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Education

New Israeli School Actually Teaches Students To Be Prophets

Dec. 29, 2012 3:00pm Mytheos Holt

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Instead of long beards and robes, they wear track suits and T-shirts. Their tablets are electronic, not hewn of stone, and they hold smartphones, not staffs. They may not look the part, but this ragtag group of Israelis is training to become the next generation of prophets.

For just 200 shekels, about $53, and in only 40 short classes, the Cain and Abel School for Prophets says it will certify anyone as a modern-day Jewish soothsayer.

Cain And Abel School of Prophets Teaches Israeli Students To Be Spiritual Leaders

Charlton Heston as Moses in “The Ten Commandments” (File Photo)

The school, which launched classes this month, has baffled critics, many of whom have dismissed it as a blasphemy or a fraud.

On a religious level, Jewish tradition recognizes a few dozen prophets from the biblical era — from the monumental figures of Abraham, Moses and Elijah to lesser known foretellers of doom and tormented questioners like Micah the Morashtite and Habakkuk. Tradition says no one can be a prophet ever since the Romans destroyed the second temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 and the era of prophecy can only be revived with the arrival of the Messiah and the temple’s rebuilding. As one Talmudic phrase puts it, the only prophets now are children and fools.

But also, on a philosophical level, how do you learn divine inspiration in school? And can anyone learn?

“There is no way to teach prophecy,” said Rachel Elior, a professor of Jewish thought at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University. “It’s like opening a school for becoming Einstein or Mozart.”

That hasn’t deterred the school’s founder and sole teacher Shmuel Hapartzy, a follower of Chabad, a worldwide Orthodox Jewish outreach and worship movement that has come under fire because part of its membership crowned its late leader the Messiah. The Chabad movement in Israel has distanced itself from the school.

Shmuel Fortman Hapartzy, the Cain and Abel School for Prophets founder and teacher speaks to students. (Photo Credit: AP)

Anyone looking in the curriculum for “Parting the Sea 101″ or “How to Predict the Future” or even “Principles of Proclaiming A Jeremiad” will be disappointed. Instead, students learn about the meaning of dreams, the classification of angels, the mysteries of the holy spirit. They learn how to discern a person’s inner feelings from his or her external behavior and appearance.

Hapartzy can’t guarantee his course will give his students a direct line to God. But, he says, the syllabus provides the essential tools to bring out the prophet in anyone.

“In the past there were prophets but even now, in our time, divinity is being revealed to everyone. We just need to open our eyes to it,” said Hapartzy at his introductory course, which is held at a religious center in grungy south Tel Aviv, known more for its licentious street parties than piety.

And graduates do get a diploma.

There’s little “profit” motive to the venture. Hapartzy said the token fee is to prove students’ dedication and is donated to the religious center hosting the school. There’s no application process — anyone who wants to become a prophet can do so by just showing up for the course.

The school’s inaugural class this month welcomed a mixed bag of 12 students ranging in age from 18 to 50. One man had scruffy stubble and wore a blue track suit. Another walked in with a guitar slung over his back. Others fiddled with their phones during the lecture or stepped out to smoke. Two had long beards and wore Jewish skullcaps.

Darya Popdinitz, who drove in from Jerusalem for the course, wore a pink hat with dangling pompons. She said her knowledge of biblical prophets was limited, but she was “curious” about the course.

“It’s a real diverse mix of people,” said Hapartzy.

The class itself is a modest study group. In the small room, the men sat in a circle around Hapartzy, with the women separately in a corner, following Orthodox Judaism’s segregation of the sexes. Hapartzy lectures and hands out study material — photocopied excerpts of holy books — and a question period follows. The students’ homework is to conduct good deeds and pray.

The 34-year-old Hapartzy has a varied background. A software engineer and Russian immigrant, with a long beard and dressed in black ultra-Orthodox garb, he said he was originally an atheist. He dabbled in “sciences, mysticism, Chinese philosophy, astrology, black magic and Christian cults” until, he said, he turned to Judaism.

