Pisqa’ 176194H:202; JN2:54. 1. “According to all you asked from HASHEM my God at Horeb” (Dt.18:16)— with this request they became worthy of having prophets arise for them, [as it is said:] “I wish no longer to hear the voice of HASHEM my God!” (Dt.18:16)— [but, rather, His message through prophecy]!
2. “Then HASHEM said to me: their words are indeed well-chosen” (Dt.18:17)— sharing, [as they do,] My opinion! “I will raise up for them a prophet” (Dt.18:18)— indeed, you learn from this that, as a reward for their awe, they became worthy of having prophets arise for them.195//Mechilta Ishmael, bakhodesh, 9. Cf. Mechilta Shimon-Nelson, bakhodesh, p.253.
“And I shall place my words in his mouth” (Dt.18:18)— My words will I place in his mouth, but I will not speak to him face to face [as I do with Moses].196This material, lacking in most sources for Sifre, has a loose parallel at SZ, beha`alotecha, 11:8.
3. Another word: “And I shall place my words in his mouth” (Dt.18:18)— from now on, be aware that the Spirit of the Holy One is placed in the mouths of the prophets. “And he will declare to them” (Dt.18:18)— with no need to appoint a translator.197Heb: turgeman.
“Whatever I shall command him” (Dt.18:18)— he will explain primary points first, And secondary points later.198//M. Av.5:7. The prophet will anticipate the method of the rabbinic disciple.
(דברים יח טז) כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר שָׁאַלְתָּ מֵעִם ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּחֹרֵב בָּזוֹ זָכוּ שֶׁיַּעַמְדוּ לָהֶם נְבִיאִים: לֹא אוֹסִיף לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶת קוֹל ה׳ אֱלֹהַי.
Pisqa’ 176194H:202; JN2:54.
1. “According to all you asked from HASHEM my God at Horeb” (Dt.18:16)—
with this request
they became worthy of having prophets arise for them,
[as it is said:]
“I wish no longer to hear the voice of HASHEM my God!” (Dt.18:16)—
[but, rather, His message through prophecy]!
(דברים יח יז) וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֵלָי הֵיטִיבוּ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּרוּ – כִּוְּנוּ לְדַעְתִּי, נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם. הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁבִּשְׂכַר יִרְאָה שֶׁיָּרְאוּ – זָכוּ שֶׁיַּעַמְדוּ לָהֶם נְבִיאִים.
2. “Then HASHEM said to me: their words are indeed well-chosen” (Dt.18:17)—
sharing, [as they do,] My opinion!
“I will raise up for them a prophet” (Dt.18:18)—
indeed, you learn from this that,
as a reward for their awe,
they became worthy of having prophets arise for them.195//Mechilta Ishmael, bakhodesh, 9. Cf. Mechilta Shimon-Nelson, bakhodesh, p.253.
(דברים יח יח) וְנָתַתִּי דְבָרַי בְּפִיו – דְּבָרַי בְּפִיו אֲנִי נוֹתֵן, אֲבָל אֵינִי מְדַבֵּר עִמּוֹ פָּנִים בְּפָנִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: וְנָתַתִּי דְבָרַי בְּפִיו, מִכָּן וָאֵילָךְ הֱוֵי יוֹדֵעַ הֵיאַךְ רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ נִתֶּנֶת בְּפִי הַנְּבִיאִים.
“And I shall place my words in his mouth” (Dt.18:18)—
My words will I place in his mouth,
but I will not speak to him face to face
[as I do with Moses].196This material, lacking in most sources for Sifre, has a loose parallel at SZ, beha`alotecha, 11:8.
וְדִבֶּר אֲלֵיהֶם – שֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹשִׁיב אֶת הַתּוּרְגְּמָן.
3. Another word:
“And I shall place my words in his mouth” (Dt.18:18)—
from now on, be aware that
the Spirit of the Holy One is placed in the mouths of the prophets.
“And he will declare to them” (Dt.18:18)—
with no need to appoint a translator.197Heb: turgeman.
אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּנּוּ – אוֹמֵר עַל רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וְעַל אַחֲרוֹן אַחֲרוֹן.
“Whatever I shall command him” (Dt.18:18)—
he will explain primary points first,
And secondary points later.198//M. Av.5:7. The prophet will anticipate the method of the rabbinic disciple.