Mashiach is a human being, born in normal fashion of human parents.
3 The only qualification about his origins is that he is a descendant of King David,
4 through the lineage of his son Solomon.
5 From his birth onwards his righteousness will increase continually, and by virtue of his deeds he will merit sublime levels of spiritual perfection.
6
B. Mashiach In Every Generation
Any time is a potential time for the coming of Mashiach.
7 This does not mean, however, that at the appropriate time he will suddenly emerge from Heaven to appear on earth.
8 On the contrary: Mashiach is already on earth, a human being of great saintly status (a
tzadik) appearing and existing in every generation. “In every generation is born a progeny of Judah fit to be Israel’s Mashiach!”
9
On the particular day that marks the end of the
galut, when Mashiach will redeem Israel, the unique pre-existing soul of Mashiach ‘stored’ in Gan Eden from aforetimes will descend and be bestowed upon that
tzadik.
10 R. Mosheh Sofer summarizes this principle in his responsa:
11