Your answers
Do Jews still await the coming of a Messiah?
Traditional Judaism teaches that the Jewish people in exile will
be redeemed by a Messiah who will usher in an age of righteousness
and peace.
There are, of course, many references to the coming of the
Messiah in the books of the Tanakh (Old Testament) - some cryptic,
some more obvious. The books of Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and
Ezekiel, in particular, discuss visions of a future time after the
arrival of the Messiah; these include the expectation that he will
be a direct descendant of King David.
The 12th-century Jewish scholar Maimonides identified 13
principles of Jewish faith, one of which is "I believe with perfect
faith in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may delay, I
will nevertheless wait for him." Many devout Jews would argue that
one should not just be awaiting but constantly anxious for the
coming of the Messiah, and prepared for his arrival.
In progressive forms of Judaism, beliefs about the Messiah vary
from the traditional Orthodox stance. Reform Judaism rejects the
notion that redemption will arrive through a single, personal,
Messiah, but still maintains its belief in a future messianic age
of peace.
Within Conservative Judaism, it is accepted that people are free
to interpret Jewish texts surrounding the coming of the Messiah as
literal or metaphorical, and so, while some may choose to believe
in a personal Messiah, others may simply believe in a future
"Messianic age" of harmony.
Aron Carr
The Council of Christians and Jews
Collaboration House
London W1
Your questions
A vicar will rush around celebrating parish eucharists with sermon
in all three benefice churches, plus an additional sung evensong in
one of them on every major festival, even though he has a capable
and experienced NS assistant priest, and an active retired priest
who do not celebrate the eucharist on those days, and a Reader. His
reason is "It is what people expect." Is it likely that they do;
and should they?
M. B.
When "Public Worship with Communion by Extension" was introduced
in the 2000s, it was helpful to clergy with multiple-church
benefices. Officiants were licensed by the bishop for a limited
period, but did not need to be Readers. A record was kept of the
use, the reason, and the number of participants. Is there any
monitoring now of the use of this service? Do many churches use it,
and are the officiants licensed specifically, or is it included in
the licence for Readers (LLMs)?
W. P.
Last year, you obtained for a reader details of a painting. Could
you do the same for me in respect of this painting
(above)?
G. W.
Address for answers and more questions: Out of the Question,
Church Times, 3rd floor, Invicta House, 108-114 Golden
Lane, London EC1Y 0TG. questions@churchtimes.co.uk