Q&A: Prophecy and "the Torah speaks in human language"
Prophecy and "the Torah speaks in human language"
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi,
How do you relate to Leibowitz’s view that the prophecies in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, etc., about the future redemption are not meant to announce a future event, but rather a task imposed on human beings to bring about? In other words, do you think the rule "the Torah speaks in human language" applies to the entire Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) beyond the first five books (the Torah)?
All the best,
Answer
I’m not familiar with the exact quotation, but what you brought here is nonsense. The prophets do not assign tasks; they prophesy, whether one likes it or not, whether one believes them or not.
The rule that the Torah speaks in human language is apparently itself subject to dispute (Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Ishmael). But in general, this is certainly a possible way to approach every book of the Hebrew Bible. Still, here I do not see why the proposal of Third Isaiah is connected to the rule that the Torah speaks in human language. As I understand it, it is not related. Almost everyone agrees that throughout the entire Hebrew Bible there are metaphors, parables, and other complex modes of expression.
Discussion on Answer
Rabbi Michi
May I ask innocently why you so often mention disputes among the tannaim/amoraim/etc. if there is already a ruling on the matter?
If I may add a few words.
Personally, I believe, following Maimonides, that the Torah speaks in human language—in order for the listeners to understand!
This is necessary, because without that it would be impossible to speak or convey a message.
And what would be the point of conveying something to us that we would not understand? Especially since we acknowledge and accept that the Torah was given together with rules for analyzing every problem and every point of Jewish law that will arise in the future.
As for prophecies—the strange ones in the Torah—sometimes they were said in paraphrase, but it is clear to everyone that there is a message behind them, and usually the message is explained. So the suggestion is correct here too, regarding the context that can stem from the principle that the Torah speaks in human language, because even when one speaks in parables, the message is supposed to get across. Somehow. Illustrations are conveyed better that way.
Rabbi, with all due respect, you sidestepped the issue in your words, because from the outset, what did you think the task was that was imposed on a person (any person) by the prophecies of the end of days? Tell us, and let’s examine it!