Yirmiyahu class 1: What is Prophesy

[Moderator]

Rabbi David begins his course with an introduction to the topic of Nevua, prophesy.  He points out that a sefer becomes part of Neviim if the Navi has a mission to give over a specific universal message to the Jewish people.  Which of the hundreds of prophesies recorded in the Neviim do you feel has an especially relevant message to you personally, today?

[Chana2]

I just started learning Tzefanya. In perek beis, he says"aza azuva tihiyah v'ashkelon l'shmama..." Although he is referring to Phlishti cities, unfortunately, this prophecy is also applicable today. Jew have been transferred out of Aza and Ashkelon is being attacked. Sderot (inbetween Aza and Ashkelon,) is being attacked daily causing many Jews to leave.

May the positive prophecies of Tzefanya also be fulfilled. May we return to Aza and the other cities on the coast and may we rejoice with Yerushalaim as it is being rebuilt.

On a personal note, I just had a baby who we named Tzefanya, so I have a special connection to that name.

[Ayala1]

One of my favorite nevuot, is from Zecharya perek 3 (also read as the haftorah for chanuka). Hashem shows the navi an image of Yehosuah Kohen Gadol wearing dirty clothing, a symbol of his cheit for letting his children intermarry. But Hashem says that the Jews at this time are like an 'ud mutzal mei'aish' - a branch saved from the fire. Because of the hardships of galus, it becomes harder to serve Hashem perfectly. Hashem tells Yehoshuah K"G that if he follows the Torah, Hashem will give him 'Mehalchin bein ha'omdin ha'eileh' - he will be able to walk among those who are standing before Hashem. Those who are standing refers to the Malachim; they are on a high level, standing before Hashem, but because they have no bechira they remain imobile, they can not move up or down in their ruchni level. But man, with his bechira and ability to sin, is able to be a mihalech - to move. If we use our bechira properly, then we can become higher than the malachim.
It gives me chizuk to remember that Hashem wants us to struggle, and work on ourselves, and the fact that it's hard is what makes it so worthwhile. May we all rise michayil li'chayil.