Conference taveng::bagels

462.0. "Judaism & the Messiah" by BLAZER::RADWIN () Mon May 02 1988 10:24

    How important is the concept of a messiah in Judaism?  Was discussing
    religious issues with a Christian work colleague.  His understanding
    was that Jews and Christians had similar viewpoints both the concept
    and role of a messiah but differed "only" in whether the messiah
    had yet appeared.  I disagreed.  It's my understanding that the
    messiah has a less central role in Judaism than in Christianity,
    particularly than in Roman Catholicism or fundamentalist Christianity. 
                                                    
    I understood that Jews believed that there is a messiah and that
    in some of the more difficult periods of European Jewish history
    there was a fervid desire for the messiah's coming and, at times,
    a belief that he had, in fact, come.
    
    But in general Jewish belief and experience were not built around the
    messiah's coming. Attending to the torah's precepts and laws in
    and of themselves and maintaining the Covenant receive greater focus
    and greater attention than the messiah.
     
    I say this based on a rather spotty Jewish education. I be very
    interested in the opinions and beliefs of those of you who are better 
    briefed in our traditions.

reply to:  < Note 462.0 by BLAZER::RADWIN >
>                           -< Judaism & the Messiah >-

	First, look at note 379.00 et seq. Then we discuss.

/don