## Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah Section 3

###### Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:1
[Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rambam%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Mishnah/r/3:1)

**ואני** רואה שזה המקום ראוי לבאר בו העיקר הזה. ואי אפשר אלא אחרי אשר נחלק טענת התיחס הנביאים לנבואה במה תצדק הנבואה שזה כמו כן עיקר גדול.

**Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah, translation by Rabbi Francis Nataf, 2017:**
**And I see** that this is a fit place to elucidate this fundamental principle. And it is impossible [to do so] except after dividing the prophets that claim to have prophecy according to the way their prophecy is validated – which is likewise a great fundamental principle.


###### Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:2
[Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rambam%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Mishnah/r/3:2)

וכבר שגו בו כל המון האדם גם מתי מספר מידועיהם שהם מדמים בנפשם שהנבואה לא תתקיים לכל המתיחס אליה עד עשותו אות מופלא כגון אות מאותות משה רבינו ז"ל וישנה מנהג כמו שעשה אליהו זכור לטוב בהחיותו בן האשה האלמנה (מלכים א יז) או כמו שנודע לכל אדם מאותות אלישע עליו השלום.

**Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah, translation by Rabbi Francis Nataf, 2017:**
And already all of the masses of people – and also a small number of their notables – have erred in this, as they imagine to themselves that prophecy does not exist with one who has it until he does a wondrous sign – like the signs of Moshe, our teacher, may his memory be blessed – and he changes the manner of the world; [or] like Eliyahu, may his memory be for the good, did in his bringing back to life the son of the widowed woman (II Kings 17); or, as is known to every person, with the signs of Elisha, peace be upon him.


###### Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:3
[Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rambam%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Mishnah/r/3:3)

וזה אינו עיקר אמת שכל מה שעשו אליהו ואלישע וזולתם מהנביאים מהאותות לא עשאום כדי לקיים נבואתם שהנבואה כבר נתקיימה להם קודם לכן. אבל עשו האותות ההם לצרכיהם ולרוב קרבתם אל הקב"ה השלים חפצם כמו שהבטיח לצדיקים ותגזר אומר ויקם לך (איוב כב) אבל תתקיים הנבואה במה שנספר בדבר שהחלנו לדבר בו.

**Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah, translation by Rabbi Francis Nataf, 2017:**
And this is not a true fundamental principle. As everything that Eliyahu and Elisha and the rest of the prophets did of [these] wonders, they did not do them in order to establish their [status] of prophecy – as their prophecy was already established before then. Rather, they did these signs for their needs; and because of their abundant closeness to the Holy One, blessed be He, He fulfilled their wills. As it is promised to the righteous ones (Job 22:28), "And you will decide to say it, and it will arise for you." But their prophecy is established by that which we will explain about the matter that we have begun to speak about.


###### Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:4
[Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah 3:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rambam%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Mishnah/r/3:4)

ואומר בתחלה שעיקר דתנו בענין הנבואה על מה שאומר. והוא שהמתיחסים לנבואה נחלקים בתחלה לשני חלקים מתנבא בשם עכו"ם או מתנבא בשם: ונבואת עכו"ם תחלק לשני חלקים:

**Rambam Introduction to the Mishnah, translation by Rabbi Francis Nataf, 2017:**
And I say at the outset that that which I say is a fundamental principle in our religion regarding prophecy – and that is that those that [claim to] have prophecy are first divided into two categories: the one that prophecies in the name of idolatry and the one that prophecies in the name of God. And the prophecy of idolatry is divided into categories: