The Difference Between Prophecy and Ruach HaKodesh
If both prophets and those who possess ruach hakodesh can see the future and perceive higher spiritual realities, what is the difference between them?
After the above preface, the answer now becomes quite simple. Both are a form of spiritual perception, but on different levels: prophecy on a higher level and ruach hakodesh on a lower level. After the destruction of the First Temple, the higher level of spiritual perception (prophecy) may be found in only a select few exceptional individuals in each generation. Ruach hakodesh, on the other hand, is much more commonly found.
Ruach hakodesh may not approach the great level of spiritual perception that existed during the era of prophecy, but those who possess it are still able to perceive reality on a vastly higher spiritual level than the average person.
The fact that ruach hakodesh exists after the age of prophecy is not an innovation of the chassidic movement. Many of the writings of leading Torah authorities attest to the existence of ruach hakodesh in our current era, particularly the writings of Rabbi Yitzchok Luria — the AriZal — one of Jewish history’s greatest authorities on the Kabbalah.
Many stories involving the ruach hakodesh of Reb Shimon Bar Yochai and many of his colleagues are found in the Zohar. Stories of the ruach hakodesh of Reb Yehudah HaChassid and the AriZal himself are also well known.
The Baal Shem Tov and the other chassidic Rebbes who followed recognized the urgent need to expose the Jewish people to the phenomenon of ruach hakodesh to a much greater extent. Because of the depressed spiritual level of the Jewish people in their times, a heightened consciousness and awareness of G-dliness was required in the world to revive one’s excitement and passion for G-d, manifesting in deeper levels of Torah study and Jewish practice.
Many areas of a person’s spiritual life are infused with vitality when he experiences a tzaddik’s ruach hakodesh, such as one’s service of G-d, love for G-d, and recognition of the Torah as G-dly. As stated in the works of Kabbalah and Chassidism, serving G-d with cords of love rather than out of fear of punishment is a superior service, for cultivating one’s passion and love for G-d and His Torah inspires a person to greater heights of G-dly service and encourages more and more people to adopt a Torah lifestyle.
Regardless of the degree of his spiritual perception, a tzaddik’s heightened level of G-dly awareness always existed in varying forms and intensity throughout Jewish history. By teaching a Jew to focus on the importance of connecting to tzaddikim and making him aware of the G-dly qualities they possess, the Baal Shem Tov was able to infuse spirituality, develop a love for G-d, and deepen Divine service among the masses in his and future generations.
Notes
See Kuntres Etz HaChaim, by the Rebbe Rashab (Kehot Publication Society, Brooklyn, NY), p. 78 in the Hebrew original, for a description of the AriZal’s astonishing spiritual perception.
