Ask The Rabbi

Ask The Rabbi

category:  Chassidut

Seeing the prophesy

The Rav Name: Rabbi Yitzchak Arad

Good day,
Can you please tell me what is the difference between a “Prophet” and a “Seer” David had Nathan as a Prophet, and Gad as a Seer.

Thank you in advance for your answer
Rick

Shalom and thank you for your question! You would like to understand the difference between a prophet and a seer. According to the commentary of the Metzudat Tzion, they are not really different, it is just that what we call a prophet today was once called a seer.


However others maintain that there is a certain difference. When we speak of a prophet, we are referring more to the prophetic message that he or she had to convey to the Jewish people, whereas when referring to a seer, the emphasis was more on the Divine inspiration that enabled him to know details about people’s lives.


The commentary of the Malbim, Rabbi Meir Leib (Leibush) Wisser, explains as follows:

“This indicates that there is a difference between the ‘prophet’ of later generations and the ‘seer’ of earlier generations. The word prophet (in Hebrew Navi) stems from the root Niv which means dialect or idiom literally,  but in a broader context – verbal expression. So a prophet is someone who gives verbal expression (to G-d’s message). For the L-rd spoke to him (the prophet) and sent him to inform them of their iniquity and the house of Israel of their sin, and he was sent only for the purpose of doing G-d’s work, for the congregation (of G-d), the entire nation.  He is not shown messages to individual people through Divine Inspiration.

The seer is called thus because he sees with Divine Inspiration all present and future matters,  as well as the matters of individuals with their details.  For this reason people used to flee from the prophets who carried messages of iniquity and rebuke for sin. They would seek out the seers for they would have the answers they were seeking, such as what happened or would happen to a stolen or lost possession,  or to a sick person or a wife and family. They would repay him with a gift because of his secluding himself to contemplate on their behalf. (An example of this can be seen in the book of Samuel when Saul seeks out Samuel to enquire after his father’s lost donkey, or donkeys.) This is what is described (in the Scriptures): so said the man when he went to seek after them, let us go forth to the seer, for they would go and seek out the seer. They would go in groups, for each one had something to ask. For the prophet today receives Divine Inspiration only to prophesy and rebuke is in  his mouth. Previously the seer would perceive all details with Divine Inspiration – which did not leave him.”


A well known example of a prophet who was given a mission to rebuke, is that of Jonah. Jonah was given a mission to rebuke the people of Nineveh who had fallen into corrupt ways. He tried to run away by leaving the holy land of Israel,  not because he thought that G-d would not know of his whereabouts, but he hoped that the spirit of prophecy would leave him in places of lesser holiness. He tried to run away because he felt that he would succeed in his mission and the people of Nineveh would repent, thereby arousing a Heavenly accusation against the sinners of Israel. His love and loyalty for his people manifested themselves in his attempt to push off such an accusation. As is known,  he was not able to run away from it and he did succeed in the end in causing the people of Nineveh to repent.


An example of a prophetess is Deborah, who was also the spiritual leader of her generation. She used to unassumingly make wicks for use in the Holy Temple. When she became known as a prophetess and a leader, she would sit under a palm tree out in the open to judge the people, for reasons of modesty, in order not to be secluded with a man. We can learn today from this lesson of ‘transparency ‘ in public office!


Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (also known as Maimonides) explained in detail the nature of prophecy. He indicated that denying the existence of prophesy is a sign of heresy.

He explained that a prophet must be someone on a very high spiritual level,  meaning that he is in complete control of his natural inclinations. He must also be very wise and even physically fit – for the demands of receiving prophecy. He must be detached from the vagaries of the times he lives in, and acquire spiritual knowledge in a constant process of learning and examining the workings of spirituality as outlined in the Torah. This process will lead at some point to the spirit of prophecy resting upon him and he will be transformed to a different person.

He goes on to explain that there are different levels of prophets, but there are characteristics they have in common. Moses however, is unique among the prophets. In general, prophets receive prophetic visions in a dream or a vision during their sleep.  At the time of receiving prophecy they tremble,  become weak, and are not in conscious control of their minds. The vision will be in metaphoric imagery, and the prophet will understand its meaning. Prophecy would come  through the medium of an angel. The prophet would be greatly overcome. Moses however,  would prophesy while standing awake, “…and G-d spoke to Moses face to face .” He did not need metaphors or allegory, he would perceive the matter fully.


A prophet would be given a sign or wonder to show the people that he is conveying G-d’s message, but that alone is not proof of his being a prophet. He must be known already to be a person of great spiritual stature as explained above. The Rambam concludes that if a person is known to be of such spiritual stature, fit for prophecy, and there are witnesses to that effect,  we should believe his message.


Interestingly, the Sages teach us that prophecy cannot rest upon a person who is not in a happy mood, and this is a great lesson for all of us! If we wish to make well guided decisions in our lives, we should endeavor to have positive and optimistic outlooks, based on trust in G-d that we will be led on the path that is good for us. (In addition to having spiritual mentors who are more knowledgeable than we are.)


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