PROPHECY - Prophecy and Law « Ohr Somayach

PROPHECY - Prophecy and Law

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PROPHECY

Prophecy and Law

 
The Question:If a prophet ventures an opinion in Jewish law based on prophecy is his opinion accepted?
Choices:
  1. Yes, it is.
  2. No, it is not.
Your Answer:Yes, it is.

This is incorrect. The purpose of prophecy is only to rebuke, warn and otherwise improve the behaviour of the people to whom the prophet was sent. He has no greater authority than any other sage in determining matters of Jewish law.
Questions on Israel | The Exodus | Prophecy | Philosophy | Ethics | Kashrut | Shabbat
 
The Question:If a prophet ventures an opinion in Jewish law based on prophecy is his opinion accepted?
Choices:
  1. Yes, it is.
  2. No, it is not.
Your Answer:No, it is not.

Correct. The Talmud relates that Rabbi Yehoshuah was confronted by another sage who supported his opposing view by "miracles" and by a voice from heaven. Rabbi Yehoshuah's reply to this was "It (the Torah) is not in heaven!", and that the Torah's methodology for determining Halachah is based on a majority vote of the sages.
Questions on Israel | The Exodus | Prophecy | Philosophy | Ethics | Kashrut | Shabbat



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