Philosophy:Requirements for Prophecy/2
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Requirements for Prophecy
Exegetical Approaches
Hashem's Choice
Non-Jewish prophets – R. Yehuda HaLevi asserts that a non-Jew can not prophesy, as Hashem only passed on the "עִנְיָן הָאֱלֹהִי" to the descendants of Yaakov, allowing only them to be prophets.
Moshe and other prophets
Cease of prophecy – R. Yehuda HaLevi mentions two conditions needed, that the entire nation be in the land of Israel, and that there be worship of Hashem in the Beit HaMikdash.
"וּבְטֶרֶם תֵּצֵא מֵרֶחֶם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיךָ"
Levels of prophecy
Revelation at Mt. Sinai – This approach maintains that every person from the Children of Israel can receive a prophecy, and therefore it is not surprising what happened at Mt. Sinai.
Nature of prophecy
Hashem's providence
Human Perfection
Non-Jewish prophets
Moshe and other prophets – These commentators explain that Moshe's prophecy was different because he reached the highest level of perfection which no other prophet reached.1 The prophets who were at lower levels received most of their prophecies in riddles and parables, but Moshe received clear messages. Ibn Kaspi asserts that therefore Hashem gave Moshe the Torah.
Cease of prophecy
"וּבְטֶרֶם תֵּצֵא מֵרֶחֶם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיךָ" – This approach does not account for all the prophets who were born into prophecy. Seemingly they explain that they have the potential to become prophets and they can either use the potential or not.
Levels of prophecy
Revelation at Mt. Sinai
Nature of prophecy
Hashem's providence – Ralbag holds that Hashem provides for the world only on a general level, making it difficult to say that Hashem chooses who he wants to be a prophet.
"וְעַתָּה קְחוּ לִי מְנַגֵּן" – Ralbag writes that anger prevents the mind from focusing, being concerned with what angered the person. Therefore Elisha requested that they sing to him in order to calm him down so that he will be able to prophesy.
Combination
Sources:Rambam,
Non-Jewish prophets – Theoretically there is no problem with non-Jewish prophets who manage to reach high levels or perfection, however, Hashem chose not to have any, since they have no purpose. This was a result of Moshe's request from Hashem that there be no prophets among non-Jews.
Moshe and other prophets – Different people have different capabilities regarding their level of imagination
Cease of prophecy – According to the Rambam, there are no prophets anymore because one needs to be happy in order to be able to separate one's mind from one's thoughts, and that is not possible in our generation where there is not Beit HaMikdash.
"וּבְטֶרֶם תֵּצֵא מֵרֶחֶם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיךָ" – Rambam explains the verses to be referring to a sense of imagination which one is needed to be born with in order to receive prophecies.
Levels of prophecy
Revelation at Mt. Sinai – Rambam understands that each person in the nation received only what they were capable of receiving, based on their level. R. Moshe Narvoni suggests that the nation prepared for the revelation during the three days of preparation, and that is how they were capable of receiving prophecy.
Nature of prophecy
Hashem's providence
Barukh b. Neriya – Rambam says Barukh b. Neriya prepared himself to be a prophet, however, Hashem chose not to let him prophesy.2
