Moshiach (Mashiah)

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MOSHIACH (Mashiah)

Hebrew and Yiddish word designating the messenger of God, announced by the sacred texts of the Hebraic law. Equivalent to the Mahdi for Muslims (and the Shiʿite Hidden Imam), or the Messiah for Christians. Whereas Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah already come, Jews are still awaiting the coming of their Messiah. Some members of the Lubavitch sect, however, believe that the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, was the Moshiach.

SEE ALSO Hidden Imam;Lubavitcher Hasidim;Mahdi;Messiah.