[Avodah] Rambam Prophesy

[Micha Berger]

On Wed, May 26, 2021 at 11:42:59PM -0400, Alexander Seinfeld via Avodah wrote:
>> The Rambam discusses prophecy  "Prophecy is bestowed only upon a very wise
>> sage of a strong character"  When one looks as Tanach, one doesn't get the
>> sense that this was always clearly the case.  Anyone have any sources that
>> deal with this?

> Are you referring to temporary prophets such as Lavan?
> My own sense from Tanach is that Rambam's claim is not inconsistent with
> Tanach, with a few "horaah shaah" exceptions.

There is no "horaas shaah" exceptions, because according to the Rambam,
the topic of who is a navi isn't one of hora'ah, but of metaphysical
causality. Anyone who sufficiently aligns their intellect (including
their Dei'os) with Truth will experience the outflow from the Active
Intellect.

The Divine Volition aspect is that Hashem at times chose to withhold
nevu'ah that the person was capable of experiencing. But, He does not
give nevu'ah to someoen who didn't make himself able first.

See Moreh 2:32 (Friedlander, because it's free; but not my favorite
translation):
    The third view is that which is taught in Scripture, and which
    forms one of the principles of our religion. It coincides with
    the opinion of the philosophers in all points except one. For we
    believe that, even if one has the capacity for prophecy, and has
    duly prepared himself, it may yet happen that he does not actually
    prophesy. It is in that case the will of God [that withholds from
    him the use of the faculty]. According to my opinion, this fact is as
    exceptional as any other miracle, and acts in the same way. For the
    laws of Nature demand that every one should be a prophet, who has a
    proper physical constitution, and has been duly prepared as regards
    education and training. If such a person is not a prophet, he is in
    the same position as a person who, like Jeroboam (1 Kings xiii.),
    is deprived of the use of his hand, or of his eyes, as was the case
    with the army of Syria, in the history of Elisha (2 Kings 6:18).

And Yesodei haTorah 7:5, where he defines "benei hanevi'im" as those
who seek nevu'ah, and even though they train their minds, the Shechinah
could rest upon them or not. Consisten with the description in the MN,
no?

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 "The most prevalent illness of our generation is
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   excessive anxiety....  Emunah decreases anxiety:
Author: Widen Your Tent      'The Almighty is my source of salvation;  I will
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF    trust and not be afraid.'" (Isa 12) -Shalhevesya