ABSTRACT
Rabbinic literature is notable for its often-unfair and arbitrary criticism of the biblical prophets from Moses on. The rabbis of the Talmud and Midrash used much ingenuity to invent flaws and failings in the actions and words of the prophets. Moses, the first and greatest of the prophets, is the outstanding target of the rabbis. The rabbis were more tolerant of the prophets of the destruction, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as they prophesied in the name of God. The most extraordinary criticism of a prophet in rabbinic literature appears in Rabbi Phineas’ interpretation of Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones. Rabbinic efforts had only limited success in eliminating extreme Jewish self-criticism and self-hate, which became fixed in Jewish life. The rabbis saw and acted on the need for strong Jewish education to transmit positive values of Judaism to the younger generation.
