MNG: THE MOSHIACH CHECKLIST (Copy Free Gift !)

Welcome, dear friends, to one of the most exciting and profound journeys in all of Torah study — The Moshiach Checklist.

In this article, we will delve into one of the most sophisticated and deep secrets of Judaism: the identity, purpose, and qualifications of the future King of Israel — the Moshiach.

This subject is not just mystical; it is practical and foundational. It connects to the very heart of what it means to be a Jew and to the destiny of the entire world.

Understanding who can be the Moshiach, and how such a person embodies the Torah’s highest ideals, touches upon prophecy, leadership, humility, and divine purpose.

The answers found within our holy sources — from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, to Rambam, Midrashim, and Chassidic interpretation — guide us in understanding what the Jewish future will look like, and how every one of us participates in it.

As we explore this, we must remember: this is not merely about identifying a person; it’s about revealing a divine potential that exists within every Jewish soul and among all who truly fear Hashem.

Ultimately, this knowledge shapes the spiritual and moral direction of the Jewish people — and through it, will impact every nation on earth.

1. Jewish by birth from a Jewish mother? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: A person born to a Jewish mother is halachically Jewish. (A convert to Judaism is also Jewish but cannot become king.)

Source: Devarim 17:15 — “You shall surely set a king over you, whom Hashem your G-d shall choose; from among your brothers shall you set a king over you; you may not put a foreigner over you. ”Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 1:4

2. Male (as required for kingship)? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: The Torah’s command of kingship applies to men; rulership over Israel as king is a male role.

Source: Devarim 17:14–15; Sanhedrin 20b — “Appoint a king over you,” the sages derive “king” and not “queen.”Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 1:5

3. Descendant of King David (paternal line)? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: The eternal kingship of Israel was promised to King David and his descendants. Only from this line can the Moshiach come. Source: II Samuel 7:12–16; Tehillim 89:30–38Halachic

Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 1:7 and 11:1

4. Torah scholar of great depth and fear of Heaven? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: He must be a master of Torah learning and live with awe of G-d, teaching by example.

Source: Devarim 17:19 — “He shall read from it all the days of his life, to learn to fear Hashem.”Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 3:1; Hilchot Teshuvah 9:2

5. Lives according to Torah and mitzvot in daily practice? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: He must personally observe the Torah’s commandments meticulously.

Source: Devarim 17:18–20 — “That his heart be not lifted above his brothers, and that he turn not aside from the commandment. ”Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4

6. Guides and strengthens others to follow Torah? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: His leadership must inspire repentance and observance throughout Israel.

Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4 — “He compels all Israel to follow the Torah and strengthen its observance.”

7. Respected and accepted by Torah sages for his leadership? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: Torah authority must recognize his leadership as righteous and valid.

Source: Sanhedrin 20b; Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 1:3 — “The prophet and Sanhedrin appoint the king.”

8. Displays humility, holiness, and love of Israel? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: A true king serves his people with love and humility, not arrogance.

Source: I Samuel 10:22 — “Behold, he has hidden himself among the vessels”; this teaches humility of Shaul. Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 2:6 — “The king’s heart is the heart of the entire congregation.”

9. Fights the battles of Hashem — spiritually and physically if needed? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: He must defend Israel from its enemies and combat evil in all forms.

Source: I Samuel 18:17; Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4 — “He fights the wars of Hashem.”

10. Acts as a unifier, not a divider, among the Jewish people? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: Moshiach must unite all Jews under Torah truth, not factionalism.

Source: Yechezkel 37:22 — “And I will make them one nation under one king.”

11. Has proper family conduct (ideally married and upright)? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: While not halachically required, a king should be married and maintain moral purity, reflecting balance and responsibility.

Source: Devarim 17:17 — “He shall not multiply wives for himself.”

Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 3:2

12. Shows leadership ability without corruption or arrogance? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: His power must be for service, not self-glory.

