Does Judaism recognize contemporary prophets?

Question

Some new religions like Bahai believe in relatively recent prophets.

Some Christian sects, like Mormonism, often seen as heretics by the rest, believe in continuing revelations. So prophets are still coming according to them.

Most Christians believe that prophets ended some time after Jesus. The Catholic Church believes that public revelations already ended but private prophecy is still ongoing.

Some Christians believe that they are prophets (for example, Benny Hinn).

Okay, what about Judaism?

Are there still prophets in Judaism? Can't find this anywhere. I've heard some say that Malachi was the last prophet or something.

Answer 1

The last of the true prophets (nevi'im) were indeed Chaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Talmud (Bava Batra 12a) cites:

R. Abdimi from Haifa said: Since the day when the Temple was destroyed, prophecy has been taken from the prophets and given to the wise.

i.e. the wise can predict the future using their wisdom, but not through nevua - prophecy.

(The Talmud [Bava Batra 12b] also cites Rabbi Yochanan that since the destruction of the Temple, prophecy was given over to children and the mad.)

Answer 2

A prophet is not just an intuitive or clairvoyant individual. Of those we have plenty. The Rambam describes the initiation of a Navi as a rigorous test. He must be very precise. If he says that a certain event will happen at two o'clock next Thursday and it happens at three, he is not a prophet. There are no such people around.

Now, although Nevua stopped, there were other levels of divine communication that remained. Nevua is clear communication, where a Navi will speak in the name of Hashem. Ruach Hakodesh is divinely guided awareness. There were lucid dreams throughout the generations and there is גלוי אליהו, where אליהו הנביא reveals himself to a worthy individual and teaches him Torah.

In summary, we recognize the existence of people that can predict or advise but true prophecy just hadn't happened yet.

Answer 3

In Guide for the Perplexed 2:36 Rambam writes:

The same circumstance, prevalence of sadness and dulness, was undoubtedly the direct cause of the interruption of prophecy during the exile: for can there be any greater misfortune for man than this: to be a slave bought for money in the service of ignorant and voluptuous masters, and powerless against them as they unite in themselves the absence of true knowledge and the force of all animal desires? Such an evil state has been prophesied to us in the words, "They shall run to and fro to seek the word of God, but shall not find it" (Amos viii. 12); "Her king and her princes are among the nations, the law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord" (Lam. ii. 9). This is a real fact, and the cause is evident; the pre-requisites [of prophecy] have been lost. In the Messianic period--may it soon commence--prophecy will therefore again be in our midst, as has been promised by God. (Friedlander translation)