Jewish visionaries remain timeless inspiration

Businesses are constantly unveiling new plans to get us more involved and invested, including “profit sharing.” As we begin the new year 2026, I realize that we Jews have had our own “Prophet Sharing Plan” for thousands of years. 

In the weekly Haftorah on Shabbat, or through general study, we engage with the Biblical prophets, like Jeremiah, Elijah, Jonah, and Deborah. They are our role models, setting our standards of holiness, scholarship, and closeness to G-d. 

The Talmud teaches that there were hundreds of thousands of prophets but most conveyed messages solely for their own generations. 

Our scripture identifies only 55 “Prophets of Israel”: 48 men and seven women. Some were grumpy, angry, or reluctant. Others were comforting, inspiring, and charismatic. Some were poetic, and some rather strange. 

All are called into service by G-d, and therefore must prove their legitimacy to, and assert their authority over, the people. The prophets, people of tremendous faith, could see beyond what was happening to what was possible.  

The Hebrew term for prophet is “navi,” from the old Hebrew word meaning to “call” or “proclaim’—in their case, to proclaim the word of G-d. Also, prophets are, simply by speaking out, a threat to the status quo. I’ve always believed that the role of the prophets has been “to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.” 

The prophetic voice is one of the great Jewish contributions to civilization. Prophetic voices provide clarity and insight during times of uncertainty. They challenge injustices and advocate for marginalized communities. They inspire spiritual renewal and deeper connection to faith. They foster unity and encourage collective action. But most of all they instill hope, reminding us of a possibility beyond what we face right now. 

As the prophets were G-d’s emissaries in the world in their days, we too are G-d’s partners in speaking up, speaking out, and fixing that which is broken in our world today. The words of the prophets continue to inspire and guide us in that sacred task.  

The purpose of the prophetic reading is to strengthen our overall Jewish faith. To be a Jew in 2026 is to hear the voice of the prophets in our head; to be engaged in the ongoing work of tikkun olam; to strive to improve the world in which we live; to be G-d’s partners in speaking for the voiceless and tending the helpless. 

Each and every week, as we read the inspiring words of our prophets, may we come to merit the promise of the prophet Isaiah:  

“Then shall your light burst forth like the dawn, your healing flourish, your righteousness go before you, and God’s presence gather you up…And you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:8) 

The dividends from your investment in our prophets are simply priceless. 

Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein has served as Senior Rabbi at Am Shalom in Glencoe since 2002. He is the author of For the Love of Being Jewish and For the Love of Israel.