Source: Devarim 17:20; Sanhedrin 21b — “He must not lift his heart above his brothers.”

13. Has vision and effort toward rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: The confirmed Moshiach must rebuild the Holy Temple on its site in Jerusalem.

Source: Yechezkel Chapters 40–48; Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4

14. Works to gather the exiles and restore justice? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: He must bring back Jews from all nations and establish Torah justice in Israel.

Source: Devarim 30:3–5; Yeshayahu 11:12Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4

15. Seeks to remove Amalek — spiritual and physical opposition to holiness? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: He fulfills the mitzvah to eliminate Amalek’s memory—both the nation and the inner evil that fights holiness.Source: Devarim 25:17–19; Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 1:1

16. Spreads Dvar Hashem to the world, leading to peace and awareness? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Definition: The Moshiach’s final task is to bring global knowledge of G-d and universal harmony.

Source: Yeshayahu 11:9 — “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the sea.”

Halachic Source: Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 12:5

If a person fulfills the majority of these traits—especially the first seven—he may be considered a Chezkat Moshiach (“presumed Moshiach”). If he succeeds in the final missions, rebuilding the Temple and gathering the exiles, he becomes the Vadai Moshiach (“confirmed Moshiach”).

Who Can Be the King Moshiach?

A Journey Through Torah Sources and Clarity

Many people wonder: who can truly be the King Moshiach? What are the Torah requirements for such a figure?

Does he need to be married, have children, come only from King David’s tribe, or could he emerge from one of the lost tribes of Israel?

And before even becoming “Moshiach,” what makes someone qualified to be a king of Israel in the first place?

Let’s begin at the roots.

The Foundation: What Makes a King of Israel

According to the Torah (Devarim 17:14–20), Hashem commands the Jewish people to appoint a king when they settle in the Land of Israel. This king must be chosen “from among your brothers,” meaning he must be Jewish, not a convert or foreigner.

The king must possess great fear of Heaven, Torah wisdom, humility, and devotion to justice.

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 1:7–9) explains that a Jewish king is anointed by a prophet or the Sanhedrin using the anointing oil, and his role is to lead the people in Torah, protect the nation, and ensure the proper worship of Hashem. He must also have the courage and leadership to fight Israel’s wars when necessary.

Already we see that kingship in Israel is not just political—it is deeply spiritual. The king is not chosen for popularity, but for holiness, Torah knowledge, and divine purpose.

The Lineage Requirement

From the time of King David, all legitimate kings of Israel must descend from him. The Torah promises that David’s dynasty will endure forever (II Samuel 7:12–16). The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 1:7) rules that once David and his seed are chosen, only a descendant of David can rightfully rule as king over all Israel. This establishes the foundation for the concept of Moshiach ben David—the future redeemer from David’s line.

A person from another tribe, including one of the lost tribes, could not be the king over all Israel once David’s dynasty was established.

However, individuals from the other tribes can hold leadership roles, serve as judges, prophets, or even redeemers in local or temporary contexts. But the eternal monarchy belongs to the House of David alone.

Can the Moshiach Come From the Lost Tribes?

Theoretically, a descendant of David could have been exiled and assimilated into one of the lost tribes, but his lineage would still trace back to David. What matters is not the tribe one lives among, but the actual ancestral line.

Therefore, if someone today is revealed to be a descendant of King David—even if his family lived among the tribes of Menashe or Ephraim—he could indeed be a candidate for Moshiach.

But if he is not from Davidic descent, then, according to Torah law, he cannot be the King Moshiach.

The Role and Signs of the Moshiach

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:4) provides a precise description of how we identify the Moshiach:

If a king arises from the House of David, who is deeply learned in Torah, fulfills its commandments like King David his ancestor, compels all Israel to follow the Torah and strengthen its observance, and fights the wars of Hashem—he is presumed to be Moshiach (chezkat Moshiach).

If he succeeds in rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash on its site and gathers the dispersed of Israel, then he is certainly the Moshiach (vadai Moshiach).

