Pisqa’ 1781
1
“But the prophet so defiant as to speak a word in My Name
which I did not order him to speak . . .shall die” (Dt.18:20).
Where the mode of execution is unspecified by the Torah,
we assume strangulation.2
2
“Now, if you should say in your heart: how shall we know . . . “ (Dt.18:21)?
In the future, you will say:
How shall we know the truth of the matter?
For Jeremiah said:
“Look! All the utensils of the House of HASHEM
will be deported to Babylonia!” (cf. Jer.27:22).
But Hananiah said:
“Look! All the utensils of the House of HASHEM
will be returned from Babylonia!” (Jer.27:16)—.
and I don’t know whom to believe!
3
The Teaching states:
“When the prophet speaks . . . , and the event never transpires . . . ,
this is the thing that HASHEM has not spoken” (Dt.18:22).
Now, of which prophetic utterance
did the All-Present really speak?
The one which [the prophet] fore-told
and it actually transpired.
[But as for the prophet
whose prediction did not transpire:]
“That prophet has spoken in defiance” (Dt.18:22)—
he is therefore held liable to strangulation
for intentional transgression,
but he bears no liability
for inadvertent transgression.
“Have no fear of him” (Dt.18:22)—
don’t hesitate to testify in court
for the prosecution.