Pisqa’ 83153H:136-137; JN1:231-232. 1. “If there arises among you a prophet . . . saying: Let us follow after other gods . . . do not listen to the words of that prophet” (Dt.13:2-4). Just as Moses introduced his prophecies with: “Thus said HASHEM” (Ex.5:1), so, too, other [would-be] prophets will proclaim: “Thus said HASHEM”154Cf. Sifre Nu, 153. Just as Moses delivered part [of the prophecy] and fulfilled part of it, so, too, other [would-be] prophets will deliver part and fulfill part. Just as Moses spoke in general terms and provided their particulars, so, too, other [would-be] prophets will speak in general terms and provide their particulars. Or [perhaps we can reason as follows]: just as Moses was an Elder, and eighty years old, and Amram’s son, is it possible to say that other [would-be] prophets [must meet these criteria] as well? [Of course not!] For the Teaching states: “A prophet” (Dt.13:2)— [who] in any way [imitates Moses’ prophetic criteria is suspect].
2. “Or a dreamer of dreams” (Dt.13:2). Inferring from what is stated of Moses: “Mouth to mouth do I speak with him” (Nu.12:8)— [the Holy One spoke to Moses without the mediation of dreams]. Is it possible to say that other [would-be] prophets will claim this as well? The Teaching states: “Or a dreamer of dreams” (Dt.13:2)155// Sifre Nu., 103.— [thus, we ignore a prophet claiming dream-oracles as his authority].
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בְּקִרְבְּךָ – לְרַבּוֹת אֶת הָאִשָּׁה.
“Among you” (Dt,13:2)— you includes a woman [claiming prophetic authority].
“Or a prodigious deed” (Dt.13:2)—on earth. And so He says: “If there is dew on the fleece alone, and all the earth around it is dry” (Jud.6:37)— what does He say next ? “Then God did it” (Jud.6:40)!
(דברים יג ב) כִּי יָקוּם בְּקִרְבְּךָ נָבִיא, מָה מֹשֶׁה בְּ״כֹה אָמַר״ – אַף נְבִיאִים בְּ״כֹה אָמַר״, מָה מֹשֶׁה אָמַר מִקְצָת וְקִיֵּם מִקְצָת – אַף נְבִיאִים אָמְרוּ מִקְצָת וְקִיְּמוּ מִקְצָת, מָה מֹשֶׁה אָמַר כְּלָל וּפְרָט – אַף נְבִיאִים אָמְרוּ כְּלָל וּפְרָט, אוֹ מָה מֹשֶׁה זָקֵן וּבֶן שְׁמוֹנִים וּבֶן עַמְרָם, יָכוֹל אַף הַנְּבִיאִים כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: נָבִיא, מִכָּל מָקוֹם.
Pisqa’ 83153H:136-137; JN1:231-232.
1. “If there arises among you a prophet . . . saying:
Let us follow after other gods . . . do not listen to the words of that prophet” (Dt.13:2-4).
Just as Moses
introduced his prophecies with:
“Thus said HASHEM” (Ex.5:1),
so, too, other [would-be] prophets will proclaim:
“Thus said HASHEM”154Cf. Sifre Nu, 153.
Just as Moses
delivered part [of the prophecy] and fulfilled part of it,
so, too, other [would-be] prophets will
deliver part and fulfill part.
Just as Moses
spoke in general terms
and provided their particulars,
so, too, other [would-be] prophets will speak in general terms
and provide their particulars.
Or [perhaps we can reason as follows]:
just as Moses was an Elder,
and eighty years old,
and Amram’s son,
is it possible to say that
other [would-be] prophets [must meet these criteria] as well?
[Of course not!]
For the Teaching states:
“A prophet” (Dt.13:2)—
[who] in any way
[imitates Moses’ prophetic criteria is suspect].
אוֹ חֹלֵם חֲלוֹם, מִכְּלָל שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לְמֹשֶׁה (במדבר יב ח) ״פֶּה אֶל פֶּה אֲדַבֶּר בּוֹ״, יָכוֹל אַף הַנְּבִיאִים כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: אוֹ חֹלֵם חֲלוֹם.
2. “Or a dreamer of dreams” (Dt.13:2).
Inferring from what is stated of Moses:
“Mouth to mouth do I speak with him” (Nu.12:8)—
[the Holy One spoke to Moses without the mediation of dreams].
Is it possible to say that
other [would-be] prophets will claim this as well?
The Teaching states:
“Or a dreamer of dreams” (Dt.13:2)155// Sifre Nu., 103.—
[thus, we ignore a prophet
claiming dream-oracles as his authority].
בְּקִרְבְּךָ – לְרַבּוֹת אֶת הָאִשָּׁה.
“Among you” (Dt,13:2)—
you includes a woman [claiming prophetic authority].
וְנָתַן אֵלֶיךָ אוֹת – בַּשָּׁמַיִם; וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (בראשית א יד): ״וְהָיוּ לְאֹתוֹת״.
“And he shows you a sign” (‘ot; Dt.13:2)—
in the Heavens.
And so He says
[of the heavenly lights]:
“And they shall serve as signs” (‘otot; Gn.1:14).
מוֹפֵת – בָּאָרֶץ, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שופטים ו לז): ״אִם טַל יִהְיֶה עַל הַגִּזָּה לְבַדָּהּ וְעַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ חֹרֶב״ וְגוֹ׳. מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? (שופטים ו מ) ״וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים כֵּן״.
“Or a prodigious deed” (Dt.13:2)—on earth.
And so He says:
“If there is dew on the fleece alone,
and all the earth around it is dry” (Jud.6:37)—
what does He say next ?
“Then God did it” (Jud.6:40)!