אְ ב רַ עְ אָ יִ דּ שִׁ ת נְ אֵ ןִ מ - לָכּ - וְכְלַמ ;אָתָ ,לֻכאֵתְ ו לָכּ - ,אָעְרַא דכ אָיַּנְרַקְו רַשֲׂע -- הַּנִּמ ,אָתוּכְלַמ הָרְשַׂע ןיִכְלַמ ;ןוּמֻקְי ןָרֳחָאְו םוּקְי ,ןֹהיֵרֲחַא אוּהְו אֵנְשִׁי ןִמ - ,אֵיָמְדַק . תוּ נִּשׁוּדְ ,הַּ דַּתְ ו נִּקְ הַּ ְִדּת הּ ִוְּת הכ ,ןיִלִּמוּ דַצְל אילע ע( )הָאָלִּ ,לִלַּמְ י דַּקְלוּ יֵשׁיִ נוֹיְלֶע ,ןיִ ;אֵלַּבְ י יְ ו ,רַבְּסִ נְשַׁהְל יָ הָ נְמִ ז ןיִ דְ ו ,תָ יְ ו ִ ןוּבֲהַיְת . תוּ ְ ָ ל ָ ת ה כְלַמ ,ןיִ פְּשַׁהְ י לִ ְְַי,י ְַ זכ מוּ ַ ְ ל תוּכ אָ ְ ו ָ שׁ ְ ל ָ ט ָ נ א . וכ ,אָניִדְו ;בִתִּי הֵּנָטְלָשְׁו ,ןוֹדְּעַהְי הָדָמְשַׁהְל הָדָבוֹהְלוּ דַע - וֹס ָ פ א . ,הֵּדיִבּ דַע - ןָדִּע ןיִנָדִּעְו גַלְפוּ ןָדִּע גַלְפוּ ןיִנָדִּעְו ןָדִּע רוּ תוּבְ ,אָ ִ דּ י ַ מ ְ ל ְ כ תָ ו תוֹחְ תּ ָ כּ ל - ,אָיַּמְשׁ ,תַביִהְי םַעְל יֵשׁיִדַּק ;ןיִנוֹיְלֶע ,הֵּתוּכְלַמ תוּכְלַמ ,םַלָע לֹכְו ,אָיַּנָטְלָשׁ הֵּל ןוּחְלְפִי ןוּחְלְפִי הֵּל ,אָיַּנָטְלָשׁ לֹכְו ,םַלָע תוּכְלַמ ,הֵּתוּכְלַמ ;ןיִנוֹיְלֶע יֵשׁיִדַּק םַעְל ,תַביִהְי ,אָיַּמְשׁ . ןוּעְמַּתְּשִׁיְו

13As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

23 This is what he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth that shall be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. This one shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and half a time. 26 Then the court shall sit in judgement, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and totally destroyed. 27 The kingship and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High.1

2. The Aramaic Apocalypse (4Q246)

2 amlo<>{{l}} akl[m -- ] .aysrk Mdq lpn trC yhwl[o -- ] 4Q246 f1i:1 4 3 Nybr|b[r -- ] .amlo do hta alkw Kwzj a|r[ -- ] KynCw zgr hta 5 ]rwta Klm[ -- ] 6 atnyd|m|b br NØyryCjnw[ -- ] .aora lo att hqo 8 7 -- ] 9 NwC|mCy alkw Nwdb|o[y -- ] aor|a «lo hwhl br [ -- ] Nyrx[mw . r[b|a ytqra wbCmh ytknh.

2 Nk atØwzj yd ayqyzk .hnwrqy Nwylo rbw rmaty la yd hrb 4Q246 f1ii:1 Cwdy Mol Mo NwCdy alkw aora 3 lo Nwklmy [N]ynC .hwht Nhtwklm

5 4 .brj Nm jØwny alkw la Mo MØwqy do ≤ ≥ .h[n]»ydml hnydmw alkw f«Cqb aora 6 [N]»ydy .fwCqb htjra lkw Mlo twklm htwklm abr la .Nwdgsy hl atnydm lkw 7 PsØy aora Nm brj .MlC dboy .yhwmdq hmry 9 Nhlkw hdyb Ntny Nymmo brq hl dboØw awh 8 hlyab .ymwht lkw Mlo NflC hnflC

1 All translations of Tanakh and New Testament are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

2

I. ... [the spirit of God] dwelt on him, he fell down before the throne... O [K]ing, you are angry for every and your years....your vision and all. For ever you... [the gre]at ones. An oppression will come to the earth...a great massacre in the provinces...the king of Assyria [and E]gypt...he will be great on earth...will make and all will serve...he will be called (or: call himself) [gran]d...and by his name he will be designated (or: designate himself). II The son of God he will be proclaimed (or proclaim himself) and the son of the Most High they will call him. Like the sparks of the vision, so will be their kingdom. They will reign for years on the earth and they will trample all. People will trample people (cf. Dan. 7.23) and one province another province vacat until the people of God will arise and all will rest from the sword. Their (the people of God’s) kingdom will be an eternal kingdom (cf. Dan 7.27) and all their path will be in truth....2

3. Enoch 71:14–17

And [the angel] came to me and greeted me with His voice, and said to me, ‘This is the Son of Man who is born unto righteousness, and righteousness abides over him, and the righteousness of the Head of Days forsakes him not... he proclaims unto thee peace in the name of the world to come; For from hence has proceeded peace since the creation of the world, and so shall it be unto thee forever and for ever and ever. And all shall walk in his ways since righteousness never forsakes him: With him will be their dwelling- places, and with him their heritage, and they shall not be separated from him for ever and ever and ever. And so there shall be length of days with that Son of Man, and the righteous shall have peace and an upright way in the name of the Lord of Spirits for ever and ever.’3

4. Building on Genesis 6 “Sons of God”

ב וּאְרִיַּו יֵנְב - םיִהלֱאָה תֶא - תוֹנְבּ םָדאָָה , יִכּ תֹבֹט הָנֵּה ; יַּ ו וּחְקִ םֶהָל .א יִהְיַו יִכּ - לֵחֵה םָדאָָה , בֹרָל לַע - יֵנְפּ הָמָדֲאָה ; תוֹנָבוּ , וּדְלֻּי םֶהָל ד נַּה םיִלִפְ וּיָה .ג רֶמאֹיַּו הָוהְי , אל - ןוֹדָי יִחוּר םָדאָָב םָלֹעְל , םַגַּשְׁבּ , אוּה רָשָׂב ; וּיָהְ ו י ויָמָ , האֵָמ םיִרְשֶׂעְ ו הָנָשׁ . םיִשָׁנ , לֹכִּמ רֶשֲׁא וּרָחָבּ . ץֶראָָב , יַּבּ םיִמָ םֵהָה , םַגְ ו יֵרֲחאַ - ןֵכ רֶשֲׁא וּאֹבָי יֵנְבּ םיִהלֱאָה לֶא - תוֹנְבּ םָדאָָה , יְ ו וּדְלָ םֶהָל : הָמֵּה רֹבִּגַּה םיִ רֶשֲׁא ָלוֹעֵמ ם , נאַ יֵשְׁ שַּׁ ה ֵ םֵשּׁ

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose. 3Then the Lord said, ‘My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’ 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterwards—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.

5. Mark 14:57–62

57Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’ 59But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ 61But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ 62Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’ 63Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? 64You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death.