He compiled the study materials from writings he said could be found in any religious library — including, no surprise, the books of the biblical prophets. Since there’s no traditional set course for becoming a prophet, Hapartzy used his own judgment for what subjects would be appropriate.

Like some in the Chabad movement, Hapartzy believes that the Messiah has already come and that the age of redemption is nigh, so it has possible to have prophets again. Claims by some that late leader Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was the Messiah split the Chabad movement and brought harsh criticism from other Jews.

Hapartzy said his school aims to prepare everyone for the new messianic era. The school is named after the sons of Adam and Eve — Cain was the first murderer and Abel the first victim. The name represents a person’s different spiritual poles, which the school aims to unite, Hapartzy said.

The desire to open up the realm of prophecy to anyone has raised hackles in some circles.

“It’s completely crazy,” said Menachem Brod, a Chabad spokesman. Facebook commenters have accused the school of “charlatanism and blasphemy.”

Roie Greenvald, a 27-year-old tennis instructor attending the classes, also showed some skepticism. While he expressed interest in the spiritual development the course offers, one crucial detail stands in the way of his religious elevation.

“I’m not going to become a prophet,” he said. “I don’t think it pays very well.”

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Comments (83)

Yahtalmid
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 8:38pm
These guys are not on the right track I think, but who knows. There is what is probably a school for prophets (sons of the prophets) mentioned in connection with Elisha in the Bible (like 2 Kings 2). Elisha was an assistant to Elijah and seemingly would’ve learned the trade from him. But he isn’t listed as doing anything prophetic until after he received double Elijah’s spirit after Elijah’s departure. Prophesying is ‘forthtelling’ the Word of God as well as ‘foretelling.’ In some ways all believers are prophets. In all cases prophets (or believers) have to stay in line with God’s previous revelation. The main mark of a prophet is he who teaches others to follow God. A prophet could foretell and the foretelling come to pass. But if he said to follow other gods, then he was a false prophet.

Following other gods (idolatry) includes telling people the Laws of God have no relevance anymore, or have been ‘fulfilled’ and removed. The Messiah Jesus was a prophet in both ways – His foretelling was accurate (of course) and He always pointed people to worship of the Father and obedience to “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Lots of false prophets have turned people away from God without ever uttering a single foretelling. Some of them even have TV shows and mega-churches…

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- universalphilos
  Posted on December 31, 2012 at 12:51am
  Thank you. That has been my experience, and what I have seen.
  
  Report this comment
stealthseesall
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:51pm
is PROPHET a code word for US Congressman / U.S State Congressman / U.S Local Govt Official US Federal State or County Judge School Board Member Media Mogel Journalist ???

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chips1
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:43pm
If you study and work hard to become a prophet, Obama will just tax you more.

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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:49pm
  Get some fresh air and pace yourself. You won’t have a chance to vote for The Quitter from Wasilla or Rick Perry for another four years…
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:12pm
  I hope your right.
  
  Report this comment
- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:45pm
  Chips, from your mouth to life’s ear. A Quitter/Perry ticket would ensure 20 more years of Democrat rule. It’s what the GOP gets for being hijacked my the lunatic fringe. The party of Reagan and Dole is a ghost…
  
  Report this comment
- JediKnight
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 11:25pm
  The party of Reagan? You mean the party that didn’t want Reagan. The party that tried to put up G HW Bush in place of Reagan. G HW Bush, the guy that spent 8 years as the VP and didn’t learn a damn thing from Reagan.
  
  If the Tea Party is killing the GOP candidates, then I say good. Put up a real conservative and watch us win every single election (or maybe you don’t remember Reagan winning in a landslide twice).
  
