Philosophy:Requirements for Prophecy/2

Requirements for Prophecy

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Hashem's Choice

Sources:R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3:3-5About R. Saadia Gaon, Kuzari1:40-431:951:1031:1152:11-14About R. Yehuda HaLevi, AbarbanelShemot 19:8About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel,

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

Nature of prophecy

Hashem's providence

Human Perfection

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiTirat Kesef p. 4Tirat Kesef pp. 25-27About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, RalbagMelakhim II 3:15Milchamot HaShem 2:6Milchamot HaShem 2:8About R. Levi b. Gershom,

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"

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:RambamCommentary on the Mishna Sanhedrin 10:1Shemonah Perakim 7Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 7:1-7Moreh Nevukhim 2:32Moreh Nevukhim 2:36About R. Moshe b. Maimon,

Non-Jewish prophets

Moshe and other prophets

Cease of prophecy

"וּבְטֶרֶם תֵּצֵא מֵרֶחֶם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיךָ"

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.

Nature of prophecy

Hashem's providence

Baruk b. Neriya – Rambam says Barukh b. Neriya prepared himself to be a prophet, however, Hashem chose not to let him prophesy.

¹ Ralbag says theoretically another prophet can get to Moshe's level, but the chances of that happening are very low.