2 Trans. Geza Vermes 3 Trans. R. H. Charles, with adjustments made to make text more readable.

3 False Messiahs

Matthew 24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

I. THE SICARII

1. Josephus, Antiquities, 20.8.5–6 Certain...robbers went up to the city, as if they were going to worship God, while they had daggers under their garments; and, by thus mingling themselves among the multitude, they slew [the high priest] Jonathan; and as this murder was never avenged, the robbers went up with the greatest security at the festivals after this time; and having weapons concealed in like manner as before, and mingling themselves among the multitude, they slew certain of their own enemies, and were subservient to other men for money; and slew others not only in remote parts of the city, but in the temple itself also; for they had the boldness to murder men there, without thinking of the impiety of which they were guilty. And this seems to me to have been the reason why God, out of his hatred to these men’s wickedness, rejected our city; and as for the temple, he no longer esteemed it sufficiently pure for him to inhabit therein, but brought the Romans upon us, and threw a fire upon the city to purge it; and brought upon us, our wives, and children, slavery, –as desirous to make us wiser by our calamities. These works, that were done by the robbers, filled the city with all sorts of impiety. And now these imposters and deceivers persuaded the multitude to follow them into the wilderness and pretended that they would exhibit manifest wonders and signs, that should be performed by the providence of God. And many that were prevailed on by them suffered the punishments of the folly; for Felix brought them back, and then punished them. Moreover, there came out of Egypt about this time to Jerusalem, one that said he was a prophet, and advised the multitude of the common people to go along with him.4 2. Josephus, War, 2.13.3–5 When the country was purged of these, there sprang up another sort of robbers in Jerusalem, which were called Sicarii, who slew men in the day time, and in the midst of the city; this they did chiefly at the festivals, when they mingled themselves among the multitude, and concealed daggers under their garments, with which they stabbed those that were their enemies; and when any fell down dead, the murderers became a part of those that had indignation against them; by which means they appeared persons of such reputation, that they could by no means be discovered. The first man who was slain by them was Jonathan the high priest, after whose death many were slain every day, while the fear men were in of being so served was more afflicting than the calamity itself; and while everybody expected death every hour, as men do in war, so men were obliged to look before them, and to take notice of their enemies at a great distance; nor, if their friends were coming to them, durst they trust them any longer; but, in the midst of their suspicions and guarding of themselves, they were slain. Such was the celerity of the plotters against them, and so cunning was their contrivance.

There was also another body of wicked men gotten together, not so impure in their actions, but more wicked in their intentions, which laid waste the happy state of the city no less than did these murderers. These were such men as deceived and deluded the people under pretense of Divine inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes of the government; and these prevailed with the multitude to act

4 All translations of Josephus by W. Whiston. If you use his translation, beware of his footnotes!

4 like madmen, and went before them into the wilderness, as pretending that God would there show them the signals of liberty. But Felix thought this procedure was to be the beginning of a revolt; so he sent some horsemen and footmen both armed, who destroyed a great number of them.

But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more mischief than the former; for he was a cheat, and pretended to be a prophet also, and got together thirty thousand men that were deluded by him; these he led roundabout from the wilderness to the mount which was called the Mount of Olives, and was ready to break into Jerusalem by force from that place; and if he could but once conquer the Roman garrison and the people, he intended to domineer over them by the assistance of those guards of his that were to break into the city with him. But Felix prevented his attempt, and met him with his Roman soldiers, while all the people assisted him in his attack upon them, insomuch that when it came to a battle, the Egyptian ran away, with a few others, while the greatest part of those that were with him were either destroyed or taken alive; but the rest of the multitude were dispersed everyone to their own homes, and there concealed themselves.

3. Acts 21:35–39

Paul came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, ‘Away with him!’ Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, ‘May I say something to you?’ The tribune replied, ‘Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?’ 39Paul replied, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.’

II. THEUDAS 1. Josephus, Antiquities, 20.5.1 Now it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it; and many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out against them; who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them, and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem.

2. Acts 5:27–40

When [the high priest and the elders of ] had brought [the apostles to court], they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ 29But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to

5 these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.5 38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’ They were convinced by him, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

