Q&A: Will Redemption Come With or Without a Mashiah?

Q. Who will ingather our exiles to the Land of Israel – will it be G-d, or the Mashiah? What is the source that a person will ingather us?

A. The Mashiah is described in several Biblical passages. The first one is in Parshat Balak, where the Gentile prophet Bil'am speaks his prophecy (Numbers 24,17), and as Maimonides explains, he is referring to the Mashiah. Many commentators also understand Isaiah 11 and 52-53, and elsewhere, as referring to the Mashiah. In the Midrash we find many references to the Redemption (Geula) that will come about via the Mashiah. And Maimonides ruled accordingly (Laws of Kings 11,1). 

The Talmud records an Amoraic dispute on this matter (Tr. Sanhedrin 99a): "Rabbe Hillel [not Hillel the Elder, who lived much earlier, during the Second Temple period] said: There will be no Mashiah for Israel [because G-d Himself will redeem them], because [his prophecies were already] fulfilled during the times of King Hizkiyahu."

R. Yosef responded: "May G-d forgive Rabbe Hillel for saying this! King Hizkiyahu lived during the First Temple period, whereas the Prophet Zecharia prophesized during the Second Temple period about the future arrival of the Mashiah, saying: 'Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; raise a shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you, victorious and triumphant, humble, riding on a donkey…' (Zech. 9,9)."

In Rabbe Hillel's opinion, the Redemption will come without a Mashiah, that is, without a central figure who will lead the Redemption process. This is precisely what we are seeing in our generation. But on the other hand, R. Yosef feels that the Redemption will in fact be led by the Mashiah. 

And in truth, it could be that the two sages do not disagree. The first stage of the Geula will take place without a Mashiah, while later on in the process, the Mashiah will be revealed to the world and will conclude the Redemption. 

In any event, Maimonides also wrote that it is not critical for us to study these matters, because "we will not know how it will be until it happens" (Kings 12,2). And in our generation we truly see how the Redemption is unfolding before our eyes without a specific Mahsiah, but rather via the entire Nation of Israel

Answered by Rav Uriel Tuito, yeshiva.co/ask, translated by Hillel Fendel