Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam introduces us to the sublime reality of nevuah, prophecy, showing us how Hashem communicates His will to mankind. We will learn about the intense spiritual and personal preparation a person must undergo to become fit for the divine spirit to rest upon him, including mastering his yetzer hara, expanding his mind in Torah wisdom, and detaching himself from the vanities of this world.
We will also explore the mechanics of prophecy, including the different levels among the nevi'im, the physical toll that a vision takes on their bodies, and the essential role of simcha in receiving the divine presence. Finally, the Rambam will contrast the prophecy of all other nevi'im with the unique, unparalleled level of Moshe Rabbeinu, the master of all prophets.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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הַהֲכָנָה הַנִּדְרֶשֶׁת לִנְבוּאָה וְהַשְׁפָּעָתָהּ עַל הָאָדָםHalacha 1 · The Necessary Preparation for Prophecy and Its Transformative Effect on Man
מִיסוֹדֵיFrom the foundations ofהַדָּתthe faithלֵידַעis to knowשֶׁהָאֵלthat Godמְנַבֵּאprophesiesאֶת—בְּנֵיchildren ofהָאָדָם.manוְאֵיןand notהַנְּבוּאָהprophecyחָלָהrestsאֶלָּאexceptעַלuponחָכָםa sageגָּדוֹלgreatבַּחָכְמָה,in wisdomגִּבּוֹרstrongבְּמִדּוֹתָיו,in his character traitsוְלֹאand notיְהֵאwill beיִצְרוֹhis inclinationמִתְגַּבֵּרovercomingעָלָיוhimבְּדָבָרin anythingבָּעוֹלָםin the worldאֶלָּאratherהוּאheמִתְגַּבֵּרovercomesבְּדַעְתּוֹwith his mindעַלuponיִצְרוֹhis inclinationתָּמִיד.alwaysוְהוּאand heבַּעַלpossessesדֵּעָהintellectרְחָבָהbroadנְכוֹנָהcorrectעַדuntilמְאֹד.veryאָדָםa personשֶׁהוּאwho isמְמֻלָּאfilledבְּכָלwith allהַמִּדּוֹתthe character traitsהָאֵלּוּtheseשָׁלֵםhealthyבְּגוּפוֹ,in his bodyכְּשֶׁיִּכָּנֵסwhen he entersלַפַּרְדֵּסthe Pardesוְיִמָּשֵׁךְand is drawnבְּאוֹתָןinto thoseהָעִנְיָנִיםmattersהַגְּדוֹלִיםthe greatהָרְחוֹקִים,the distantוְתִהְיֶהand there will beלוֹto himדֵּעָהintellectנְכוֹנָהcorrectלְהָבִיןto understandוּלְהַשִּׂיגand to graspוְהוּאand heמִתְקַדֵּשׁsanctifies himselfוְהוֹלֵךְand goes onוּפוֹרֵשׁand separatesמִדַּרְכֵיfrom the ways ofכְּלַלthe generality ofהָעָםthe peopleהַהוֹלְכִיםwho walkבְּמַחֲשַׁכֵּיin the darkness ofהַזְּמַן,the timeוְהוֹלֵךְand goes onוּמְזָרֵזand urgesעַצְמוֹhimselfוּמְלַמֵּדand teachesנַפְשׁוֹhis soulשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּהְיֶהwill beלוֹto himמַחֲשָׁבָהthoughtכְּלָלat allבְּאֶחָדin oneמִדְּבָרִיםof thingsבְּטֵלִיםidleוְלֹאand notמֵהַבְלֵיfrom the vanities ofהַזְּמַןthe timeוְתַחְבּוּלוֹתָיו,and its intriguesאֶלָּאratherדַּעְתּוֹhis mindפְּנוּיָהis freeתָּמִידalwaysלְמַעְלָהupwardקְשׁוּרָהboundתַּחַתunderהַכִּסֵּאthe Throneלְהָבִיןto understandבְּאוֹתָןthoseהַצּוּרוֹתformsהַקְּדוֹשׁוֹתthe holyהַטְּהוֹרוֹת,the pureוּמִסְתַּכֵּלand gazesבְּחָכְמָתוֹat His wisdomשֶׁלofהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heכֻּלָּהּall of itמִצּוּרָהfrom formרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstעַדuntilטַבּוּרthe navel ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְיוֹדֵעַand knowsמֵהֶןfrom themגָּדְלוֹ,His greatnessמִיָּדimmediatelyרוּחַthe spirit ofהַקֹּדֶשׁholinessשׁוֹרָהrestsעָלָיו.upon himוּבְעֵתand at the timeשֶׁתָּנוּחַthat restsעָלָיוupon himהָרוּחַthe spiritתִּתְעָרֵבinterminglesנַפְשׁוֹhis soulבְּמַעֲלַתin the level ofהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsהַנִּקְרָאִיםthe calledאִישִׁיםIshimוְיֵהָפֵךְand he is transformedלְאִישׁinto a manאַחֵרanotherוְיָבִיןand he understandsבְּדַעְתּוֹwith his mindשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notכְּמוֹתlikeשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasאֶלָּאratherשֶׁנִּתְעַלָּהthat he has risenעַלaboveמַעֲלַתthe level ofשְׁאָרthe rest ofבְּנֵיthe children ofאָדָםmanהַחֲכָמִים,the wiseכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidבְּשָׁאוּלconcerning ShaulשמואלShmuelאAlephיYudוVav"וְהִתְנַבִּיתָand you shall prophesyעִמָּםwith themוְנֶהְפַּכְתָּand you shall be transformedלְאִישׁinto a manאַחֵר":another
This halacha outlines the intellectual, moral, and spiritual prerequisites a person must achieve before the divine spirit of prophecy can rest upon them.
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מַעֲלוֹת הַנְּבוּאָה וְהַשִּׁנּוּיִם הַגּוּפָנִיִּים בְּעֵת הַחִזָּיוֹןHalacha 2 · The Levels of Prophecy and the Physical Effects of Prophetic Vision
הַנְּבִיאִיםThe prophetsמַעֲלוֹתlevelsמַעֲלוֹתlevelsהֵן.areכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבַּחָכְמָהin wisdomחָכָםa sageגָּדוֹלgreaterמֵחֲבֵרוֹthan his colleagueכָּךְsoבַּנְּבוּאָהin prophecyנָבִיאa prophetגָּדוֹלgreaterמִנָּבִיא.than a prophetוְכֻלָּןand all of themאֵיןdo notרוֹאִיןseeמַרְאֵהthe vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyאֶלָּאexceptבַּחֲלוֹםin a dreamבְּחֶזְיוֹןin a vision ofלַיְלָה.nightאוֹorבַּיּוֹםby dayאַחַרafterשֶׁתִּפּלthat fallsעֲלֵיהֶןupon themתַּרְדֵּמָהa deep sleepכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidבמדברNumbersיב12ו6"בַּמַּרְאָהin a visionאֵלָיוto himאֶתְוַדָּעI make Myself knownבַּחֲלוֹםin a dreamאֲדַבֶּרI speakבּוֹ".with himוְכֻלָּןand all of themכְּשֶׁמִּתְנַבְּאִיםwhen they prophesyאֵיבְרֵיהֶןtheir limbsמִזְדַּעְזְעִיןtrembleוְכֹחַand the strength ofהַגּוּףthe bodyכָּשֵׁלfailsוְעֶשְׁתּוֹנוֹתֵיהֶםand their thoughtsמִתְטָרְפוֹתbecome confoundedוְתִשָּׁאֵרand remainsהַדַּעַתthe mindפְּנוּיָהfreeלְהָבִיןto understandמַהwhatשֶּׁתִּרְאֶה.it seesכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidבְּאַבְרָהָםconcerning AvrahamבראשיתGenesisטו15יב12"וְהִנֵּהand beholdאֵימָהa dreadחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessגְדלָהgreatנֹפֶלֶתfallingעָלָיו".upon himוּכְמוֹand just asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidבְּדָנִיֵּאלconcerning DanielדניאלDanielי10ח8"וְהוֹדִיand my appearanceנֶהְפַּךְwas turnedעָלַיupon meלְמַשְׁחִיתto ruinוְלֹאand notעָצַרְתִּיdid I retainכֹּחַ":strength
This halacha explains that prophets exist on different spiritual levels and describes the physical weakness and loss of senses that accompany a prophetic vision.
