[Avodah] The Rambam and Eliyahu haNavi

[Ben Waxman]

To tie this discussion with another, this is exactly my point. We have an obscure midrash about MbY. The Rambam is clear about taking midrashim literally (he doesn't). So take that idea, his silence in Hilchot Milachim regarding MbY, and I come to the conclusion that the Rambam doesn't hold that one has to believe that this person will ever come.

Ben

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joel C. Salomon 


  Put it this way:  Our nevi’im have prophesied about the re-establishment of malchus beis dovid and the coming of Eliyahu haNavi.  We also have a very obscure masora about someone called “Mashiach ben Yosef”.  Rambam gives the rules for identifying a navi and Mashiach ben David, but how would you possibly positively identify Mashiach ben Yosef, and what halachic significance would this identification have?


  --Chesky
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