Where is Jonah from?

Avigdor Shinan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In the context of a discussion in the Palestinian Talmud (Sukkah 5:1 [55a]) about the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate Simchat Beit Hashoeva (the water drawing ceremony at the Temple) and the merriment that would ensue, we are told that Jonah the son of Amittai “was among the pilgrims… he went to Simchat Beit Hashoeva and the divine spirit rested upon him.“Before this reference to Jonah, however, the Talmud first recounts the following story:1 A story is told about R. Levi and Yehudah b. [= the son of ] Nachman who were paid two Selas for gathering the congregation before R. Yohanan. Once R. Levi entered and preached, “Jonah the son of Amittai came from the tribe of Asher, as it is written ‘Asher did not dispossess the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon’ and it is written ‘Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon.'" R. Yohanan entered and preached, “Jonah the son of Amittai came from the tribe of Zebulun, as it is written ‘The third lot emerged for the Zebulunite’ and it is written ‘from there it ran to the east, toward the sunrise to Gath Hepher, to Eth-Katzin and to Rimmon’ and it is written ‘in accordance with the promise that the Lord the God of Israel had made through his servant the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath Hepher.'" On another Sabbath said R. Levi to Yehudah b. Nachman, “take for yourself these two Selas and you go and gather the congregation before R. Yohanan.�? He entered and said, “R. Yohanan spoke well: His mother was from Asher and his father from Zebulun.�?2.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationJesus Among the Jews
Subtitle of host publicationRepresentation and Thought
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages36-45
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781136488733
ISBN (Print)9780415782586
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2012

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2012 Neta Stahl for selection and editorial matter; individual contributors, their contributions.

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