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דֶּרֶךְ הַמָּשָׁל וְהַחִידָה בִּנְבוּאַת הַנְּבִיאִיםHalacha 3 · The Metaphoric and Allegorical Nature of Prophetic Visions
הַדְּבָרִיםThe mattersשֶׁמּוֹדִיעִיםthat they informלַנָּבִיאthe prophetבְּמַרְאֵהin a vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyדֶּרֶךְby way ofמָשָׁלmetaphorמוֹדִיעִיןthey informלוֹhimוּמִיָּדand immediatelyיֵחָקֵקit is engravedבְּלִבּוֹin his heartפִּתְרוֹןthe interpretation ofהַמָּשָׁלthe metaphorבְּמַרְאֵהin the vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyוְיֵדַעand he knowsמָהwhatהוּא.itכְּמוֹisהַסֻּלָּםlikeשֶׁרָאָהthe ladderיַעֲקֹבthat sawאָבִינוּYaakovוּמַלְאָכִיםour fatherעוֹלִיםand angelsוְיוֹרְדִיםascendingבּוֹand descendingוְהוּאon itהָיָהand itמָשָׁלwasלְמַלְכֻיּוֹתa metaphorוְשִׁעְבּוּדָן.for the kingdomsוּכְמוֹand their subjugationהַחַיּוֹתand likeשֶׁרָאָהthe creaturesיְחֶזְקֵאלthat sawוְהַסִּירYechezkelנָפוּחַand the potוּמַקֵּלboilingשָׁקֵדand the staff ofשֶׁרָאָהalmondיִרְמְיָהthat sawוְהַמְּגִלָּהYirmeyahשֶׁרָאָהand the scrollיְחֶזְקֵאלthat sawוְהָאֵיפָהYechezkelשֶׁרָאָהand the measureזְכַרְיָה.that sawוְכֵןZecharyahשְׁאָרand soהַנְּבִיאִים.the rest ofמֵהֶםthe prophetsאוֹמְרִיםsome of themהַמָּשָׁלsayוּפִתְרוֹנוֹthe metaphorכְּמוֹand its interpretationאֵלּוּ.likeוְיֵשׁtheseשֶׁהֵןand there areאוֹמְרִיםwho theyהַפִּתְרוֹןsayבִּלְבַד.the interpretationוּפְעָמִיםaloneאוֹמְרִיםand sometimesהַמָּשָׁלthey sayבִּלְבַדthe metaphorבְּלֹאaloneפִּתְרוֹןwithoutכְּמִקְצָתinterpretationדִּבְרֵיlike some ofיְחֶזְקֵאלthe words ofוּזְכַרְיָהYechezkelוְכֻלָּןand Zecharyahבְּמָשָׁלand all of themוְדֶרֶךְin metaphorחִידָהand by way ofהֵםriddleמִתְנַבְּאִים:they
This halacha explains that prophetic visions are communicated through metaphors and allegories, the meanings of which are immediately understood by the prophet.
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הַהֲכָנָה הַנִּדְרֶשֶׁת לְקַבָּלַת הַנְּבוּאָה מִתּוֹךְ שִׂמְחָהHalacha 4 · The Preparation Required for Prophecy Through Joy
כָּלAllהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsאֵיןdo notמִתְנַבְּאִיןprophesyבְּכָלat everyעֵתtimeשֶׁיִּרְצוּthat they desireאֶלָּאratherמְכַוְּנִיםthey directדַּעְתָּםtheir mindוְיוֹשְׁבִיםand sitשְׂמֵחִיםhappyוְטוֹבֵיand good ofלֵבheartוּמִתְבּוֹדְדִים.and secluding themselvesשֶׁאֵיןfor notהַנְּבוּאָהprophecyשׁוֹרָהrestsלֹאnotמִתּוֹךְfromעַצְבוּתsadnessוְלֹאand notמִתּוֹךְfromעַצְלוּתlazinessאֶלָּאratherמִתּוֹךְfromשִׂמְחָה.joyלְפִיכָךְthereforeבְּנֵיthe disciples ofהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themנֵבֶלa harpוְתֹףand a drumוְחָלִילand a fluteוְכִנּוֹרand a lyreוְהֵםand theyמְבַקְּשִׁיםseekהַנְּבוּאָה.prophecyוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמואלShmuelאIי10ה5"וְהֵמָּהand theyמִתְנַבְּאִים"prophesyingכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayמְהַלְּכִיןwalkingבְּדֶרֶךְin the path ofהַנְּבוּאָהprophecyעַדuntilשֶׁיִּנָּבְאוּthey actually prophesyכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאַתָּהthat youאוֹמֵרsayפְּלוֹנִיso and soמִתְגַּדֵּל:is growing great
This halacha explains that prophecy does not occur at will, but requires mental preparation, seclusion, and a state of joy.
