Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)]’s Greatness

Rambam maintains that Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will be more spiritual than any prophet except Moshe.

However, according to Tanchuma, Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will surpass even Moshe.

(See Tanchuma, “Toldos”, 14.)

Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will exceed Moshe in leadership – because the Redeemer will occupy the throne of God – but not in prophecy.

(See Akeidas Yitzchak, “VaYeishev”; Abarbanel on Yeshayahu 52:12; and R.Yonasan Eibeshutz, Ye’aros Devash, vol. 2, derashah 2.)

Everyone agrees that Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will be wiser than Shlomo.

Additionally, Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will be able to subdue merely by speaking. As Rambam notes in “Iggeres Teiman,” “… with the breath of his lips, he shall destroy the wicked” (Yeshayahu 11:4).

Rambam also writes:

That king [Moshiach] will be great, he will reign in Zion, his name will be great, and is memory will be kept by the nations more than that of Shlomo HaMelech. All the nations will make peace with him, and all the lands will serve him…and any who rise up against him, God will destroy… and deliver… into his hand.

(Commentary on “Perek Chelek”)

Blessing to be pronounced when Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] comes:

Citing R. Shemuel Houminer, R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach writes that, when Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] comes, we will recite three blessings:

“Blessed are You…, Knower of secrets” (a blessing pronounced upon seeing 600,000 or more Jews together),

“Blessed are You…, Who has apportioned of His wisdom to those who fear Him,” and

“Blessed are You…, Who apportioned of His honor to those who fear Him.”

(See R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Minchas Shlomo, ch. 91, subsection 27.)

 Lev Chaim rules that “Blessed are You…, Redeemer of Israel” also be said.

(See Lev Chaim, vol. 2, “Orach Chaim,” ch. 41.

David HaMelech was not Moshiach on the day he was born, but when Shemuel anointed him, he was Moshiach. And when Eliyahu anoints Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] at God’s command, he will be called Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)].

(Ramban, Milchamos Hashem, ch. 34)

Likewise, R. Chaim Vital states:

Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] will certainly be a righteous man born of a man and woman, and he will grow up righteously until the end of days and merit through his deeds a holy nefesh, ruach and neshamah.

And then, on that day of the end, the soul of his soul – which is in Gan Eden – will be given to that tzaddik, and he will be privileged to be the Redeemer…

(Arba Me’os Shekel Kesef, p. 78b)

When Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)] expounds, his voice will ring from one end of the world to the other:

As it says, The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and awe of the Lord (Yeshayahu 11:2).

The “spirit of the Lord” is the western wind.

As it says, They shall fear the name of the Lord from the west… (Yeshayahu 59:19).

The “spirit of wisdom and understanding” is the southern wind, from which the Torah … called wisdom, was given. As it says, Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding… (Mishlei 4:5).

The “spirit of counsel and might” is the eastern wind, source of the sun, moon, and stars. As it says, let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in its might (Shofetim 5:31).

The “spirit of knowledge and awe of the Lord” is the north wind, in which Gan Eden is rooted. All those who fear God will receive their reward there. As it says:

Awake, O north wind,

and come, o South;

blow upon My garden, that its fragrances may flow… (Shir Hashirim 4:16)

The Chasam Sofer writes:

… Moshe…, who was the first redeemer, aged eighty years and neither knew nor felt within himself that he would be the redeemer of Israel,

So, God willing, it will be with the final redeemer… as we find with Shaul [that] after he was anointed, ruach hakodesh [Spirit of God]… came upon him, which he had not beforehand felt within himself.

So it was with the first redeemer, and so it will be with the final redeemer. And that tzaddik himself does not know [that he is Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)]].

(Responsa, vol. 6, ch. 98)

As R. Chaim Vital asserts, “And then, on that day of the end, he will be privileged to be the redeemer… and then he will recognize about himself that he is Moshiach [Hz. Mahdi (as)].”

(Arba Me’os Shekel Kesef, p. 78b)