<html><body><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000"><div>In Mishneh Torah Melachim uMilchamot 11, the Rambam writes that if a ruler arises and<br></div><div>he isn't successful in building the mikdash and gathering the exiles, or he dies, then he <br></div><div>isn't the Moshiach, and "HKB"H caused him to arise only to test the many".<br></div><div><br></div><div>But what, according to Rambam, is passing the test? Do we pass the test if we don't<br></div><div>follow the Moshiach while he is alive, or if we do? That is, following him while he is alive<br></div><div>and trying to build the Mikdash, etc -- assuming he appears to have the qualities of Moshiach --<br></div><div>could be a sign that we believe in Moshiach, and that we are trying to make the conditions right<br></div><div>to usher in the Messianic era.<br></div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, maybe passing the test is NOT being 'fooled' by a false messiah. (Although<br></div><div>Rambam seems to imply that many people could be the Messiah, and we should believe until<br></div><div>we get proof otherwise -- by failure or death).<br></div><div><br></div><div>A third possibility: The test only refers to what happens when the supposed messiah fails or dies.</div><div>Then, obviously, we should not believe he was the messiah, and shouldn't follow him.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for your insight.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Steve<br></div><div><br></div></div></body></html>