1. According to Judaism, how will the Messiah be recognized?

                     (this question was sent in by 17 people)

First it must be noted that the Hebrew Bible never once requires that we “believe” in the Messiah; only that we wait for him with anticipation. His appearance and his mission will be verified openly before all the world.  The Scriptures clearly describe the conditions that will be on the earth that will make it very plain to all that the Messiah is ruling and reigning in Jerusalem .Until these conditions are met and the anointed King of Israel is ruling and reigning over the entire earth, all other claimants to the title are rejected by Jewish people.

 

This is what the world scene will be when Messiah has arrived.

1. All warfare will cease and weapons will be turned into agricultural tools

                                                               (Isaiah 2.4)

2. The Knowledge of G-d will fill the world. (Isaiah 11.9)

3. Death will cease. (Isaiah 25.8)  

4. The dead will be resurrected. (Isaiah 26.19)  

5. Eternal joy and gladness will characterize the Jewish people.                                                                    (Isaiah 9:2, 12:6, 35:10)  

6. The ruined cities of Israel shall be restored. (Ezekiel 16.55)  

7. All Jews will return to Israel . (Ezekiel 37.21)  

8. All weapons of war will be destroyed. (Ezekiel 39.9)  

9. The third temple will be built. (Ezekiel 40)  

10. The nations (goyim) will turn to the Jews for spiritual guidance.                                                                         (Zechariah 8.23)  

11. The whole world will worship the One G-d of Israel . (Zechariah 14.16)

12. The New Covenant with the House of Judah & the House of Israel                                will be in full effect.  (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

2. Since the Psalms tell us to worship Hashem with trumpets, harps and tambourines, etc., why are there no musical instruments in synagogue on Shabbat?

1. Even though music was an important part of the Temple services, it was not carried over to the synagogues following the destruction of the 2nd Temple as an expression of mourning for the destruction. Our tradition has it that music will once again resume in the Third Temple when it is completed by the mashiach. The psalms were accompanied by instrumental music every day in the Temple, now, without the Temple, we recite the appropriate psalm during prayer each day.

 

  3. What is Judaism's position on organ donation?

According to Jewish leaders from across the established movements and denominations, organ donation, far from being against Jewish law, is a Jewish obligation.  "Since we have a religious obligation to save human lives when in danger, and since that obligation overrides all other religious obligations, we are obligated to give (organs). To refuse to give consent is a violation of Jewish law," said Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser of Congregation B'nai Sholom in Newington, Conn. A fundamental value in the Jewish community is the dignity

and sanctity of human life.

The applicable commandment is pekuach nefesh (the mitzvah of saving a life), which takes precedence over everything except prohibitions against murder, idol worship, and sexual perversion.

It's not always a simple cut and dry issue, however.  For example, if a person is on life support but not "technically" dead, some medical personnel might remove an organ, thereby actually killing the person, which is forbidden.  So in this matter as in so many others, before making a final decision or signing a document for organ donation, one is advised to discuss the matter with one's Rabbi in order to spell out very clearly exactly what may and may  not be done with one's organs at or after one's passing.