Understanding Mashiach ben Yosef: A Key Figure in Jewish Eschatology

1. The Two-Part Redemption. The ultimate redemption is set to occur in two stages: the first involves battling evil, wickedness, and Esau, which will be the role of Mashiach ben Yosef, as the sages state, "Esau's offspring will be handed over to Joseph's offspring." Here is what the Malbim wrote about it (in his commentary on Ezekiel, Chapter 37): "According to the tradition of our sages, Mashiach ben Yosef will first arise, a king from the ten tribes, who will wage wars. All Israel will gather under his banner, until Ben-David comes and rules over them."
The second part of the redemption will be the construction of the Third Temple and the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel, achieved by Mashiach ben David, known as 'the righteous Mashiach.' His role will also be to teach the people the ways of Torah and commandments.

2. His Role. Mashiach ben Yosef is a descendant of Joseph the Righteous, belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim (Joseph's son), thus sometimes referred to as 'Mashiach ben Ephraim' in traditional texts.

Mashiach ben Yosef, called 'the warrior Mashiach,' will fight Hashem's battles and pave the way for Mashiach ben David's arrival. He will serve as a guide to the nation, correcting its course, as Rabbi Saadia Gaon writes in his "Emunot v'Deot" (Eighth Treatise): "Like a refiner with fire for those with severe transgressions, and like a laundress with soap for those with minor transgressions, as it says afterwards: 'For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.'"

3. His Passing. Before the War of Gog and Magog, the final war before the complete redemption, a new leader will rise for the nation of Israel, who will be Mashiach ben Yosef. During the war, he will be killed by 'Armilus the Wicked,' who is thought to be the leader of today's Iran (according to the Zohar, Parashat Shelach Lecha, page 166a). Zechariah's prophecy describes the immense mourning among the people following his death: "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication, and they will look upon Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn. On that day, the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo, and the land will mourn, each family by itself" (Zechariah 12:10-12).

After some time, Mashiach ben David will appear, avenging the death of Mashiach ben Yosef and resurrecting him.

4. It's Up to Us. Rabbi Saadia Gaon explains that these events are not necessarily fated to occur, as they depend on the spiritual state of the nation at the time. The role of Mashiach ben Yosef is to prepare the people for the complete redemption and uplift their spiritual state through challenging trials. If the people do not repent, Mashiach ben Yosef will come. However, if the Jewish people repent, Mashiach ben Yosef will not need to precede Mashiach ben David, and those difficult events associated with his coming and passing will not happen. Here's his wording: "If we do not repent, the events of Mashiach ben Yosef will occur; if we repent, we will be spared them, and Mashiach ben David will suddenly reveal himself to us... If he does not come, Mashiach ben David will come suddenly, as it says: 'And suddenly the Lord you seek will come to His Temple.' He will lead the people until they reach the Temple. If Armilus has him, he will kill him and take him from his hand."

5. Praying Now. Even if Mashiach ben Yosef does appear, his death is not certain, as we have the ability to sweeten the judgments. The holy Arizal writes that one should focus three times a day during the Amidah prayer when asking, "And quickly establish the throne of David Your servant within it," that Hashem will revive Mashiach ben Yosef and ensure he does not die at the hands of Armilus the Wicked. Mashiach ben Yosef is called the 'throne of David' as he prepares the world for Mashiach ben David. Through prayer, the sins of Israel can be atoned for, leading to the sweetening of judgments (according to "Sha'ar HaKavanot," the Arizal, Drushei HaAmidah, Drush 6).

Who is Mashiach ben Yosef? Rabbi Eliyahu Amar explains. Watch: