One of the fundamental tenets of Judaism is the belief in the Messiah, the Savior who is to come, redeem the people of Israel from their suffering in exile, lead them back to Jerusalem, and establish the rule of peace over all the nations of the world. The organic growth of the Messiah myth from its earliest Biblical indications resulted, in the course of many centuries, in a burgeoning of ornate elaboration and the addition of many new motifs. But while the particulars of the expected Messianic events and era thus changed from time to time, the basic belief in him who must come remained the same and sustained the Jewish people for two millennia.
- Professor: Tracy Times