This mini-lesson covers the prophets in Judaism: what a navi actually is, where the Nevi'im sit in the Tanakh, the towering figure of Moses, prophets such as Elijah, Amos and Isaiah, and the prophetic call to justice and teshuvah (repentance). It supports the 0490 Judaism topics on covenant and on the Torah as revelation and authority.
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Religious Studies asks you to know beliefs and teachings accurately and to evaluate them fairly, so watch for the screens that set out a range of views. Press Start when you're ready.
The Hebrew word for a prophet is navi. A navi is someone called by G-d to speak G-d's word to the people.
The misconception that costs marks: a prophet is not mainly a fortune-teller. Prophets do sometimes speak about what is to come, but their central work is to confront the present — to call the people back to the covenant when they have drifted from it.
Prophets are often unwelcome. They speak to kings and priests as readily as to ordinary people, and they are frequently ignored.
The Hebrew Bible is the Tanakh — a word made from the initials of its three divisions:
The Torah holds the highest authority. The Nevi'im and Ketuvim are revered, but Jewish teaching sees them as interpreting and applying the Torah, not replacing it.
Jewish tradition regards Moses (Moshe Rabbeinu, 'Moses our teacher') as the greatest prophet of all — the only one to whom G-d spoke, as the Torah puts it, face to face.
Every later prophet measures the people against the covenant Moses brought.
Tap a book, then tap the division of the Tanakh it belongs to.
Elijah confronts the worship of other gods and insists on the exclusive claim of the one G-d — the same claim made in the Shema.
Elijah has a remarkable afterlife in Jewish practice:
The prophets are relentless on one theme: worship without justice is worthless. Ritual that leaves the poor unprotected is rejected.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos and others call the powerful to account for how they treat the widow, the orphan and the stranger. This is the root of Jewish teaching on tzedakah (righteous giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
The prophetic message always leaves a door open. The Hebrew word teshuvah means returning — turning back to G-d.
Jewish teaching holds that wrongs against another person must be put right with that person — G-d's forgiveness does not substitute for theirs.
Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right.
The prophets are not only studied — they are read aloud. After the weekly Torah portion (the sidrah) is read from the Sefer Torah, a passage from the Nevi'im is read: the Haftarah.
At a Bar or Bat Mitzvah the young person may chant the Haftarah — one reason prophetic texts are so familiar in Jewish communities.
The prophets nourish Jewish hope: a future age of peace and justice, sometimes associated with a messianic figure descended from David.
Respectful accuracy: Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah, because the messianic age of peace and the ingathering of the Jewish people have not arrived. Say this plainly and neutrally.
Possible evaluation prompt: 'For Jews, the prophets matter as much as the Torah.' Discuss.
Navi: A prophet speaks G-d's word and recalls the people to the covenant
Tanakh: Torah · Nevi'im · Ketuvim — the Torah has the highest authority
Moses: The greatest prophet: burning bush, Exodus, Torah at Sinai
Elijah: Insists on the one G-d; a cup is set for him at the Seder
Justice: Amos 5:24 — worship without justice is worthless; tzedakah, tikkun olam
Teshuvah: Repentance; the Ten Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
You have covered the prophets, and how they support the 0490 Judaism topics on covenant and on the Torah. Press Finish to see your score.
You've worked through Judaism: The Prophets for Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies (0490). 🎉
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