One of the great changes that Geula will bring about is obviously the return of prophecy which will no longer be reserved to a minority, but which will be granted to all the people of Israel. As it is written [1]: “And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy.”

The Midrash comments [2]: “G.d said: in this world, only a few individuals prophesied, in the future world, all Israel will be prophets.”

When we talk about prophecy, it should be understood at large. It is not just an ability to see the future. It is above all an individual mystical experience, a closeness to the Shechina – the divine presence.

Foreseeing the future, seeing things which are hidden from the common people is only a consequence. In the time of the Temple, when the Shechina resided in Israel, there were many prophets. There were even “Yeshivot” – schools of prophecy.

The books of the prophets have come down to us because their message and vision will remain relevant until the arrival of Mashiach. In addition to the prophets that are mentioned in these books, there were also thousands of prophets’ students.

When the First Temple was destroyed, the Holy Spirit (prophecy) disappeared from Israel [3], even though the last prophets kept on having some revelations after the destruction of the Temple and the concealment of the Holy Ark. Avodat Hakodesh [4] explains that by the fact that they had received prophecy before destruction. In the following generations, however, prophecy disappeared and only a very “low” level of holy spirit (Ruach Hakodesh) has kept residing on the great Tzadikim.

Prophecy for everyone?

It is true that the Radak [5] believes that prophecy will not reside on everyone at the end of time. The inflow of “spirit” in question here concerns the knowledge of G.d, which will be universal (“all flesh”). On the other hand, when it comes to prophesying, only “your sons and your daughters” are mentioned, in other terms: not everyone. Abravanel adopts the same position in his comments.

On the contrary, the Chassidut [6] considers that the spirit of prophecy will reside on each individual. It will no longer be an “option” depending on individual abilities but a natural and normal state of Israel. That makes sense, especially considering that the coming of Mashiach is to bring about the revelation of the true essence of Jewish soul, which is “Chelek Eloka Mima'al Mamash [7]” (truly a part of G.d). G.d and his people will become one; therefore it is consistent to think that all Israel, each individual, will benefit from a privileged relationship with the Creator.

This return will take place over time

In the same way that prophecy gradually disappeared, it will reappear little by little. The level of Ruach Hakodesh that was granted to the ancient prophets 2500 years ago will return to the Tzadikim first – even before Geula.

The Rambam wrote [8] that he received from his masters that prophecy would return at the end of the fifth millennium and that it would be one of the signs indicating that we are getting closer to the days of Mashiach. He even certified that in his time lived a man who, beyond doubt, was a prophet!

Actually, it may be noted that the Rambam, who codified prophecy in his work of Halacha (the Mishneh Torah), did not write anywhere that prophecy no longer exists. On the contrary, he clearly wrote that if we met all the conditions presented in his book, then we would immediately deserve prophecy.

By the way, at this time, our sources testify that many Tzadikim benefited from the spirit of prophecy [9].

In the following generations, large unveilings of Ruach Hakodesh were granted to the Ari HaKadosh, and two centuries later to the Baal Shem Tov and his students about whom the Tzemach Tzedech wrote that they could see “from one end of the world to the other”. They were asked questions that, in the past, would only have been asked to the prophets, and their extraordinary answers could only be inspired by G.d [10].

As for us, now, we can only hope that very soon this spirit of prophecy will not only the privilege of our great Tzadikim, but that we may also receive it and see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise [11]: “Your Teacher shall no longer be concealed from you, and your eyes shall see your Teacher.”

Based on the speeches of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the book “Sodot HaGeulah” (Menachem Brod).

[1] Yoel 3.1

[2] Tanchuma at the end of Parashat Behaalotecha

[3] Yoma 9b; Sota 48b

[4] Part 4 chapter 24

[5] On Yoel 3.1

[6] Emshech Ayin Beth 2 p.936

[7] Tania Likoutey Amarim, chapter 2

[8] The Epistle to Yemen, chapter 3

[9] Like Rabbi Shmuel HaChassid, Rabbi Eleazar (the author of the Rokeach), the Ramban, the Raavad, Rabbi Ezra HaNavi, Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid. See Likoutey Sichot 2 p.588

[10] See Sefer Hachakira p.65a

[11] 30.20