  Report this comment
- Ohello
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 11:37pm
  God appoints prophets, You will be able to tell in time who is and who is not a prophet. The Mortmans have prophets too
  
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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 30, 2012 at 1:10am
  The Mortmans? Are they that nice Jewish couple down the street?
  
  Report this comment
- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 30, 2012 at 1:13am
  Jedi, a Tea Party type of “real” conservative? You think someone from the extreme right will win the presidency? Haven’t you guys learned anything from the election and your subsequent self examination? You couldn’t get MITT ROMNEY elected in a year which favored the GOP across the board! You think someone right of him will do better? Haaaaaa!
  
  Report this comment
TheCalmOne
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:22pm
How is this different from the Mormon church and its President, who is supposed to receive revelation from God, and whom they call a prophet, seer and revelator?

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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:46pm
  Or any religion. It’s all man-created…
  
  Report this comment
- lefty5005
  Posted on December 31, 2012 at 11:14am
  Zeus, what are you going to do when a conservative confront you and wants to eradicate you from the face of the earth. Since you are against everything it is hard to know what you are for except ******** on Satan. How’s it taste.
  
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jungle J
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:52pm
religious people are dangerous…faithful people are delightful…only the sane understand the difference.

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- AVW
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:03pm
  why aren’t religious people faithful?
  
  Report this comment
ShyLow
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:24pm
Levi is the priest tribe
Levi 501 genes

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Gonzo
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:02pm
I knew Obama would be a disaster before he ever took office. I should get an honorary degree.

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Noonien_Soong
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 4:48pm
I figuratively smell the scent of progressivism afoot. This smells of revisionist religious dogma.

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- stealthman
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:06pm
  This so called Rabbi is on the fringe of a fringe of some Lubavitcher Jews who believe that their former Rabbi in the Lubavitch Chassidic sect who died over 18 years ago is the Messiah. Most Lubavitchers don’t believe that. So the ones that do believe that the Age of Prophesy has returned….some of them. This lunatic is taking people off the street to teach them to be prophets. As someone earlier said: This is more like a Monty Python skit than a news piece.
  
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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:47pm
  All religious dogma is dangerous poison…
  
  Report this comment
- 475Linebaugh
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:30pm
  @zeus is lord, would that include the dogma of the Golden Rule?
  
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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:48pm
  line, “do unto others…” is a basic precept of morality and compassion found within the human condition. That the concept was written in the Bible doesn’t make it any more pious than when it was written in Aesops’ fables or “Huclkeberry Finn”…
  
  Report this comment
- Ohello
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 11:40pm
  Zeus is ….another communist progressive Fabian. Dedicated to Lucifer.
  
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- Zeus is THE Lord
  Posted on December 30, 2012 at 1:16am
  Othello, you’re the neanderthal who’s the Bible literalist and believes all that mythology. How can I follow Lucifer if I find him to be a fictional character meant to scare the weak-minded such as yourself. I don’t believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, either…
  
  Report this comment
- BondmanPhil
  Posted on December 31, 2012 at 11:12am
  Boys, boys! Please don’t fight. Belief in a religion is, by definition, a matter of faith. Either you have faith or you don’t. Either you are willing to accept that which by definition is beyond proof or disproof, or you’re not. Ridiculing someone who believes otherwise than you do is childish, mean and intolerant.
  
  Report this comment
gyro
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 4:21pm
name of this topic seems wrong

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- SciPro
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:57pm
  Hey Gyro … Maybe the name is wrong, but, it is interesting to note that Israel will have a couple of ‘Prophets’ defending the land City from a general attack in the last days according to the Book Of Revelations. I sense perhaps, biblical prophecy about to come to pass … what do you think? very Interesting …
  
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stealthman
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 4:17pm
Cain and Abel School. What the heck? Kayin murdered his brother Hevel (Cain murdered Abel). I live here, and I can tell you that the 200 shekels could be put to a better use. When prophesy returns to Israel, I will let G-d do the calling.

