Not to test the prophet unduly

:פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן - לֹ֣א תְנַסּ֔וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִסִּיתֶ֖ם בַּמַּסָּֽה

Deuteronomy 6:16 - You shall not try the L-rd, your G-d, as you tried Him in Massah.

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment

מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment

Prophecy – נְבוּאָה

It is forbidden to test a true prophet by demanding proofs beyond what Torah prescribes.

This mitzvah forbids testing Hashem or His prophets with excessive conditions. Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Negative Commandment 64; Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:5) explains that once a prophet has been verified by the Torah’s criteria, it is prohibited to subject him to unnecessary trials.

Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 429) explains that this mitzvah preserves faith and prevents cynicism — demanding endless proofs erodes reverence for prophecy. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) warns that one who continues testing a prophet after he has been verified is guilty of rebellion against Hashem. Rashi (Deut. 6:16) interprets the verse in context of Massah, when Israel tested Hashem by demanding water, showing that testing prophets mirrors doubting Divine providence. Ramban emphasizes that proper reverence requires trust in Hashem’s appointed messengers without unnecessary challenge.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 10:5): Prohibits testing prophets beyond Torah’s requirements.
Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 429): Notes that testing undermines faith and reverence.
Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b): Calls undue testing of prophets rebellion against Hashem.
Rashi (Deut. 6:16): Links to Israel’s sin at Massah, when they demanded proof of Divine presence.
Ramban (Deut. 6:16): Teaches reverence demands trust, not endless questioning.

Contrast with Listening to Prophets (Mitzvah 9):

Mitzvah 9 commands obedience to prophets; Mitzvah 10 forbids excessive testing.
Rambam explains that obedience requires trust, while testing reveals lack of faith.
Talmud (Sanhedrin 89a–b) distinguishes between verifying prophecy once (permitted) versus constant doubt (forbidden).

Parallel to Faith in Hashem (Mitzvah 1):

Just as Mitzvah 1 commands knowledge of Hashem, this mitzvah protects faith in His agents.
Ramban notes that doubting prophets equates to doubting Hashem’s providence, making the mitzvah a safeguard for emunah.

Parallel to Mitzvah 43 (Not to listen to a false prophet):

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:1–5) distinguishes between confirming a prophet once versus doubting him endlessly. Testing too much undermines true prophecy, but failure to reject false prophecy endangers the nation.
Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a, 89a) balances these: Israel must accept verified prophets without cynicism yet remain vigilant against impostors.
Ramban (Deut. 13:4–6) notes the Torah gave both mitzvot together to teach equilibrium — unquestioning acceptance is dangerous, but so is constant suspicion.
Sefer HaChinuch (425, 516) explains that trusting true prophets refines humility, while rejecting false ones safeguards emunah.

(Source: Chabad.org)

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Trust Without Over-Testing

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:5) rules that once a prophet is verified through authentic signs and alignment with Torah, Israel must not test him repeatedly. In a modern sense, this teaches cultivating trust in Torah-true leaders rather than demanding endless proofs or doubting every directive.

Faith in Divine Mission

Rashi (Deut. 6:16) links this mitzvah to Israel’s sin at Massah, where they demanded water to test Hashem. Applied today, this warns against a culture of cynicism — insisting that Hashem or His representatives constantly “prove” themselves before we accept truth.

Guarding Against Spiritual Skepticism

Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) explains that once a prophet establishes his role, doubting him is equivalent to doubting Hashem. Contemporary application: resisting the corrosive effect of hyper-skepticism, which undermines genuine Torah authority and spiritual trust.

Respect for Torah Transmission

Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 425) teaches the root of this command is to strengthen humility before Hashem’s chosen messengers. Today, it emphasizes confidence in the transmission of Torah through sages, poskim, and rabbinic leadership, without constant demands for proof.

Balancing Trust with Caution

Ramban (Deut. 6:16) clarifies that this mitzvah does not mean blind acceptance of every claim — false prophets must be exposed. In modern terms, the mitzvah balances discernment with trust: not testing endlessly, but also not surrendering to manipulation.

Learn more about this Mitzvah on chabad.org

This Mitzvah is in

וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Vaetchanan

Complete Mitzvah List

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Prophecy – נְבוּאָה

Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 10:5) teaches that once a prophet has been tested by Torah’s standards, it is forbidden to test him further. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) states that repeated testing amounts to rebellion against Hashem Himself, since a prophet’s authority flows directly from Him. Sefer HaChinuch (429) adds that prophecy guides Israel in times of doubt; undermining it through excess testing weakens the very purpose of Divine communication.

