Good morning Bitachon of the day ❤️
Throughout the Middle Ages, Judaism faced various critiques, especially from secular and non-Jewish philosophers. One area frequently targeted was the concept of prophecy, which led many Jewish thinkers to clarify their understanding of nevuah. While opinions varied, there was a general agreement that to become a prophet, one must be a great tzaddik (righteous person), dedicating their entire life to reaching a level worthy of receiving divine prophecy. This involves mastering Torah knowledge, committing to its observance, and exercising complete control over one’s character and intellect. Even after achieving this exalted state, it’s ultimately in Hashem’s hands to decide whether or not to bestow this gift.
A person who has reached such spiritual and intellectual maturity perceives the world with a depth that far surpasses the understanding of an immature mind. Where one sees layers of wisdom in the Torah, another might see only meaningless scribbles. This profound perspective allows the prophet to convey divine messages, guidance, and teachings.
However, while formal prophecy in the sense is rare and chosen by Hashem, I believe that we all have the potential to be vehicles for Hashem’s will. By striving to follow His commandments, studying Torah, performing mitzvot, and showing kindness to others, we can contribute to sharing Hashem’s message in our daily lives. This is what rabbis and other influential figures strive to do, but as ordinary individuals, we too can make a significant impact by embodying and conveying divine values to those around us.
What stood out in my research is the idea that you can’t be a prophet until you reach true happiness, you must be happy and not sad. That’s one of the biggest mitzvot that Hashem wants from us because, with happiness, we can connect to Hashem on a deeper level. It shows our gratitude and joy in everyday life and recognizes that all our blessings come from Hashem.
The gematria of Nevi'im (Prophets) is 113, which is also the number of times the word Lev (heart) is mentioned in the Chumash. Additionally, the final words of each of the 19 blessings of the Shemoneh Esrei that begin with "Blessed are You Hashem" also consist of 113 words. This connection of 113 symbolizes that "We Are All One." Hashem doesn't allow anything to be a coincidence. To be a prophet, your heart has to be fully connected to Hashem, and without being one, our nation won’t survive.
May we all be inspired to be prophets in our own way, spreading peace, love, joy, and gratitude to those around us.Amen 🙏
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful Shabbat ❤️