Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction/2
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Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction
Exegetical Approaches
All Divinely Commanded
The miracles and deeds performed by a prophet are done via Divine command. Despite Hashem's instructions not being explicitly mentioned, it can be assumed that they were communicated to Moshe.
Sources:Josephus, Yerushalmi, Bereshit Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah, R. Saadia Gaon, R. Yehuda ibn Balaam, Rashbam, Tosafot, Radak,1 Ramban #2, R. Yosef ibn Kaspi,2
Prophetic autonomy – According to this approach, prophets do not have the power to change nature on their own, and any miracle that a prophet performs is done only at Hashem's command.3 It is possible to go even further and suggest that prophets do not even have the autonomy to act or to make any significant decisions except with Divine guidance.4
Biblical cases – This position attempts to explain away all cases where a prophet seems to be acting on his own:
- Incense test – Many of these sources5 understand Moshe's falling on his face after Korach's initial complaint as a sign of prophetic communication. At this juncture, Hashem told him how to proceed during the rebellion and directed him to propose the incense test. Rashbam claims that Moshe's later words "בְּזֹאת תֵּדְעוּן כִּי י"י שְׁלָחַנִי לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵת כׇּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים הָאֵלֶּה" refer to his hope that the nation will recognize that the test was devised by Hashem, and not himself.6
- Earth opening – Ramban maintains that in Hashem's words, "הֵעָלוּ מִסָּבִיב לְמִשְׁכַּן קֹרַח דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם" He hinted that the earth was to swallow the leaders, so here, too, Moshe was not declaring a miracle on his own.7
- Moshe and the petition of the 2/12 tribes – These sources would likely view the tribes' words "אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר י"י אֶל עֲבָדֶיךָ כֵּן נַעֲשֶׂה" as proof that Moshe did not independently decide that they could settle the eastern bank.
- Yehoshua and the sun – These sources would likely explain that Yehoshua was not decreeing that the sun stand still, but rather praying to Hashem for aid, hoping that He would acquiesce to make a miracle. Thus, the verse states, "אָז יְדַבֵּר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לַי"י " emphasizing that Yehosua's word were addressed to Hashem, and were not a public declaration.
- Shemuel bringing rain – This approach would likely explain that, despite the text's silence, Shemuel had been told beforehand to bring rain as a sign for the people. However, it is difficult to understand why he then needed to pray that the rain come. The position could answer that Shemuel wanted to ensure that the people recognized that the rain was indeed coming from Hashem.
- Natan and the Beit HaMikdash
- Eliyahu's miracles – Ibn Kaspi asserts that despite Eliyahu's words that rain will not come "כִּי אִם לְפִי דְבָרִי"
- Elisha's miracles
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Why is Hashem's command not explicitly stated?
"מֵקִים דְּבַר עַבְדּוֹ"
Prophetic fallibility
Speaking/ Acting in Hashem's name
Moshe versus other prophets
Evaluation of Prophetic ability
Prophet's Own Initiative
A prophet is granted the ability by Hashem to act and perform wonders on his own initiative.
Prophetic Prayer
When a prophet declares that a miracle that was not Divinely commanded is to happen, he is in effect praying that Hashem will fulfill his words and risks the possibility that Hashem will not accede to his request.
Uniqueness of Moshe
