Question
The "savior" of the Jewish people
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GPT-5 mini
Do you mean the theological “savior” in Judaism (the Messiah / mashiach), or a historical person who is/was called a savior of the Jewish people (Moses, Judah Maccabee, Theodor Herzl, Oskar Schindler, etc.)? I can explain either or both.
Brief overview to help you pick:
- Messiah (mashiach): In Jewish belief the mashiach is a future anointed human leader — a descendant of King David — who will gather the exiles, rebuild the Temple (in some views), establish world peace and universal knowledge of God. Judaism does not conceive of a divine redeemer who dies for sins as in mainstream Christian theology.
- Moses: The central biblical leader who liberated the Israelites from Egypt and gave them the Torah; often considered the greatest savior/prophet in Jewish history.
- Judah Maccabee / Hasmoneans: Led the revolt that restored Jewish worship and autonomy in the 2nd century BCE; celebrated at Hanukkah.
- Simon Bar Kokhba: Led a major revolt against Rome (132–135 CE) and was considered by some contemporaries to be a messianic figure, though his revolt failed.
- Modern figures called “saviors” by some: Theodor Herzl (founder of modern political Zionism), Chaim Weizmann (first president of Israel), and political leaders who helped rescue Jews before/during/after WWII.
- Individual rescuers in the Holocaust: people like Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg, Chiune Sugihara are often described as saviors for rescuing many Jews.
Tell me which angle you want—do you want a detailed explanation of the messianic concept, biographies of particular historical “saviors,” or sources and texts on the topic?
Brief overview to help you pick:
- Messiah (mashiach): In Jewish belief the mashiach is a future anointed human leader — a descendant of King David — who will gather the exiles, rebuild the Temple (in some views), establish world peace and universal knowledge of God. Judaism does not conceive of a divine redeemer who dies for sins as in mainstream Christian theology.
- Moses: The central biblical leader who liberated the Israelites from Egypt and gave them the Torah; often considered the greatest savior/prophet in Jewish history.
- Judah Maccabee / Hasmoneans: Led the revolt that restored Jewish worship and autonomy in the 2nd century BCE; celebrated at Hanukkah.
- Simon Bar Kokhba: Led a major revolt against Rome (132–135 CE) and was considered by some contemporaries to be a messianic figure, though his revolt failed.
- Modern figures called “saviors” by some: Theodor Herzl (founder of modern political Zionism), Chaim Weizmann (first president of Israel), and political leaders who helped rescue Jews before/during/after WWII.
- Individual rescuers in the Holocaust: people like Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg, Chiune Sugihara are often described as saviors for rescuing many Jews.
Tell me which angle you want—do you want a detailed explanation of the messianic concept, biographies of particular historical “saviors,” or sources and texts on the topic?