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

Rashi (Deut. 6:16) ties this mitzvah to the episode at Massah, where Israel tested Hashem by demanding water. Just as testing Hashem eroded emunah, so too testing prophets reflects a lack of trust. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim III:24) emphasizes that faith requires reasonable verification but not endless conditions, for doubt can become corrosive if unchecked. Sefer HaChinuch (429) frames this mitzvah as cultivating a heart of trust, not cynicism.

Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

Ramban (Deut. 6:16) explains that prophecy is part of the covenantal structure established at Sinai; rejecting prophets undermines the very foundations of belief. The Sifrei interprets “do not test” as a command to accept Hashem’s ways with wholeness of heart. By protecting the integrity of prophecy, this mitzvah preserves the core belief that Hashem guides Israel continuously.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) calls excessive testing of prophets “rebellion,” underscoring that reverence (yirat Shamayim) demands humility before Hashem’s messengers. Rambam writes that one who treats prophecy lightly is guilty of disrespecting Heaven itself. Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tavo 3) teaches that reverence means trusting Hashem’s emissaries without mockery or excessive demands.

Torah – תּוֹרָה

Midrash Sifrei (Deut. 6:16) explains this mitzvah directly from Torah’s revelation: just as Hashem was tested at Massah, so too testing prophets is forbidden. Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 9:1) codifies that Torah permits initial verification, but never ongoing doubt. The mitzvah therefore protects Torah authority from being undermined by skepticism.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Neg. 64) stresses that prophecy is strictly Bein Adam L’Makom — it is Hashem’s direct word. Talmud (Sanhedrin 99a) rules that one who disobeys a prophet’s command is considered rebellious toward Hashem Himself. This mitzvah ensures that the covenantal relationship between Israel and Hashem remains intact through trusting His appointed messengers.

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Prophecy - נְבוּאָה

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

View Badge →

Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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.

View Badge →

Core Beliefs - יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

Used for mitzvot that reflect Judaism’s foundational principles—belief in G-d, reward and punishment, prophecy, Torah from Heaven, and more. These commandments shape the lens through which all others are understood.

View Badge →

Reverence - יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

Signifies awe and reverence toward Hashem—living with awareness of His greatness and presence.

View Badge →

Torah – תּוֹרָה

View Badge →

Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

Mitzvot that define and deepen the relationship between a person and their Creator. These include commandments involving belief, prayer, Shabbat, festivals, sacrifices, and personal holiness — acts rooted in divine connection rather than human interaction.

View Badge →

Mitzvah Minute

Learn more.

Dive into mitzvot, prayer, and Torah study—each section curated to help you learn, reflect, and live with intention. New insights are added regularly, creating an evolving space for spiritual growth.

Live a commandment-driven life

Mitzvah

Explore the 613 mitzvot and uncover the meaning behind each one. Discover practical ways to integrate them into your daily life with insights, sources, and guided reflection.

Learn more

A permanent or temporary [non-Jewish] hired worker must not eat from it

Learn this Mitzvah

Mitzvah Highlight

Connection through Davening

Tefillah

Learn the structure, depth, and spiritual intent behind Jewish prayer. Dive into morning blessings, Shema, Amidah, and more—with tools to enrich your daily connection.

Learn more

Tefillah

Tefillah sub-header

Learn this Tefillah

Tefillah Focus

Study the weekly Torah portion

Parsha

Each week’s parsha offers timeless wisdom and modern relevance. Explore summaries, key themes, and mitzvah connections to deepen your understanding of the Torah cycle.

Learn more

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V'Zot HaBerachah

Haftarah: Joshua, 1:1–18

Learn this Parsha

Not to test the prophet unduly

This Mitzvah's Summary

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Prophecy – נְבוּאָה

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

Torah – תּוֹרָה

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Prophecy - נְבוּאָה

Faith - אֱמוּנָה

Core Beliefs - יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

Reverence - יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

Torah – תּוֹרָה

Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

To emulate His ways

To listen to the prophet speaking in His Name

Learn more.

Mitzvah

Mitzvah #

413

Mitzvah Highlight

Tefillah

Tefillah

Tefillah Focus

Parsha

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V'Zot HaBerachah

Weekly Parsha