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Is there a source in Judaism that indicates that Moshiach (Ben David, not Ben Yosef) will die before having fulfilled his role and then return to posthumously achieve it?

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Wait... die without having redeemed the nation then return to fulfill his role? – jake May 31 '12 at 18:15
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@jake Yes, I'll edit the question to make that more clear. – user1552 May 31 '12 at 18:18
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You mean like in Christianity? – Seth J May 31 '12 at 18:19
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@SethJ, Christianity believes that the "savior" not only died and has yet to return, but also that he is is some way "part of" God, or at least godly in some sense. That is not implied by this question. – jake May 31 '12 at 18:32
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Note Rambam writes (Melachim 11 3) that when Bar Kochba was killed, it was definitively established that he was not Mashiach. That seems to preclude the possibility of resurrection. – Barry Jun 14 '12 at 20:48
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2 Answers

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Sanhedrin 98b:

אמר רב אי מן חייא הוא כגון רבינו הקדוש אי מן מתיא הוא כגון דניאל איש חמודות

Said Rav: If he [Mashiach] is from the living, he is like our great teacher [R' Yehuda HaNasi]. If he is from the dead, he is like Daniel, greatly beloved man [i.e. the Biblical Daniel].

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Can you explain that passage, it is a bit cryptic. – user1552 May 31 '12 at 18:29
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Couldn't it just mean "If you look for a model among the living...or among the dead..."? – Seth J May 31 '12 at 18:39
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@SethJ, Fair enough. And seems Ben Ish Chai seems to think along the lines of what you suggested. – jake May 31 '12 at 18:56
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jake, I was going to respond to @msh210, Aderaba, that Lishna Rishona in Rashi is written in past tense (actually past perfect) for the Daniel mention, implying that if Mashiaḥ had been someone who has since passed away, it would have been Daniel. – Seth J May 31 '12 at 19:16
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The the most recent Lubavitcher Rebbe (here footnote 6) understands that this gemara must be referring to the soul of Daniel (or some other dead person) which would be in the Mashiach, not that the dead person himself would arise and be Mashiach. – Double AA♦ Feb 3 at 0:38
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up vote 3 down vote

In The Yerushalmi Brachos daf 17:1 (see Eicha Rabbah 1:51 as well ) says : The Rabbanan said if Mashiach is from the living David is his name, if he is from the dead, David is his name,

R' Tanchuma says the reason is based off Tehillim 18:51.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said his name is Tzemach.

Rabbi Yuden ben R' Aivo said his name is Menachem.

However, it is brought that Mashiach(kingship) will come from Shlomo Hamelech(Rambam Mitzvah Lo Taseh 362 ) ,and it is also brought down that the soul of Mashiach will be from that of Moshe( Ohr Hachaim 49:11 ) Meaning the soul of Mashiach is from great people not necessarily that these people are Resurrected.

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Why the down vote (I don't care for the points just like to know why my answer is not sufficient) ? – sam Jun 3 '12 at 1:51
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Not my vote, but presumably the issues with this source would parallel those in the comments to the other answer. – Double AA♦ Aug 13 '12 at 6:06

protected by msh210♦ May 31 '12 at 18:47

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