Marriage and Children – Are They Required?

The Rambam and other halachic authorities do not list marriage or children as halachic requirements for kingship or for being Moshiach. However, Jewish tradition holds that a king should ideally be married, as the Torah says (Devarim 17:17) “he shall not multiply wives for himself,” implying that he must have one proper wife.

Having a family is considered an expression of spiritual completeness and responsibility. The Moshiach represents the ideal Jew—balancing Torah, leadership, and family.

While not a technical disqualification, being unmarried would seem incomplete for someone meant to embody the fullness of human and divine purpose.

Teaching Torah and Leading Spiritually

One of the defining features of the Moshiach is his mastery of Torah. The Rambam emphasizes that he must be “hogeh baTorah”—constantly immersed in study—and must lead the people to strengthen observance and knowledge.

This means he must be a Torah teacher of the highest caliber, not only in knowledge but in example. He must guide others toward repentance, wisdom, and love of Hashem.

The Ultimate Mission

Beyond Torah leadership, Moshiach’s mission includes:

1. Rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash in Jerusalem.

2. Ingathering the exiles from all corners of the world.

3. Restoring full Torah justice through the Sanhedrin.

4. Eradicating Amalek—both the physical enemies of Israel and the spiritual force of doubt and evil that opposes holiness.

5. Bringing world peace and divine awareness, fulfilling the prophecy: “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the sea.” (Yeshayahu 11:9)

From Question to Clarity

At first glance, it seems mysterious—how could we ever identify such a person? Yet the Rambam assures us that it is a natural process.

A Torah leader will arise, he will act in the way described, and his success will make his identity clear. There is no need for miracles or speculation—just Torah, action, and faith.

In summary:

• He must be a Jewish man, from the House of David.

• He must fear Hashem, master Torah, and lead the nation back to observance.

• He must fight the wars of Hashem and rebuild the Temple.

• He should ideally be married and balanced, representing the full harmony of creation.

• Through him, the exiles will return, justice will reign, and the world will know Hashem.

And when that happens, we will recognize him not by debate, but by fulfillment—the world itself will testify:“Behold, the King Moshiach has come.”

May this study awaken within each of us the spark of Moshiach — “may we all reveal the Moshiach spark within us and harness that energy correctly.”

This spark is the essence of divine leadership, humility, and love for every Jew.

The Torah speaks of this mystery in the prophecy of “Kochav miYaakov” — “A star shall come forth from Jacob” (Bamidbar 24:17).

The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained that this “star” represents both a literal and spiritual illumination — the light of Moshiach that shines through Torah study, good deeds, and selfless love of one another.

Each time we act with holiness and unity, we ignite that star and bring the Redemption closer.

We have witnessed great miracles in the last two years — signs of divine providence guiding Am Yisrael.

Let us continue in humility, in love of one another, and in devotion to Torah, galloping together toward the fulfillment of prophecy in action.

May the blessings of the Torah rest upon all who study and act for the sake of Heaven:

“Hashem will bless you and guard you.” – Bamidbar 6:24

“Hashem will cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.” – Bamidbar 6:25

“Hashem will lift His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” – Bamidbar 6:26

“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” – Shemot 19:6

“And all nations of the earth shall be blessed through you.” – Bereishit 12:3

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the sea.” – Yeshayahu 11:9

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares.” – Yeshayahu 2:4

“Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and those who return to her, with righteousness.” – Yeshayahu 1:27

“The glory of Hashem shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” – Yeshayahu 40:5

“The Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day Hashem will be One and His Name One.” – Zechariah 14:9

May these verses strengthen our faith, inspire our unity, and hasten the true and complete Geulah — with kindness, mercy, and eternal joy.

Blessings to all of Israel and to all who love Hashem.

May we soon see the revelation of Moshiach in our days — speedily, with light, peace, and everlasting redemption.