III. BEN JUDAH

1. Josephus, War, 2.17.8–9

In the meantime one Manahem, the son of Judas, that was called the Galilean (who was a very cunning sophister, and had formerly reproached the Jews under Cyrenius, that after God they were subject to the Romans) took some of the men of note with him, and retired to Masada, where he broke open king Herod’s armory, and gave arms not only to his own people, but to other robbers also. These he made use of for a guard, and returned in the state of a king to Jerusalem: he became the leader of the sedition, and gave orders for continuing the siege; but they wanted proper instruments, and it was not practicable to undermine the wall, because the darts came down upon them from above. But still they dug a mine, from a great distance, under one of the towers, and made it totter; and having done that, they set on fire what was combustible, and left it; and when the foundations were burnt below, the tower fell down suddenly...Now the overthrow of the places of strength, and the death of the high priest Ananias, so puffed up Manahem, that he became barbarously cruel; and, as he thought he had no antagonists to dispute the management of affairs with him, he was no better than an insupportable tyrant; but Eleazar and his party, when words had passed between them, how it was not proper when they revolted from the Romans, out of the desire of liberty, to betray that liberty to any of their own people, and to bear a lord, who, though he should be guilty of no violence, was yet meaner than themselves; as also, that, in case they were obliged to set someone over their public affairs, it was fitter they should give that privilege to anyone rather than to him, they made an assault upon him in the temple; for he went up thither to worship in a pompous manner, and adorned with royal garments, and had his followers with him in their armor. But Eleazar and his party fell violently upon him, as did also the rest of the people, and taking up stones to attach him withal, they threw them at the sohister [wrangler], and thought that if he were once ruined, the entire sedition would fall to the ground.

Now Manahem and his party made resistance for a while; but when they perceived that the whole multitude were falling upon them, they fled which was everyone was able; those that were caught were slain, and those that hid themselves were searched for. A few there were of them who privately escaped to Masada, among whom was Eleazar, the son of Jarius, who was of kin to Manahem, and acted the part of a tyrant at Masada afterward. As for Manahem himself, he ran away to the place called Ophla, and they lay skulking in private; but they took him alive, and drew him out before them all; they then tortured him with many sorts of torments, and after all slew him, as they did by those that were captains under him also, and particularly by the principle instrument of his tyranny, whose name was Apsalom.

5 On Judas the Galilean, see Josephus, Jewish War, 2.433 and Josephus, Antiquities, 18.1-10, 23.

6 2. Babylonian Talmud 98b

רמא בר ןיא ןב דוד אב דע טשפתתש כלמה ו ת לע לארשי עשת ה םישדח רמאנש ( הכימ ה , ב ) ןכל םנתי דע תע הדלוי הדלי רתיו חא י ו ןובושי לע ינב לארשי רמא אלוע יתיי אלו הינימחיא ןכו רמא [ הבר ] יתיי אלו הינימחיא בר י ףסו רמא יתיי יכזאו ביתיאד טב ו אל אתיפוכד רמחד י ה רמא אלוע יתיי אלו הינימחיא ןכו רמא [ הבר ] יתיי אלו הינימחיא בר י ףסו רמא יתיי יכזאו ביתיאד אלוטב כד פו אתי חד רמ י ה ... רמא בר לדיג רמא בר ןידיתע לארשי ילכאד ינש חישמ רמא בר י ףסו אטישפ אלאו ןאמ ליכא והל קליח קליבו לכא י והל פאל ו ק י יברדמ לליה רמאד ןיא חישמ ל לארשי רבכש לכא ו ה ו ימיב ח ז ק י ה רמא בר אל ירבא אמלע אלא דודל לאומשו רמא השמל יברו ןנחוי רמא ישמל ח המ ומש יבד יבר ש אלי ירמא הליש ומש רמאנש ( ישארב ת טמ , י ) דע יכ אבי הליש יבד יבר יאני ירמא ןוני ומש רמאנש ( להת י ם בע , י ז ) יהי ומש םלועל ינפל שמש ןוני ומש יבד בר י הנינח א רמ הנינח ומש רמאנש ( והימרי זט , י ג ) רשא אל ןתא םכל הנינח שיו םירמוא םחנמ ןב היקזח ומש רמאנש ( הכיא א , זט ) יכ קחר ינממ םחנמ בישמ ישפנ ןנברו ירמא ח ארווי יבד יבר ומש רמאנש ( יעשי וה גנ , ד ) ןכא וניילח אוה אשנ וניבואכמו םלבס ונחנאו נבשח והו עוגנ הכומ םיהלא ו עמ ו נ ה רמא בר ןמחנ יא ןמ אייח אוה ןוגכ אנא נש רמא ( והימרי ל , אכ ) היהו ורידא ונממ ולשומו וברקמ אצי רמא בר יא ןמ יח אי אוה ןוגכ וניבר שודקה יא ןמ איתמ אוה ןוגכ נד לאי שיא תודומח רמא בר הדוהי רמא בר תע י ד דקה שו ךורב אוה דימעהל םהל דוד רחא רמאנש ( והימרי ל , ט ) ודבעו תא ה ' םהיהלא תאו דוד םכלמ רשא םיקא םהל םיקה אל נ רמא אלא םיקא א " ל בר אפפ באל י י ביתכהו ( לאקזחי זל , הכ ) דודו ידבע אישנ םהל םלועל ןוגכ רסיק יגלפו רסיק

