43

Not to listen to a false prophet

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Prophecy – נְבוּאָה

Do not heed the words of a false prophet.

This mitzvah forbids accepting or following the message of a false prophet, even if he performs signs or wonders. Hashem allows such individuals as a test of Israel’s loyalty, to see if we remain faithful to Him alone. Listening to or validating a false prophet undermines Torah and threatens the foundation of true prophecy.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 5:5): Even if miracles seem to support the prophet, his words are rejected if they contradict Torah.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 518): The root is to strengthen our faith and remind us that true prophecy never contradicts Hashem’s eternal law.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a, 93a): Emphasizes that a prophet who encourages idolatry is immediately disqualified, regardless of any apparent signs.
(Source: Chabad.org)
לֹ֣א תִשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל־דִּבְרֵי֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֔וּא א֛וֹ אֶל־חוֹלֵ֥ם הַחֲל֖וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י מְנַסֶּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם אֹֽהֲבִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
Deuteronomy 13:4 - "you shall not heed the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of a dream; for the L-rd, your G-d, is testing you, to know whether you really love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul."

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Prophecy - נְבוּאָה

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Associated with belief in and obedience to G‑d’s prophets, as well as reverence for their role in transmitting Divine truth.

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Speech - דָּבָר

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Pertains to the power of speech—both positive and negative—including lashon hara, vows, and blessings.

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Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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Represents Emunah—the deep, inner trust in Hashem’s presence, oneness, and constant involvement in our lives. This badge symbolizes a heartfelt connection to G-d, rooted in belief even when we cannot see. It is the emotional and spiritual core of many mitzvot.

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