DEUT513 If it is true that the concept of the Messiah is so basic to Judaism, then why is there no specific mention of Messiah in the Torah (the Five Books Of Moses)? Some have used the lack of reference to Messiah in the Torah as a proof that the Messianic concept came much later in Jewish history or that it is not truly a basic Jewish concept. These explanations are far from the truth, as the lack of direct mention of Messiah in the Torah has been explained along with a general lack of spiritual rewards and references in the Torah. Although clearly part of basic Judaism, the spiritual aspects of Judaism and the spiritual awards for mitzvah actions are not mentioned it all. Why? It has been explained that the Torah mentions only concepts that the entire people could relate to. In selecting the lowest common denominator, the Torah speaks to all the people and delineates those ideas and rewards that everyone can grasp. Thus, it is the riches of much food that is promised as a reward for mitzvot in the Shema prayer [this verse] and not any spiritual promises, although these rewards would clearly come as well. Ideas beyond the comprehension of some Jews such as spirituality and the world to come are not mentioned, although they are clearly an important part of Jewish belief. Therefore, the idea of Messiah, who would come one day far in the future, was also not mentioned in the Torah itself. The prophets, on the other hand, spelled out these notions more concretely. Hence, the idea of Messiah was not mentioned openly, but was merely alluded to in the Torah. The idea of a special time "at the end of days" is certainly referred to in the Torah itself without elaborating what this means. Jacob wishes to tell his children what life will be like "in the end of days" (Genesis 49:1) before he is prevented from doing so by God. Bilaam's prophecy about the Jewish people also refers to "the end of days."(Numbers 24:14). At the end of his life, Moses, too, twice refers to life "at the end of days."(Deuteronomy 4:30 and 31:29). Therefore, while the idea of Messiah and a special time at the end of history was not openly referred to in the Torah, it was alluded to numerous times. In the book of the Prophets, particularly in the books of Isaiah and Ezekiel, the references and specifics about the Messiah are more clearly delineated. The messianic concepts are spelled out in greater detail when these prophets, unlike the Torah, referred to "the end of days."(Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 23:20, 30:24, 48:47, 49:39; Ezekiel 38:16; Hosea 3:5; Micah 4:1; and Daniel 10:14).