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הַהֲכָנָה לִנְבוּאָה וּבְנֵי הַנְּבִיאִיםHalacha 5 · Preparation for Prophecy and the Disciples of the Prophets
אֵלּוּTheseשֶׁהֵםwhoמְבַקְּשִׁיןseekלְהִתְנַבֵּאto prophesyהֵםtheyהַנִּקְרָאִיםare the ones calledבְּנֵיdisciples ofהַנְּבִיאִים.the prophetsוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁמְּכַוְּנִיםthey directדַּעְתָּםtheir mindאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleשֶׁתִּשְׁרֶהthat will restשְׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceעֲלֵיהֶןupon themוְאֶפְשָׁרand it is possibleשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּשְׁרֶה:it will rest
This halacha explains that those who prepare themselves for prophecy are called disciples of the prophets, though the resting of the Shechinah upon them is never guaranteed.
הל׳ ו
הַהֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין נְבוּאַת משֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ לִשְׁאָר הַנְּבִיאִיםHalacha 6 · The Differences Between the Prophecy of Moshe Our Teacher and Other Prophets
כָּלAllהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersשֶׁאָמַרְנוּthat we saidהֵםtheyדֶּרֶךְare the way ofנְבוּאָהprophecyלְכָלfor allהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe firstוְהָאַחֲרוֹנִיםand the lastחוּץexceptמִמּשֶׁהfrom Mosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherרַבָּןthe masterשֶׁלofכָּלallהַנְּבִיאִים.the prophetsוּמַהAnd whatהֶפְרֵשׁdifferenceיֵשׁis thereבֵּיןbetweenנְבוּאַתthe prophecy ofמשֶׁהMosheלִשְׁאָרto the rest ofכָּלallהַנְּבִיאִים.the prophetsשֶׁכָּלFor allהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsבַּחֲלוֹםin a dreamאוֹorבְּמַרְאֶהin a visionוּמשֶׁהand Mosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherמִתְנַבֵּאprophesiesוְהוּאand heעֵרis awakeוְעוֹמֵדand standingשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarז7פט89"וּבְבֹאAnd when cameמשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingלְדַבֵּרto speakאִתּוֹwith Himוַיִּשְׁמַעand he heardאֶת—הַקּוֹלthe Voiceמִדַּבֵּרspeakingאֵלָיו".to himכָּלAllהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofמַלְאָךְ.an angelלְפִיכָךְthereforeרוֹאִיםthey seeמַהwhatשֶּׁהֵםthat theyרוֹאִיםseeבְּמָשָׁלin a metaphorוְחִידָה.and a riddleמשֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherלֹאnotעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofמַלְאָךְan angelשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarיב12ח8"פֶּהMouthאֶלtoפֶּהmouthאֲדַבֶּרI speakבּוֹ".with himוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidשמותShemosלג33יא11"וְדִבֶּרAnd spokeה'HashemאֶלtoמשֶׁהMosheפָּנִיםfaceאֶלtoפָּנִים".faceוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidבמדברBamidbarיב12ח8"וּתְמֻנַתand the image ofה'Hashemיַבִּיט"he gazesכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notשָׁםthereמָשָׁלa metaphorאֶלָּאratherרוֹאֶהhe seesהַדָּבָרthe matterעַלuponבֻּרְיוֹits clarityבְּלֹאwithoutחִידָהa riddleוּבְלֹאand withoutמָשָׁל.a metaphorהוּאitשֶׁהַתּוֹרָהis that the Torahמְעִידָהtestifiesעָלָיוconcerning himבמדברBamidbarיב12ח8"בְּמַרְאֶהin a visionוְלֹאand notבְּחִידוֹת"in riddlesשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notמִתְנַבֵּאprophesyבְּחִידָהin