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RollyBones
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 4:15pm
Sounds way too much like a Monty Python Script!
‘Life of Brian’ comes to mind!
Rolly

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mbean
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:53pm
If they are not teaching Jihad, Decapitating, Raping and Stoning women, then whats the big deal?

Islamic schools around the world teach far worse.

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woodyee
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:46pm
After January 1, even some Leftist Libs will be shocked when they (those that can read and do simple math) see their pay stubs!

Okay – where do I get my big stick and robe?

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- chips1
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:50pm
  Moses sure knew how to stick it, didn’t he?
  
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semihardrock
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:42pm
Heard it was a “training program” for US Government Legislative bodies……

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tonypro
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:36pm
Let me teach anyone willing to become a prophet for FREE right now, it’s really very simple, and can be taught in one sitting.

In order to see what’s coming in the future…(drum roll goes here)

Just read Revelations in the Bible.

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- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:46pm
  It’s actually REVELATION not plural; but you are so right about what happens at the end of the BOOK.
  
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- VaARNG_Guardsman
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:30pm
  TRONINTHEMORNING: Knows the proper name…..of Revelation. If you can’t get the name right, I serious doubt you have a handle of the content.
  
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bonesiii
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:26pm
They do realize that in the past, most actual prophets were murdered? :P

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- Jim S
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:41pm
  ..also most were wrong :)….to predict floods, earthquakes, war etc etc etc..these are as common as sunsets..not really impressed…can I take a “Creative Writing” class with this class…then I can say really mundane things and sound wise and insightful….mmmm…who else does that around here :)
  
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- bonesiii
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:39pm
  I’m talking about “actual” prophets; the ones that God actually spoke to. The Bible set a standard to tell fake ones from real ones, and it says in many places that the people often killed the real ones.
  
  The fake ones by contrast were often quite popular. They tended to tell people what they wanted to hear…
  
  Report this comment
- SovereignSoul
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 5:58pm
  I’m talking about “actual” prophets; the ones that God actually spoke to.
  
  I thought “God speaks to us all, if we’re only willing to listen”. At least that’s what I’m told.
  
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- SamIamTwo
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:32pm
  SovereignSoul
  
  He does but did He tell you something that we should all know?
  
  To be a real Prophet of God, you have to be 100% dead on…not 80, not 90, and not 99%.
  
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- chips1
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:54pm
  Rush isn’t going to like your post.
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 8:17pm
  “I thought “God speaks to us all, if we’re only willing to listen”. At least that’s what I’m told.”
  In the sense of the Holy Spirit guiding our daily lives in terms of what’s right, and accepting the truth, yes. As far as the Bible teaches, though, God does not give direct insights from his beyond-time perspective out to people anymore in the sense of biblical prophets. The main purpose of doing so was to demonstrate the credentials of those who were to write the books of the Bible, so that the most important insights could be written down by trustworthy sources for all time. :) So that kind of truth comes to us now by reading God’s Word.
  
  There won’t be a need for direct prophecy until Jesus returns (keep in mind Jesus’ warnings that “back-room” fake Christs like this Chabad guy will come; when the real Jesus comes everyone on Earth will instantly know it because he will “come in power”, etc.), as we’re still in the time of waiting and spreading the gospel, giving as many as much time to come to Him via his Word and the Spirit’s prompting as possible. :)
  
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- bonesiii
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 8:21pm
  Also, when Jesus does return and set up the Millenial Kingdom prior to Judgement Day, presumably he would do any telling of the future himself, so there probably won’t even be a need for other people as prophets then either.
  
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The-Monk
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:26pm
$53 ???

Funny, it didn’t cost me any money. LOL

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- qpwillie
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:51pm
  @The-Monk
  LOL! I’m sure it wasn’t talking about you. Your talents go without saying. (-;
  
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- DadRocked
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 4:58pm
  qpwillie – “Your talents go without saying. (-;”
  Oh what a suckup to the teacher…
  
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woodyee
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:26pm
Gaybama went to the School of Alinsky for Prophets, and look what it got him! Just 24.99. But he called within the first 10 minutes and got two classes for 19.99.

