# Do Jews Really Expect the Messiah to Come? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 20, 2005, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121 "2005-10-20T18:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/21 "2005-10-20T21:57:32Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The messiah will be a man. All the regnant kings of Israel were men, and I’m pretty sure a woman can’t legally inherit the throne. Correct. Maimonides - Laws of Kings 1 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/22 "2005-10-20T21:57:43Z")
There’s a counter-question underlying this, of course, and in the interests of interfaith communication, I ask it: Do Christians really expect Jesus to come again? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/23 "2005-10-20T21:58:58Z")
You seem to be beating me to the punch by a minute or two every time **Cap** 🙂 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/24 "2005-10-20T22:06:09Z")
I’m just going into the future, seeing what you write, then going back in time and writing it before you. Simple. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/25 "2005-10-20T22:17:57Z")
> [@zev\_steinhardt](#): > > Neither. > > The immaculate conception refers to the conception of Mary, not the conception of Jesus. It means (according to Christian theology) that she was born free from the taint of Original Sin. > > What this has to do with questions about Jews and the messiah is beyond me. > > Zev Steinhardt Slight nitpick. You should have said “according to Roman Catholic theology.” Not all Christians accept the doctrine of immaculate conception. ---
**Author:** ![aamco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@aamco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aamco)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/26 "2005-10-20T22:20:00Z")
> [@C K Dexter Haven](#): > > Do Christians really expect Jesus to come again? Like the answer for the Jews, the answer is “depends.” Most people subscribe to some sort of Second Coming and Judgement, but more on the psychological comfort level (you may persecute me but when Jesus comes again, I’ll have the last laugh). Most preachers use it to counter “bad” behavior that would otherwise be difficult to preach against (do you want to be spanking the monkey when Jesus comes again and catches you in the act?). Most fundamentalists would believe in a literal Second Coming, but even then, that it might happen in their lifetime is something that few people consider. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/27 "2005-10-20T22:23:00Z")
> [@C K Dexter Haven](#): > > There’s a counter-question underlying this, of course, and in the interests of interfaith communication, I ask it: Do Christians really expect Jesus to come again? This massive hijack coming from–an administrator? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/28 "2005-10-20T22:25:06Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > Slight nitpick. You should have said “according to Roman Catholic theology.” Not all Christians accept the doctrine of immaculate conception. You’re correct, I should have better qualified my statement. Thanks. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/29 "2005-10-20T22:27:18Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > With all due respect to a previous poster who referred to the future messiah as possibly female, how realistic is that, given the pervasive sexual discri… er, _segregation_ in Orthodox and Conservative customs? I think most of those customs are a thing of the past for Conservatives, at least in the congregations I’ve belonged to or visited. We have women rabbis and cantors, women get called up to read the Torah, men and women sit together in synagogue, and (some) women wear head coverings and tallits to services (Did I miss anything major?). The Messiah will be a political leader, not the High Priest, so issues of qualification for the priesthood won’t come up. The Orthodox, I’m sure, disagree with me about whether a woman could be the Messiah. I’d imagine a lot of Conservatives do, too. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/30 "2005-10-20T22:43:15Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > All the regnant kings of Israel were men, Yeah, but what about all the \p\regnant kings, huh? What about them, smart guy? Sorry - I misread that on first glance, did a double-take, then couldn’t help myself :D. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/31 "2005-10-20T23:01:44Z")
So is someone keeping track of the line of David? Do we know what family that is? Is there an incredible amount of pressure on male children in that family? Can I say anything that isn’t a question? ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/32 "2005-10-20T23:05:54Z")
> [@deevee](#): > > Do Jews really expect the Messiah to come? Well, I’m not holding my breath. It’s a little like asking if Christians really expect the Second Coming. Some people in some sects expect the Messiah to show up again at any moment, and go around prepared for the Rapture. Others have the return of Jesus as some part of the religion, but not necessarily as something that they really focus on too much. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/33 "2005-10-20T23:15:13Z")
> [@Anne Neville](#): > > I think most of those customs are a thing of the past for Conservatives, at least in the congregations I’ve belonged to or visited. We have women rabbis and cantors, women get called up to read the Torah, men and women sit together in synagogue, and (some) women wear head coverings and tallits to services (Did I miss anything major?). The Messiah will be a political leader, not the High Priest, so issues of qualification for the priesthood won’t come up. That’s reassuring. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/34 "2005-10-20T23:42:33Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > So is someone keeping track of the line of David? The [House of David](http://www.peppergame.com/history.asp) was still barnstorming around the US until the 1950s, but I don’t know what’s happened to them recently. ---
**Author:** ![deevee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@deevee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deevee)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/35 "2005-10-21T00:39:25Z")
> [@C K Dexter Haven](#): > > There’s a counter-question underlying this, of course, and in the interests of interfaith communication, I ask it: Do Christians really expect Jesus to come again? That is kind of what got me thinking about the question. The fundamentalists debating whether or not Bin Laden, Katrina, Earthquakes signal end times and the return of Jesus. Not whether or not he will return but if now is the time. Re: my op, I was unaware of the concept of a Messianic age. I certainly like that idea alot better than a 7 year reign of terror that is armageddon. Thanks for many informative responses. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/36 "2005-10-21T02:46:26Z")
I noticed **Zeb** s quote on tasks lists subduing the surrounding nations. But others have said bringing about world peace. The two are hardly the same. What am I missing? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/37 "2005-10-21T03:49:34Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > while we’re on the subject of beliefs perhaps you could answer my question: > > the immaculate conception - I’ve heard two explanations > a) Mary had not known a man’s touch when she bacame pregnant with Jesus (I believe this is the more popular of the two) > or b) Mary herself was the result of a virgin birth, therefore she was without sin and qualified to bring forth the savior > Which is correct? Neither. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/38 "2005-10-21T03:52:24Z")
\ Care to elaborate on that, **alphaboi**? We’re dedicated to fighting ignorance here, and an answer like yours raises more questions than it answers. \ ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/39 "2005-10-21T06:04:17Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > \ > > Care to elaborate on that, **alphaboi**? We’re dedicated to fighting ignorance here, and an answer like yours raises more questions than it answers. > > \ It was a fcatual answer to the question. The Immaculate Conception refers **neither** to the virgin birth of Jesus, nor to a virgin birth by Mary. It refers to a Catholic (non-Biblical) doctrine that Mary was born without original sin. **alphaboi’s** answer was a bit terse, maybe but it was factual and accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121/40 "2005-10-21T12:56:19Z")
Thanks, **Diogenes**. That’s the kind of response we like here. Appreciate the clarification. Besides, I was interested in the answer, as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-really-expect-the-messiah-to-come/327121.md?page=3)