Q&A: And That He Was the Father of the Prophets, of Those Before Him and Those After Him
And That He Was the Father of the Prophets, of Those Before Him and Those After Him
Question
Hello
What difference does it make that Moses our Rabbi was the greatest in prophecy?
What does that contribute for us regarding the principles of faith?
Thank you
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. What difference does it make whether the Holy One, blessed be He, is one or eight? What difference does it make whether He exercises providence or not? This is the truth, and therefore it is a principle of faith. Indeed, the very classification into essentials and non-essentials was already criticized in relation to Maimonides (for example, in Sefer Ha-Ikkarim). Belief in Moses’ prophecy strengthens trust in the Torah that was given through him.
Discussion on Answer
Because the matter does not depend on how great the prophet in question is. A prophet who prophesies in order to contradict something in the Torah—his prophecy is void and he is a false prophet, entirely regardless of his greatness.
Why not give the standard answer—that otherwise a greater prophet could come and contradict Moses’ prophecy, which is the Torah?