Fearing a False Prophet

Negative Commandment 29

By Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon ("Maimonides"); translated by Berel Bell

The 29th prohibition is that we are forbidden from giving honorable treatment1 to a false prophet, or from refraining from executing him, since he says prophecy in the name of G‑d. Once we have determined his falseness,2 we should not fear punishment3 whatsoever.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement (exalted be He),4 "Do not fear him."

In the words of the Sifri, "The verse, 'Do not fear him,' teaches that one may not refrain from helping to convict him."

The details of this mitzvah have been explained at length in our Introduction to the Mishneh.

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Negative Commandment 28

Negative Commandment 30

Footnotes

Kapach, 5731, (note 41) notes that the Arabic word denotes honoring a person, or in the vernacular, "treating him with silk gloves." This corresponds to the Rambam's ruling (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 5:9), "One who refrains from executing the false prophet because of his greatness — that he follows the path of prophecy — transgresses a prohibition." Regarding the qualification to "follow the path of prophecy," see Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:1.
Chavel's version mistakenly translates, "to have pity."
In Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 5:9, the Rambam rules that even if one merely allows himself to fear the words of this false prophet, he transgresses this prohibition.

See Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 10:1-5, regarding how to determine whether a prophet and/or his prophecy are true or false. This determination of falseness may only be made by the 71-member Sanhedrin (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 5:9).

From executing him (Chinuch, 522). Chavel, evidently basing himself on the translation of Ibn Tibbon, translates "fear of sin."

Deut. 18:22.

By Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon ("Maimonides"); translated by Berel Bell

Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.

From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by Sichos in English.

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