Rav says: The son of will not come until the evil [Roman] kingdom will disperse throughout Eretz Yisrael for nine months, as it is stated: “Therefore will He give them up, until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of his brethren shall return with the children of Israel” (Micah 5:2). [Once a period equivalent to a term of pregnancy passes, the redemption will come.] says: Let [the Messiah] come, but [after my death, so that] I will not see him, [as I fear the suffering that will precede his coming]. Likewise, Rabba says: Let [the Messiah come], but [after my death, so that] I will not see him. Rav Yosef says: Let [the Messiah] come, and I will be privileged to sit in the shadow of his donkey’s excrement. [I am willing to undergo all the pain and disgrace associated with his arrival.] ...

Rav Giddel says [that] Rav says: The Jewish people are destined to eat [from the bounty of, i.e., enjoy] the years of [the] Messiah. Rav Yosef says: [Isn’t this] obvious? And rather, who [else] will eat [from] them? [Will] Ḥillak and Billak, [two shiftless characters,] eat [from] them? [The Gemara explains that ’s statement serves] to exclude [the statement of] Rabbi Hillel, who says: There is no Messiah [coming] for the Jewish people, as they already ate [from] him, [as all the prophecies relating to the Messiah were already fulfilled] during the days of .

Rav says: The world was created only for [the sake of] David [by virtue of his merit]. And Shmuel says: [It was created by virtue of the merit of] Moses. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: [It was created by virtue of the merit of the] Messiah. [Apropos the Messiah, the Gemara asks:] What is his name? The school of Rabbi Sheila says: Shiloh is his name, as it is stated: “Until when Shiloh shall come”(Genesis 49:10). The school of says: Yinnon is his name, as it is stated: “May his name endure forever; may his name continue [yinnon] as long as the sun; [and may men bless themselves by him]” (Psalms 72:17). The school of Rabbi Ḥanina says: Ḥanina is his name, as it is stated: “For I will show you no favor [ḥanina]” ( 16:13). And some say that Menaḥem ben Ḥizkiyya is his name, as it is stated: “Because the comforter [menaḥem] that should relieve my soul is far from me” (Lamentations 1:16). And the Rabbis say: The leper of the house of Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] is his name, as it is stated: “Indeed our illnesses he did bear and our pains he endured; yet we did esteem him injured, stricken by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4).

Rav Naḥman says: If [the Messiah] is among the living [in this generation, he is a person] such as me, [who already has dominion over the Jewish people], as it is stated: “And their prince shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from their midst” (Jeremiah 30:21), [indicating that the

7 redeemer is already in power]. Rav says: If [the Messiah] is among the living [in this generation, he is a person] such as our saintly Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi, who was renowned for his sanctity, piety, and Torah knowledge]. If [the Messiah] is among the dead [he is a person] such as Daniel, the beloved man.

Rav Yehuda says [that] Rav says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to establish another David [for the Jewish people as the Messiah], as it is stated: “And they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will establish for them” (Jeremiah 30:9). It is not stated: I established, but “I will establish,” [indicating that the name of the future king will be David]. Rav Pappa said to : But isn’t it written: “And my servant David shall be their prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:25), [indicating that King David himself will rule over the Jewish people? Abaye said: They will rule in tandem] like an emperor and a viceroy [the Messiah will be king and David will be second-in-command]. 6

Real Messiahs 1. Isaiah 45:1–2 א ֹכּ ה - מאָ ַ ר י והְ הָ , וֹחיִשְׁמִל רוֹכְ ל שֶׁ ֲ א ֶשׁ ר - זֱחֶה יִתְּקַ וֹניִמיִב רְל דַ - ויָנָפְל םִיוֹגּ , יֵנְתָמוּ םיִכָלְמ , ַחֵתַּפֲא -- ַחֹתְּפִל ויָנָפְל םִיַתָלְדּ , םיִרָעְשׁוּ אל וּרֵגָסִּי .ב יִנֲא ךיֶנָפְל ךֵלֵא , םיִרוּדֲהַ ו רשוא ( רֵשַּׁיֲא ;) תוֹתְלַדּ הָשׁוּחְנ רֵבַּשֲׁא , יֵחיִרְבוּ לֶזְרַב ַעֵדַּגֲא .

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him—and the gates shall not be closed: 2 I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

2. 1 Samuel 10:1–2 .א חַקִּיַּו לֵאוּמְשׁ תֶא - ךַפּ ןֶמֶשַּׁה , קֹצִיַּ ו לַע - ֹר וֹשׁא -- וּהֵקָשִּׁיַּו ; רֶמאֹיַּו -- אוֹלֲה יִכּ - ךֲחָשְׁמ הָוהְי לַע - וֹתָלֲחַנ , דיִגָנְל

1Samuel took a phial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, ‘The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. Now this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you ruler over his heritage:

3. 1 Kings 1:39 טל חַקִּיַּו קוֹדָצ ןֵהֹכַּה תֶא - ןֶרֶק ןֶמֶשַּׁה , ןִמ - לֶהֹאָה , ַ ו יּ חַשְׁמִ , תֶא - ֹמלְשׁ ה ; ַ ו יּ קְתִ וּעְ , רָפוֹשַּׁבּ , ַ ו ֹיּ וּרְמא לָ כּ - םָעָה , י יִחְ ךֶלֶמַּה הֹמלְשׁ

There the priest Zadok took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed . Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ . 4. Leviticus 4:3 .ג םִא ןֵהֹכַּה ַחיִשָׁמַּה אָטֱחֶי , תַמְשַׁאְל םָעָה : ביִרְקִהְו לַע וֹתאָטַּח רֶשֲׁא אָטָח רַפּ ןֶבּ - רָקָבּ םיִמָתּ , הָוהיַל -- תאָטַּחְל

If it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull of the herd without blemish as a sin-offering to the Lord.

6 Trans. Sefaria.org.

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Absentee Messiahs

1. Avot d’ Rabbi Natan B31

Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai taught: “If you have a sapling in your hand and someone tells you the Messiah has arrived, plant the sapling first; then go out to welcome the Messiah.”

2. Y.Taanit 4:5 (//Lam. Rabbah 2:4)

R. Shimon b. Yohai taught: My teacher Akiba expounded (Num. 24:17): A star will step forth from Jacob as follows: Koziba will step forth from Jacob. When he saw Bar Koziba, Rabbi Akiba would say: This is the King Messiah. R. Yohanan b. Torta responded to him: “Akiba, weeds will grow out of your cheeks and the son of David [e.g. the Messiah] will still not have come!”

3. Cf. Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and Wars, 11:3 Do not think that the king Messiah will have to perform signs and wonders, bring anything new into being, revive the dead, or do similar things. It is not so. Rabbi Akiva was a great sage, a teacher of the Mishnah, yet he was also the armor-bearer of Ben Kozeba. He affirmed that the latter was the king Messiah; he and all the wise men of his generation shared this belief until Ben Kozeba was slain in [his] iniquity, when it became known that he was not the Messiah. Yet the rabbis had not asked him for a sign or token. The general principle is: this Law of ours with its statutes and ordinances [is not subject to change]. It is forever and all eternity; it is not to be added to or to be taken away from. 7

7 Trans. A. Hershman.

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