As I have stated before, there is almost no topic about which there is only one Jewish view. Does Judaism make belief in a Messiah a cornerstone of its ideology? Then why is it not mentioned specifically in the Torah? There are several places which hint at the idea, but all of these are subject to interpretation. But, if it is an Article of Faith, why is it not spelled out? To be sure, it is in the Prophets, but there are apparently wide differences in their understanding of what, exactly, this means. Even in the Talmud, this concept only takes up about 1/2 of one percent of the discussions; somewhat more if we interpret the expression "Olam HaBa" (the World to Come) as pertaining to the Messianic era, rather than life after death (as is RAMBAM's position). Is the Messianic Era the same as the Messiah? We find differing views among the rabbis of the Talmud. One view is that he already came, and was non other than King Hezekiah. This view is rejected by the others, but they do not agree as to who he will be, and what is the nature of his mission. RAMBAM says that we do not know, and that each rabbi in the Talmud was merely giving his own interpretation of Scripture. At that time, he warns us against aggadah in this and other areas. RAMBAM's view of the Messiah, along with some of the rabbis of the Talmud, is of a very human one, who will fight the battles of HaShem and usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Israel will be restored to her Land, and the Temple will be rebuilt. In fact, he makes this the sign that a person is actually the Messiah, although he gives some other signs that the person MIGHT be the Messiah..Will this era be forever, or only a temporary "Golden Age"? Will he be a "super rebbe"; a spiritual leader who will make all aware of the presence of G-d? (this is the apparent meaning of many of the verses in Isaiah) Or will he be a fierce warrior, exacting vengeance on the Nations for thousands of years of hate and persecution? Will we have a world that is fundamentally changed, or which simply has taken a different and better direction? Are we to await his arrival every moment, or, as RAMBAM says, believe that these things will come to pass at sometime in the future? What is Mashiach ben Yosef? (Messiah Son Of Joseph) who is never mentioned in Scripture, and only fleetingly mentioned in Talmud? We seek him in vain in the writings of RAMBAM. Is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah to be identified with the Messiah? Is the Messiah an actual person, or a process? All of these views are expressed in our sources. Can we ever say anything definitive about a concept, rather than a halachah? I bristle when I find people writing "it is widely accepted". By whom, and on what basis? What is clear in all Jewish sources is that the Messiah will be human, not a Divine being. What I will NOT do in this series is debate non-Jewish concepts of the Messiah, which are clearly Hellenistic ideas which were "read in" to our sources. I hope to clarify all of the above questions, as fairly and objectively as I possibly can.