Sunday, 16 August 2015

nevua prophecy - Does Judaism recognize contemporary prophets?


Some new religions like Bahai believe in relatively recent prophets.


Some Christian sects, like Mormonism, often seen as heretics by the rest, believe in continuing revelations. So prophets are still coming according to them.


Most Christians believe that prophets ended some time after Jesus. The Catholic Church believes that public revelations already ended but private prophecy is still ongoing.


Some Christians believe that they are prophets (for example, Benny Hinn).


Okay, what about Judaism?


Are there still prophets in Judaism? Can't find this anywhere. I've heard some say that Malachi was the last prophet or something.



Answer



The last of the true prophets (nevi'im) were indeed Chaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Talmud (Bava Batra 12a) cites:




R. Abdimi from Haifa said: Since the day when the Temple was destroyed, prophecy has been taken from the prophets and given to the wise.



i.e. the wise can predict the future using their wisdom, but not through nevua - prophecy.


(The Talmud [Bava Batra 12b] also cites Rabbi Yochanan that since the destruction of the Temple, prophecy was given over to children and the mad.)


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