The Lechem Mishneh (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) and Mesores HaShas (Shabbos 92a, Nedarim 38a) note an apparent contradiction.
The Gemara (Shabbos 92a) states: “The Divine Presence rests only upon one who is wise, strong, wealthy, and tall.” Taken literally, this refers to intellectual wisdom, physical strength, wealth, and impressive stature. However, the Gemara in Nedarim (38a) says: “The Divine Presence rests only upon one who is wise, strong, wealthy, and humble.” Not “tall” -- but “humble.”
Is tall physical stature a prerequisite for prophecy? The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) writes: “Prophecy rests only upon one who is exceedingly wise, strong in his character traits, whose Inclination never overcomes him in any matter, but who continually overcomes his Inclination through reason; one of broad and correct understanding, and physically whole.”
Thus, “strong” refers not to physical might but to moral strength, as in “Who is mighty? He who conquers his inclination.” “Wealthy” means rich in spirit, and “tall” refers to wholeness of body and character (see Lechem Yehudah).
Indeed, the Kesef Mishneh interprets the Rambam in this manner, but still questions it, since the Gemara in Nedarim seems to speak of literal, physical traits. He therefore concludes that the Rambam defined the essential conditions for prophecy, and omitted the nonessential physical ones.
To explain why the Rambam does not list the Gemara’s literal traits, the Kesef Mishnah cites the Rosh (Nedarim 38a), who notes that several prophets were granted prophecy even without all those physical qualities. Hence, the Gemara’s prophetic prerequisites must mean that prophecy dwells permanently only upon those possessing such attributes, though others may receive it occasionally. Accordingly, the Rambam listed only the indispensable spiritual prerequisites, not those required for enduring prophecy.
Rabbi Eliezer Rokach (Turei Even, Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) explains that there is a dispute between the Gemara in Shabbos and the Gemara in Nedarim. However, other passages indicate that prophecy may rest even upon someone who is poor or physically small, and based on these sources, the Rambam concluded that such physical features are not halachically necessary for prophecy.
The Shalmei Nedarim (Nedarim 38a) notes that the Rambam himself, in Shemoneh Perakim (Perek 7), does not interpret the Gemara’s description literally. According to him, “wise” refers to intellectual clarity and insight rather than academic scholarship; “strong” and “wealthy” describe inner qualities — moral strength and emotional contentment, not physical power or material riches.
He further explains that a prophet need not possess complete perfection in every trait, but should maintain general balance and wholeness of character.
The Rambam does not, however, clarify how he understood the requirements of being “tall” or “humble.”
