Rashi and Messiah
Rashi is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Jewish commentators of all times. Almost every edition of the Talmud printed since the invention of the printing press has included the text of Rashi’s commentary side-by-side with the Talmudic text. Many traditional Jews will not study the Bible without a Rashi commentary beside it. So what does this great Bible scholar have to say about the Messiah?
It would be absurd to claim that Rashi believed Jesus could be the Messiah. It would be just as absurd to claim that is what we are trying to say by publishing this page. We are simply trying to show the similarity of ideas about the Messiah between Christians and ancient Jewish rabbis.
I do not agree with all of Rashi’s comments on the verses below. Nevertheless, I have left the complete quote intact. I have not sliced it, diced it, nor doctored it in any way.
First, I give the verse Rashi is commenting on. Next I give Rashi’s thoughts. Finally, I show how this is exactly what Christianity teaches regarding the Messiah.
And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. Ex 4:20
The designated donkey/ That is the donkey that Abraham saddled for the binding of Isaac’ and that is the one upon whom the King Messiah is destined to appear’ as it is said: “humble’ and riding a donkey” (Zech. 9:9)/-[from Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer’ ch/ 31] and he returned to the land of Egypt’ and Moses took the staff. Chronological order is not strictly adhered to in the Scriptures……Rashi
Christians have often been ridiculed for teaching that Abraham’s offering up of his son, Isaac, was symbolic of God offering up His son, Jesus. It appears that Rashi saw a little symbolism in this passage as well.
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan 12:12
Forty five years are added to the above number’ for our King Messiah is destined to be hidden after he is revealed and to be revealed again/ So we find in Midrash Ruth’ and so did Rabbi Eleazar HaKalir establish (in the concluding poem of the morning service of the portion dealing with the month of Nissan): “and he will be concealed from them six weeks of years/” ….Rashi
Rashi had the idea that Messiah would be revealed, hidden, then revealed again. Could it be that these two revelations of the Messiah are the two comings of Christ? He was revealed, hidden, and will soon be revealed again!
The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. Isa 11:13
The Messiah’ the son of David’ and the Messiah’ the son of Joseph’ shall not envy each other/ …Rashi
Rashi believed that there would be two Messiahs each coming once. We believe there is one Messiah who comes twice. All prophecy concerning Messiah, the son of Joseph was fulfilled at Jesus’ first coming. All prophecy concerning Messiah, the son of David, will be fulfilled at Jesus’ second coming.
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. Isa 24:18
Whoever escapes the sword of the Messiah the son of Joseph shall fall into the sword of the Messiah the son of David’ and whoever escapes from there shall be snared in the trap of the wars of Gog/ …Rashi
Another reference to two Messiahs. See note above.
The fot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. Isa 26:6o
Is 26:6 the feet of a poor man The King Messiah’ who is referred to as a poor man riding on a donkey (Zech/ 9:9)/ the soles of the impoverished Israel’ who were heretofore impoverished/ …Rashi
Another reference to the King Messiah riding on a donkey. This reinforces our previous argument about Abraham and Isaac as well as our point about the two Messiahs being one person. A King on a donkey? Sounds like Messiah ben David is becoming Messiah ben Joseph.
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