Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

The time for the process of the final redemption of the Jewish people, ending their exile from their Holy Land by the Roman Empire, and beginning the Messianic Era, was revealed to the prophet Daniel. However, it was recorded in the Book of Daniel in a mysterious ways, in five places.[1] The last one is in the verses 12:11-12.

11. And from the time the daily sacrifice was removed and the silent abomination was placed [on the site of the Holy Temple], one thousand, two hundred, and ninety [1290] years.
12. Fortunate is he who waits and reaches to one thousand, three hundred, and thirty-five [1335] years.

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Preface to this question:

From Maimonides, Laws of Kings 11:4 –

If a king will arise from the House of David who diligently contemplates the Torah and observes its mitzvot [commandments] as prescribed by the Written Law and the Oral Law as David, his ancestor, will compel all of Israel to walk in (the way of the Torah) and rectify the breaches in its observance, and fight the wars of G-d, we may, with assurance, consider him Mashiach [the “anointed one,” which is the word in Hebrew word for “Messiah”].

If he succeeds in the above, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, he is definitely the Mashiach.

He will then improve the entire world, motivating all the nations to serve G-d together, as Tzephaniah 3:9 states: ‘I will transform the peoples to a purer language that they all will call upon the name of G-d and serve Him with one purpose.’

If he did not succeed to this degree or was killed, he surely is not the redeemer promised by the Torah. Rather, he should be considered as all the other proper and complete kings of the Davidic dynasty who died. G-d caused him to arise only to test the many, as Daniel 11:35 states: ‘And some of the wise men will stumble, to try them, to refine, and to clarify until the appointed time, because the set time is in the future.’

The following is presented with permission of Sichos in English, from their book “As a New Day Breaks” and their web page of the chapter “Will Mashiach Work Miracles?”, at https://www.sie.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2468567/jewish/Will-Mashiach-Work-Miracles.htm

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Where the Holy Ark is Located Today*

Rambam [Maimonides] begins the fourth chapter of Hilchos Beis HaBechirah [“Laws of the Chosen House” in Mishneh Torah] with the following statements:

There was a stone in the western portion of the Holy of Holies on which the ark was placed.[1] Before it, [were placed] the vial of manna and Aharon’s staff. When Shlomo [Solomon] constructed the Beis [HaMikdash] [the Holy Temple], knowing that it would ultimately be destroyed, he constructed a place for the ark to be entombed below [the Holy of Holies] in deep maze-like vaults. Read more »

Gentiles were welcomed to bring their sacrificial offerings for G-d to the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. They will participate even more at the Third Temple in the Messianic Era. This will happen especially during the festival of Sukkot, as prophesied in Zechariah: Read more »

The Coming Of The Prophet Eliyahu

This translation is an adapted version of a Chassidic discourse by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, on 10th Shevat, 5747. The Hebrew original appeared at the time as Siyum HaRambam, MiSichos Yud Shvat 5747. Published in English in the book “I Await His Coming Every Day“. (Presented here with permission of the publisher: Sichos In English, Brooklyn, NY. )

A Prophet Will Arise

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In “Laws of Kings”, chapter 11, Rambam explains that the true Messiah will bring about the fulfillment of Zephaniah 3:9. Rambam teaches, “He [the true Messiah] will perfect the entire world, [motivating all the nations] to serve G-d together. As it is written, ‘For I [G-d] shall then make the peoples pure of speech so that they will all call upon the Name of G-d and serve Him with one purpose.'” Read more »

Our Sages asked, “What is Mashiach’s name?” Read more »