Nevuah: Words of the Prophets
The words of true prophets, conveying the "word of G-d", are to be heeded
and obeyed by the people. It was forbidden for a prophet to give false
prophecy or to prophesize in the name of foreign gods (Devarim 18:15-
Whether Jewish or non-Jewish, man or woman, the task of prophet was as
the "mouthpiece" of G-d to reveal His word to the world.
Historically, prophecy flourished up and until the period of the Men of
the Great Assembly (beginning of the Second Temple). While there were over
one million prophets, only 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses are recorded by
the Talmud for posterity (Megillah 14a). So while this concept may be
foreign to the modern mind, it is nevertheless a central tenet of Judaism.
In fact, the Children of Israel are themselves identified with
prophecy: "Even if they [Israel] are not prophets, they are [nevertheless]
the sons of prophets" (Pesachim 66b).
Prophecy was the greatest spiritual experience humanly possible. It was
not accidentally attained. Quite the contrary! Prophecy was the result of
an intense program of spiritual and ethical development to refine the
personality of the navi, "prophet" to become the faithful transmitter of G-
d's word to man. "I will place My word in his mouth and he will tell them
all that which I [G-d] command him" (Devarim 18:18).
What is the underlying principle behind prophecy? It stresses that the
relationship between Creator and His creatures exists and endures. G-d
created the world and is involved in the running of its affairs. And so, G-
d continuously communicates His "word" to man by openly instructing him
how to conduct himself in this universe.
The manifestation of the "word of G-d" could take many forms.
Its most prominently display, by far, remains the national giving of
Torah, at the hands of Moshe the greatest prophet, to determine the
immutable laws of G-d which man would always to live by. All prophecies
are considered a "sequel" to that Divine revelation, with every future
prophecy originating from Sinai (Berachos 5a). How every prophecy is an
extension of Sinai is not vis-à-vis the revelation of Torah (which will
not be duplicated and whose laws he has no authority to permanently
rescind), but rather in the communication of the true "word of G-d".
(Hence to pronounce a false prophecy or claim one was a representative of
a foreign god was such a reprehensible misdemeanor.)
All objectives of the prophet were towards proclaiming the "word of G-d".
* When the occasion dictated, prophets like Eliyahu and Elisha,
performed wondrous miracles to glorifying His Name.
* The less-than-popular directive of the prophet was to habitually
admonish the people to return from their evil ways in repentance (See
Rambam, Hilchos Teshuva 4, Ran, Nedarim 22b). One famous example of this
was Yonah enjoined to journey to Ninveh in Assyria and to inspire the
sinful people to undertake a spiritual rejuvenation by taking the "word of
G-d" to heart.
* The prophet was to vividly paint the apocalyptic destruction
destined to strike the nation should they not mend their ways and return
to G-d. This underscores the divine Providence within the universe.
* Finally, there are prophecies about the future and the Messianic
Epoch (e.g. Yeshayah and Yechezkel) where the "word of G-d" was to comfort
and console the Jewish nation should never lose hope about their future.
They had the Divine covenant that G-d would never reject them.
Significantly, all prophecies recorded within the canon of Tanach have a
timeless quality about them. They are everlasting teachings relevant for
all future generations (Megillah 14a) – even today where prophetic
inspiration has unfortunately ceased.
That "word of G-d" from a prophet cannot be heard in today's world. But in
the world to come, all of Israel will become prophets (Bamidbar Rabbah
The course is presented by Osher Chaim Levene, author of SET IN STONE (2004: Targum) about the meaning of mitzvah observance and PEOPLE OF THE BOOK (2007: Targum) about the biblical personalities. A London-based writer and educator whose website www.mitzva.org explores the wisdom of the commandments, he learned at the Gateshead and Mir Yeshivas, holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) business degree from London's City University, and is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.