a riddleאֶלָּאratherבְּמַרְאֶהin a visionשֶׁרוֹאֶהthat he seesהַדָּבָרthe matterעַלuponבֻּרְיוֹ.its clarityכָּלAllהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsיְרֵאִיםare afraidוְנִבְהָלִיםand terrifiedוּמִתְמוֹגְגִיןand meltוּמשֶׁהand Mosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherאֵינוֹis notכֵןsoהוּא,itשֶׁהַכָּתוּבis that the verseאוֹמֵרsaysשמותShemosלג33יא11"כַּאֲשֶׁרAsיְדַבֵּרspeaksאִישׁa manאֶלtoרֵעֵהוּ",his friendכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאֵיןthat notאָדָםa manנִבְהָלis terrifiedלִשְׁמֹעַto hearדִּבְרֵיthe words ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowכָּךְsoהָיָהwasכֹּחַstrengthבְּדַעְתּוֹin the mindשֶׁלofמשֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherלְהָבִיןto understandדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyוְהוּאand heעוֹמֵדstandsעַלuponעָמְדוֹhis standingשָׁלֵם.wholeכָּלAllהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsאֵיןdo notמִתְנַבְּאִיםprophesyבְּכָלat everyעֵתtimeשֶׁיִּרְצוּ.that they desireמשֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherאֵינוֹis notכֵןsoאֶלָּאratherכָּלallזְמַןtimeשֶׁיַּחְפֹּץthat he desiresרוּחַthe HolyהַקֹּדֶשׁSpiritלוֹבַשְׁתּוֹenvelops himוּנְבוּאָהand prophecyשׁוֹרָהrestsעָלָיוupon himוְאֵינוֹand he does notצָרִיךְneedלְכַוֵּןto directדַּעְתּוֹhis mindוּלְהִזְדַּמֵּןand to prepareלָהּfor itשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהוּאheמְכֻוָּןis directedוּמְזֻמָּןand preparedוְעוֹמֵדand standingכְּמַלְאֲכֵיlike the angels ofהַשָּׁרֵת.serviceלְפִיכָךְthereforeמִתְנַבֵּאhe prophesiesבְּכָלat everyעֵתtimeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarט9ח8"עִמְדוּStandוְאֶשְׁמְעָהand let me hearמַהwhatיְצַוֶּהwill commandה'Hashemלָכֶם".for youוּבָזֶהAnd in thisהִבְטִיחוֹpromised himהָאֵלthe Almightyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidגמראGemaraיבמותYevamosסב62אa"לֵךְGoאֱמֹרsayלָהֶםto themשׁוּבוּReturnלָכֶםfor yourselvesלְאָהֳלֵיכֶםto your tentsוְאַתָּהand youפֹּהhereעֲמֹדstandעִמָּדִי".with MeהָאBeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁכָּלthat allהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsכְּשֶׁהַנְּבוּאָהwhen the prophecyמִסְתַּלֶּקֶתdepartsמֵהֶםfrom themחוֹזְרִיםthey returnלְאָהֳלָםto their tentשֶׁהוּאwhich isצָרְכֵיthe needs ofהַגּוּףthe bodyכֻּלָּםall of themכִּשְׁאָרlike the rest ofהָעָם.the peopleלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵיןthey do notפּוֹרְשִׁיןseparateמִנְּשׁוֹתֵיהֶם.from their wivesוּמשֶׁהand Mosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherלֹאdid notחָזַרreturnלְאָהֳלוֹto his tentהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstלְפִיכָךְthereforeפֵּרַשׁhe separatedמִןfromהָאִשָּׁהthe womanלְעוֹלָםforeverוּמִןand fromהַדּוֹמֶהthe similarלוֹto itוְנִקְשְׁרָהand was boundדַּעְתּוֹhis mindלְצוּרto the Rock ofהָעוֹלָמִיםthe worldsוְלֹאand did notנִסְתַּלֵּקdepartמֵעָלָיוfrom upon himהַהוֹדthe gloryלְעוֹלָםforeverוְקָרַןand shoneעוֹרthe skin ofפָּנָיוhis faceוְנִתְקַדֵּשׁand he became holyכְּמַלְאָכִים:like the angels
This halacha contrasts the unique, direct, and constant nature of Moshe Rabbeinu's prophecy with that of all other prophets.
