In the realms of the Aggadah and the esoteric aspects of the Torah, it is customary to speak of two figures in the process of redemption — Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David (and in the Zohar, even a third figure is mentioned, Moshe the Faithful Shepherd). Mashiach ben Yosef, who is involved in wars, is at high risk of being killed in battle, and Mashiach ben David, who merits peace and wholeness, prays for him to be granted life.
The Or HaChaim explains that this difference is the point that distinguishes between the redemption of "if they are not worthy — 'in its time'" and the redemption of "if they are worthy — 'I will hasten it'": When "they are not worthy," Mashiach ben Yosef is killed, and the redemption is completed by Mashiach ben David alone. However, when "they are worthy," Mashiach ben Yosef is saved, and the redemption is realized through both Mashiachs together.
The aim to save Mashiach ben Yosef and connect him to the leadership of Mashiach ben David can be extended further, uniting both in a single personality. Thus, in Maimonides' writings, there is no division into two Messiahs. Instead, they are reflected in the two distinct stages he describes: "If a king arises from the house of David, learned in Torah and occupied with commandments like David his ancestor, according to the Written and Oral Torah, and compels all of Israel to walk in it and strengthens its breaches, and fights the wars of God — he is presumed to be Mashiach" (who is still at risk of being killed). "If he succeeds and is victorious over all the nations around him, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, he is definitely the Mashiach." (The third figure mentioned in the Zohar can be linked to the dissemination of the knowledge of God to all nations as described in the continuation of his words). In other words, when the Mashiach is young, he is Mashiach ben Yosef, and when he matures, he becomes Mashiach ben David.
And what is the difference between the two Messiahs? It is written that Mashiach ben Yosef operates in a natural manner, while Mashiach ben David merits miracles. In light of this, one might think that Mashiach ben Yosef works on building the physicality and Mashiach ben David works on spirituality, but the opposite is true — Mashiach ben Yosef deals with the rectification of the inner aspect, from which every true process of rectification begins, while Mashiach ben David deals with the rectification of the outer aspect, which comes in the second stage.
How so? The rectification of the inner aspect belongs to the realm of what is naturally possible for a person — the Mashiach, through his choice, “learns Torah and engages in commandments,” works to bring all of Israel closer and enlists in their defense. In contrast, success in rectifying the outer aspect depends on miraculous Divine assistance — thus, it is this aspect that transforms a kosher king into the “definite Mashiach.” The prayer that Mashiach ben Yosef should not die is a prayer for a smooth transition between “acts” and “succeeds” — the fusion of nature and miracle, the inner and the outer.
Regarding Mashiach, it is said, "He who has compassion for them will lead them." Within each and every one of us there is a spark of Mashiach. To merit redemption, we must reveal that spark. We need to act naturally to rectify our inner selves, to identify with the people of Israel and have compassion for them, and from that compassion, to bestow upon them all goodness. We must pray that the actions we can initiate within our circles will miraculously break through into the inner world and bring the true and complete redemption to the entire world.
