מוטיב המדבר ומוטיב מורה הצדק בחזון המשיחי של אבלי ציון הקראים

The detailed messianic doctrine of the Karaite Mourners of Zion who lived in Jerusalem – scattered throughout their commentaries to the prophetic books, Psalms, Song of Songs, and Daniel – exhibits considerable influence by the Qumran scrolls, as Naphtali Wieder has shown. This article is devoted to a very important phase in the Karaite salvation doctrine, during which the new Returners of Zion (שבי ציון) were expected to sojourn in the "wilderness of the peoples" (Ezek. 20:35–38) before entering the land of Israel. Thus, they envisioned a new exile – "the exile of the desert" – as preceding the final stage of salvation. According to this doctrine, during their stay in the desert, these exiles will witness the appearance of the Teacher of Righteousness, identified by the Karaites as Elijah. Under his guidance, the Jews will return to God after being misled for centuries by the Rabbanite sages. Elijah will also decipher the hidden commandments. Insofar as most of the commandments pertain to the land of Israel, the exiles in the desert will merit their fulfillment only after their entry to the land and the erection of the Temple. The conquest of the land of Israel under the leadership of the Teacher of Righteousness and the leading of the Returners of Zion there fulfills his mission. According to Karaite doctrine, two Messiahs will subsequently lead the nation of Israel in their land: one from the house of David, and the other from the priestly house.