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SamIamTwo
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:24pm
And if you read the Torah, prophets had to be 100% correct ALL the time or they would be stoned.

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TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:22pm
As stated in the Bible; all people, Jew or Gentile; are on level ground at the foot of the cross of Christ. What will you do with Christ? Accept or deny. It’s pass or fail as far as salvation is concerned. I am so glad God made salvation a gift and not something one must work for all his or her life.

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- AVW
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 6:53pm
  if i was a guy trying to create a religion thats exactly what i would claim to get followers…
  
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- chips1
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:10pm
  AVW:
  Or, you can just give people a free phone.
  
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Al J Zira
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:16pm
I’ll play prophet for a few seconds. I predict the U.S. will fall from it’s perch as the greatest nation on earth in the next two years under the watchful eye of Obama.

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- chips1
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 7:20pm
  Typical prophet trick. You’re 4 years too late.
  
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Steelhead
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:16pm
prophet or profit?

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- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:29pm
  I was thinking the same thing.
  
  Notice how much religion loves money?
  
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- M13
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:49pm
  Steelhead is the prophet of outright stupidity and lies.
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 11:48pm
  ModerationIsBest
  
  Different Day, “same I hate religion crap” from Moderation. Have you read about the Priest that took care of Tolkien?
  I just saw some priests & nuns the other day. It ain’t all **** shirts & wooden pillows, but it is nowhere near luxury.
  Maybe if they turned the heater down to 55 degrees in the winter, took cold showers & subsisted on 1,000 calories a day, maybe just maybe Moderation would no longer rant? Naw.
  
  Please play again. :)
  
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ZAP
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:15pm
Read the Bible its free and contains no lies….

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- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Yup, it doesn’t “lie” because you people claim it’s your “interpretation” and claim the infallibility of the Bible for your interpretation.
  
  Once your interpretation is proven false, you say ‘well the Bible never said that!”
  
  Report this comment
marssnw
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:07pm
I love Israel, but you can’t teach someone to be a prophet. God chooses who will be a prophet. With that said, I don’t believe we really have prophets anymore. God speaks to all christians in their heart, but there are not to many people who have talked directly to God like Moses, Elijah or some of the other prophets. I believe God speaks directly to us through the Holy Spirit. Im very skeptical of anyone that calls themselves a prophet or a apostle.

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- BondmanPhil
  Posted on December 31, 2012 at 11:30am
  Yes, Marssnw, but the art of prophecy in Old Testament times was not just a matter of God calling some guy to prophecy out of the blue. There were many thousands among Israel that strove for prophecy. This meant living a strict religious life, both in one’s dealings with others as well as careful observance of Torah law. Then there were many levels of meditation that were said to be necessary to attain nevuah, or prophecy. If one was fully successful in all of these, he was eligable, but not assured, of the special relationship with God to which prophets were priviledged. But to be sure, only a tiny minority of these individuals were chosen. The rest were often referred to as Sons of the Prophets. A worthtwhile pursuit for the faithful in spite of the slim chances of success. But the methods of attaining prophecy were intentionally hidden as the practice was abused, not long after the completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. By Jesus’ time, there were preachers, but no prophets. Some of the Jewish mystics of the Middle Ages, the Kabbalists, were focused on reviving the art of preparation for prophecy, but normative Judaism has long discouraged the study of Kabbala, because of the potential for abuse and misunderstanding.
  
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Walkabout
Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:06pm
Fraud or conceit.

The most you can do is to work to be a good person. The rest is out of your control. God calls you not the other way around.

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- marssnw
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:10pm
  Amen!!
  
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- ZAP
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 3:17pm
  Without me you can do nothing
  
  Report this comment

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