44

Not to prophesize falsely in the name of G‑d

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

Do not speak false prophecy in G-d’s Name.

This mitzvah forbids a person from delivering a message in Hashem’s Name that He did not command. Falsely attributing words to Hashem misleads the people and corrupts the sanctity of prophecy. The Torah equates this with the gravest offenses, because it undermines the foundation of Torah and Israel’s covenant with Hashem.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:6): One who claims prophecy falsely is liable for death by strangulation, even if his words seem harmless.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 516): The root is to preserve the holiness and trust in true prophecy, the channel between Hashem and His people.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a): States that a false prophet is among those who have no share in the World to Come.
(Source: Chabad.org)
אַ֣ךְ הַנָּבִ֡יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָזִיד֩ לְדַבֵּ֨ר דָּבָ֜ר בִּשְׁמִ֗י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּיתִיו֙ לְדַבֵּ֔ר וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔ר בְּשֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וּמֵ֖ת הַנָּבִ֥יא הַהֽוּא׃ - פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים
Deuteronomy 18:20 - "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My Name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods—that prophet shall die."

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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