Jewish Prophets By David Heschel

Understanding Jewish Prophets Jewish prophets are meant to criticize the morals and ethics of their day, warn, comfort, and counsel the Israelite people. This essay will discuss multiple different prophets; who they are, what they did, and how their tasks align with Jewish morality from The Prophets, by Abraham Joshua Heschel.

In Judaism there are a total of 55 prophets. In Heschel’s book, he focuses on 7 of them. Amos, a prophet from 760-755 BC from the Southern Kingdom of Israel, was a farmer and dresser of sycamore trees. G-d addressed him with anger and disappointment toward the nations and his people for not upholding the ten commandments and their disregard for his word/warnings. Amos is also known as the prophet of doom for accurately foretelling the destruction of the Northern

G-d used Hosea’s personal life, Hosea’s loyalty to his wife and her disloyalty, as an example of his loyalty to his people and their unfaithfulness. Isaiah was a prophet from 742-687 BC. He was tasked with relaying virtue in God’s holiness rather than Israel’s covenant. He also spoke out against corrupt leaders and stood up for the disadvantaged, as well as foretelling the Messiah’s coming and bringing hope to the people. Micah was a prophet from 737-696 BC. He taught people that following the Lord, living justly, and loving mercifully were more important than offerings and sacrifices. He also fought for the oppressed, criticized unjust leaders, and prophesied the downfall and restoration of Judah and Israel. Jeremiah was a prophet from 626–587 BC. He was concerned with people's false or insincere worship and their failure to trust in G-d. He denounced social injustice and was sent to relay G-d’s judgement on his people for their wickedness. Habakkuk was a prophet from 605-597 BC. He is known as being an unusual prophet; instead of speaking