According to Jewish oral tradition, there are meant to be two Messiahs: Mashiach ben Yosef [the Messiah who comes from the line Yosef] and Mashiach ben David [the Messiah who comes from the line of David]. The concept of two separate Messiahs is not often discussed in Judaism, perhaps in order to minimize the confusion that might arise between the Jewish belief and the Christian idea of a second coming. The Jewish concept of the Messiah has nothing to do with the Christian version, as we will see. There is an opinion among our sages that Mashiach ben Yosef will be killed. (It does not, however, say that he will be revived for a second coming.) Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook explains that Mashiach ben Yosef is a nationalistic Mashiach, whose task is to bring national redemption to the Jewish people. In fact, any person that participates in the building of the Land of Israel, Rav Kook explains, embodies some of the spirit of Mashiach ben Yosef. So why must Mashiach ben Yosef be killed? Rav Kook explains that when our nationalistic redemption evolves to an extreme level, in which we become preoccupied with ourselves and forget about our universal mission to be a light to the nations, then Mashiach ben Yosef must give way for the coming of Mashiach ben David. When we care only about our own redemption and we lose our concern for the redemption of the rest of the world, Mashiach ben Yosef must be eliminated. As God’s agent, Mashiach ben Yosef accomplishes our national redemption. When this happens, we will enjoy full sovereignty over the entire Land of Israel and live in peace. Mashiach ben David, however, comes to achieve universal redemption. When he comes, nations will not longer war with each other. As the prophet says, “they will beat their swords into plowshares” and world peace will reign supreme. Rav Kook also explains that Mashiach ben David will connect all other religions back to the Torah. At that time, the sparks of truth within the various religions will shine through and the falsehoods will be exposed. All the religions of the world are in fact rooted in the Torah, however because these traditions were severed from the Torah, they were interpreted by their followers out of context and, as a result, many false notions arose. When Mashiach ben David comes, these distortions and perversions will be corrected and the entire world will live according to the Torah’s values and ideals.