הל׳ ז
מִצְוַת שְׁמִיעָה לְנָבִיא וְהַנְהָגַת הַנִּסְיוֹנוֹתHalacha 7 · The Mitzvah to Listen to a Prophet and the Criteria for Accepting Signs
הַנָּבִיאThe prophetאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleשֶׁתִּהְיֶהthat will beנְבוּאָתוֹhis prophecyלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfבִּלְבַדaloneלְהַרְחִיבto expandלִבּוֹhis heartוּלְהוֹסִיףand to increaseדַּעְתּוֹhis knowledgeעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּדַעhe knowsמַהwhatשֶּׁלֹּאnotהָיָהhe wasיוֹדֵעַknowingמֵאוֹתָןfrom thoseהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהַגְּדוֹלִים.the greatוְאֶפְשָׁרand it is possibleשֶׁיְּשֻׁלַּחthat he will be sentלְעַםto a nationמֵעַמֵּיof the nations ofהָאָרֶץthe earthאוֹorלְאַנְשֵׁיto the people ofעִירa cityאוֹorמַמְלָכָהa kingdomלְכוֹנֵןto prepareאוֹתָםthemוּלְהוֹדִיעָםand to inform themמַהwhatיַּעֲשׂוּthey should doאוֹorלְמָנְעָםto prevent themמִמַּעֲשִׂיםfrom deedsהָרָעִיםthe evilשֶׁבִּידֵיהֶם.that are in their handsוּכְשֶׁמְּשַׁלְּחִיםand when they sendאוֹתוֹhimנוֹתְנִיןthey giveלוֹto himאוֹתa signוּמוֹפֵתand a wonderכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיֵּדְעוּthat they will knowהָעָםthe peopleשֶׁהָאֵלthat Godשְׁלָחוֹsent himבֶּאֱמֶת.in truthוְלֹאand notכָּלeveryoneהָעוֹשֶׂהwho performsאוֹתa signוּמוֹפֵתand a wonderמַאֲמִינִיםdo we believeלוֹhimשֶׁהוּאthat he isנָבִיא.a prophetאֶלָּאratherאָדָםa personשֶׁהָיִינוּwhom we wereיוֹדְעִיםknowingבּוֹ·מִתְּחִלָּתוֹfrom his beginningשֶׁהוּאthat he isרָאוּיfitלִנְבוּאָהfor prophecyבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomוּבְמַעֲשָׂיוand in his deedsשֶׁנִּתְעַלָּהthat he was elevatedבָּהֶןin themעַלaboveכָּלallבְּנֵיthe people ofגִּילוֹhis generationוְהָיָהand he wasמְהַלֵּךְwalkingבְּדַרְכֵיin the paths ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyבִּקְדֻשָּׁתָהּin its holinessוּבִפְרִישׁוּתָהּand in its separationוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoבָּאhe cameוְעָשָׂהand performedאוֹתa signוּמוֹפֵתand a wonderוְאָמַרand saidשֶׁהָאֵלthat Godשְׁלָחוֹsent himמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלִשְׁמֹעַto listenמִמֶּנּוּto himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיח18טו15"אֵלָיוto himתִּשְׁמָעוּן".you shall listenוְאֶפְשָׁרand it is possibleשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהthat he will performאוֹתa signוּמוֹפֵתand a wonderוְאֵינוֹand he is notנָבִיא.a prophetוְזֶהand thisהָאוֹתthe signיֵשׁthere isלוֹto itדְּבָרִיםthingsבְּגוֹ.insideוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughכֵן·מִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלִשְׁמוֹעַto listenלוֹto himהוֹאִילsinceוְאָדָם·גָּדוֹלa manוְחָכָםgreatוְרָאוּיand wiseלִנְבוּאָהand fitהוּאfor prophecyמַעֲמִידִיםhe isאוֹתוֹwe establishעַלhimחֶזְקָתוֹ.uponשֶׁבְּכָךְhis presumptionנִצְטַוֵּינוּfor in thisכְּמוֹwe were commandedשֶׁנִּצְטַוֵּינוּjust asלַחְתֹּךְwe were commandedאֶתto decideהַדִּין—עַלthe judgmentפִּיuponשְׁנֵיthe mouth ofעֵדִיםtwoכְּשֵׁרִיםwitnessesוְאַףkosherעַלand evenפִּי·שֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthoughשֶׁהֵעִידוּthat it is possibleבְּשֶׁקֶרthat they testifiedהוֹאִילfalselyוּכְשֵׁרִיםsinceהֵםand kosherאֶצְלֵנוּthey areמַעֲמִידִיןto usאוֹתָןwe establishעַלthemכַּשְׁרוּתָן.uponוּבַדְּבָרִיםtheir kosher statusהָאֵלּוּand regarding mattersוְכַיּוֹצֵאtheseבָּהֶןand the likeנֶאֱמַרof themדבריםit is saidכטDevarimכח29"הַנִּסְתָּרֹת28לַה'the hidden thingsאֱלֹהֵינוּare for Hashemוְהַנִּגְלֹתour Godלָנוּand the revealed thingsוּלְבָנֵינוּ".are for usוְנֶאֱמַרand for our childrenשמואלand it is saidאShmuelטזIז16"כִּי7הָאָדָםforיִרְאֶהthe manלַעֵינַיִםseesוַה'to the eyesיִרְאֶהand Hashemלַלֵּבָב":sees
This halacha explains that a prophet may receive prophecy for personal growth or to guide others, and details the criteria of personal righteousness required before we accept their signs.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The Rambam begins by defining the prerequisites for nevuah, explaining that it only rests upon a wise, strong-willed sage who has conquered his physical desires and constantly directs his mind to the spiritual realms. When the divine spirit rests upon him, he is transformed into a different person. The Rambam explains that all prophets, except Moshe Rabbeinu, receive their visions in dreams or trances, accompanied by physical trembling, and their messages are delivered through angels in the form of metaphors that must be interpreted. To receive prophecy, they must prepare themselves with joy and seclusion, often using musical instruments. Finally, the Rambam highlights the unique status of Moshe Rabbeinu, who prophesied while fully awake, without the medium of an angel, without metaphors, and without any physical dread, speaking to Hashem as a man speaks to his friend.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear talmid, when we learn about the lofty levels of the nevi'im, it is easy to look at their greatness and feel completely disconnected. We read about how they would separate themselves from the vanities of the world, direct their minds upward, and prepare themselves to receive the word of Hashem. But the Rambam reveals a fundamental secret of our avodah that applies to every single one of us, right here and now: "Prophecy cannot rest upon a person when he is sad or languid, but only when he is happy."
Think about this deeply. Even a person who was a great sage, who had mastered his physical desires and possessed a vast intellect, could not receive the Shechinah if he was in a state of sadness or spiritual laziness. To draw close to Hashem, to feel His presence in our lives, we must cultivate a heart that is "sameach v'tov lev", happy and good-hearted. Joy is not a luxury or a side-benefit of a Torah life; it is the very vessel through which we connect to Hashem.
We may not be prophets, but we all seek to feel Hashem's presence in our daily lives, in our tefillah, our learning, and our homes. If we allow ourselves to be dragged down by the heaviness of the world, by worry, or by spiritual sluggishness, we close the doors of our hearts. But when we serve Hashem with joy, we break through those barriers and make ourselves a dwelling place for His holiness.
Today, before you begin to daven, learn, or do a mitzvah, take thirty seconds to pause, put a smile on your face, and consciously think of one blessing Hashem has given you, entering into the avodah with genuine joy.