BH
Lichvod HaRabbanim Shlita. Shalom Brochoh!
You recently responded to someone that we do not consider Daniel a full Navi. Can you please explain more? If Daniel is not a Navi, what do we consider him to be? What do we call him? How do we categorize his “teachings”? If his “prophecies” are not “prophecies”, then what are they? Especially since there are many Yidden that learn his sefer to explain about the days leading up to the coming of Moshiach Tzidkaynu, and to explain about mamesh Moshiach himself, that era, and so on. Much is learned from Daniel and what he teaches about the time leading to Moshiach, and the time of Moshiach’s arrival, and what things will be like after he is revealed and so on. So please explain how do consider the writings, teachings, lessons, and “prophecies” of Daniel? and if he is not a Navi, then what do we say he is, what do we consider him to be? Thank You. Have a safe & meaningful Chag Shavuot and Shabbos Kodesh.
Answer:
As mentioned, the Gemara writes that Daniel was not a prophet on the level of his compatriots Chagai, Zechariah, and Malachi. According to the Rambam (Moreh II:45) this implies that he was not on the level of prophecy. This does not mean he was not on a high spiritual level (the Rambam places him together with David and Solomon), but only that his visions were not strictly prophetic, but rather guided by a “Holy Spirit.” Some explain that his visions were dreams, rather than full prophecies.
The Abarbanel (Ma’ayanei Ha-Yeshua, Ma’ayan 3) writes at length to dispute this opinion, and states that Daniel was a full prophet, only that he was not sent to prophecize to the nation. This gives his “visions” the full status of prophecy, and not only of visions imbued with a holy spirit.
