The Birth Pangs of the Messiah

Second Baruch contains a classic statement of the idea that the messianic kingdom will be ushered in by a period of unprecedented confusion, war, and suffering—the “birth pangs of the Messiah.” The Babylonian Talmud explains that the period before the Messiah appears will be a difficult one and thus echoes earlier traditions about the “birth pangs.” It then presents various calculations as to when the Messiah will appear, as well as admonitions to refrain from such calculations.