7 Neviot (Prophetesses) of Israel for the Sweetening of Judgments
In Judaism, 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses are known to have uttered prophecies of great significance for all generations.
Although the commentaries on the Torah mention only 7 prophetesses, the Midrash
Shir HaShirim Rabbah (4:22) states: “Ke-she'amdu lahem le-Yisrael shishim ribo nevi'im, kach amdu lahem shishim ribo neviot” — just as 60,000 prophets arose for Israel, so too 60,000 prophetesses arose for them.
The Talmud, in tractate Megillah (14:1), explains that Israel had 7 prophetesses, namely:
Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah, and Esther.
The Mekubalim teach that when there are Dinim against Israel or against individual Jews, one should perform “lehamtik et ha-dinim” (the sweetening of judgments).
Mentioning the names of the 7 Neviot and studying their lives—how they attained the status of Nevuah—is itself a sweetening of judgments.
All Dinim depend on Malchut, and Malchut is the Nukvah, which in Kabbalah is “nekevah”—the feminine aspect.
When we study the 7 prophetesses, we must understand that their root in Malchut rectifies the root of judgment found there.
Anyone who studies the 7 Neviot and properly understands their gift of prophecy brings about a mitigation of judgments, even those extending from previous generations.
The 7 Neviot are:
2 from the Torah:
Sarah and Miriam,
4 in Nevi'im:
Devorah, Hannah, Abigail, and Huldah
1 in Ketuvim:
Esther HaMalkah.
The Matriarchs Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah were also Neviot, but their prophecy is not used in subsequent generations.
Some Neviot served as messengers of prophets—Miriam, Devorah, and Esther.
Others were prophetesses for kings—Abigail and Huldah.
And there were Neviot who prophesied for themselves, such as Sarah, while the prophetess Hannah also made predictions for future generations.
Each of them was a beacon and a source of protection for her husband. Seeing their husbands' shortcomings, they were able to help them find themselves and fulfill their purpose in their generation.
When a person needs to calm the judgments, they should remember the 7 Neviot, light candles in their honor, and awaken their merits; this is taught by the
Zohar HaKadosh.
It is beneficial, by the light of the candles, to recite Shirat Devorah, Miriam's Song, and Hannah's Prayer (Hannah's Prayer forms the basis of the central Jewish prayer—the Amidah).
1. “Shirat Devorah” (Shoftim, 5)
The complete song is here:
“Shirat Devorah” – a segula for teshuvah and the annulment of all sins
2. Miriam's Song (Bamidbar 21:17–20)
17. “Then Israel sang this song: Rise up, O well! Sing to it! 18. The well dug by princes, excavated by the nobles of the people with the staff, with their rods! And from the wilderness to Mattanah. 19. And from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamot. 20. And from Bamot to the valley in the field of Moab, to the summit of the height overlooking the wasteland. 21. Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying: 22. ‘Let me pass through your land! We will not turn into field or vineyard, nor will we drink well water; we will travel by the king's highway until we have passed your border.’”
3. Hannah's Prayer
Prayer of Hannah (Transliterated)
May the Zechut of the Neviot protect Am Yisrael!
(Based on a lesson by the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, a student of “Matok MiDevash”)
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