Rabbi Jonathan
| Rabbinical eras |
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Rabbi Jonathan (Hebrew: רבי יונתן, romanized: Rabi Yonatan) was a tanna of the 2nd century and schoolfellow of R. Josiah, apart from whom he is rarely quoted.
Jonathan is generally so cited within further designation; but there is ample reason for identifying him with the less frequently occurring Jonathan (or Nathan) b. Joseph (or "Jose").[1]
Biography[edit]
In consequence of the Hadrianic religious persecutions he determined to emigrate from Israel, and with several other scholars started on a journey to foreign parts. But his patriotism and innate love for the Holy Land would not permit him to remain abroad.[2]
Jonathan and Josiah were educated together at the academy of Ishmael ben Elisha,[3] whose dialectic system, as opposed to that of Rabbi Akiva, they acquired. It is even reported that Jonathan all but converted Ben Azzai, a "fellow student" of Akiva, to Ishmael's system, and made him deeply regret his failure to study it more closely. Ben 'Azzai then exclaimed, "Woe is me that I have not waited on Ishmael".[4] Nevertheless, in later years, probably after Ishmael's death, both Jonathan and Josiah adopted some of Akiva's principles. Of Jonathan it is expressly stated that "he followed the system of his teacher Akiva".[5]
Teachings[edit]
Together, Jonathan and Josiah devoted their analytical minds to midrash halachah, interpreting laws as they understood them from the corresponding Scriptural texts, but not suggesting them. Only one halakhah unconnected with a Scriptural text bears their names. Their argumentations are mostly embodied in the Mekhilta (about thirty) and in the Sifre to Numbers (over forty).[6] Neither Jonathan nor Josiah appears in Rebbi's compilation of the Mishnah, with the exception of a single teaching, in the name of Jonathan[7] Of other ancient compilations, the Tosefta cites these scholars once,[8] while the Sifra mentions them twice[9] by their names; once[10] "Jonathan ben Joseph" occurs; and some of R. Josiah's midrashim are cited, but anonymously.[11]
Contrary to the astrological views of his times, Jonathan taught the Scriptural idea of natural phenomena; quoting Jeremiah 10:2, he added: "Eclipses may frighten Gentiles, but they have no significance for Jews".[12] To the question as to the permissibility of profaning the Sabbath to save human life he answered, "The Law says[13] 'The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations'; but one may profane one Sabbath in order to preserve a man that he may observe many Sabbaths".[14] According to him, an am ha'aretz is one who has children and does not train them in the knowledge of the Law.[15] Jonathan contradicted the general opinion of earlier and contemporaneous rabbis that a ben sorer umoreh ("rebellious son"; Deuteronomy 21:18-21) never was and never will be executed, and that the ir nidachat never did and never will occur; he declared that he himself had sat on the grave of an executed rebellious son and had seen a ruined ir nidachat.[16]
Quotes[edit]
Jonathan was the author of many aphorisms, among them:
- He that observes the Torah in poverty shall in the end observe it in wealth; and he that neglects the Torah in wealth shall in the end neglect it in poverty.[17]
- The angry man is controlled by many and variegated manifestations of hell.[18]
- Consoling the mourner, visiting the sick, and practical beneficence bring heavenly grace into the world.[19]
References[edit]
- ^ Compare Mekhilta Yitro Baḥodesh 10, with Sifre, Deuteronomy 32; Mekhilta Ki Tissa 1, with Yoma 85b; Tosef., Niddah, 2:2, Ket. 60b, and Yer. Soṭah 7 19c
- ^ Sifre, Deuteronomy 80
- ^ Men. 57b
- ^ Hullin 70b et seq.
- ^ Jerusalem Talmud Ma'as. 5 51d
- ^ See D. Hoffmann, Zur Einleitung in die Halachischen Midraschim, p. 38
- ^ See "Quotes", infra
- ^ Tosefta Shevuot 1:7; the text has "Nathan," but the context shows unmistakably that "Jonathan" is meant
- ^ Sifra, Ḳedoshim, 9:5,11
- ^ Sifra Behar 1:9; compare Ket. 60b
- ^ Compare Sifra Vayikra Hovah 20:8, with B. M. 54a; Sifra Aharei 4:9, with Yoma 57b
- ^ Mekhilta Bo 1; compare Yalkut Shimoni Exodus 188
- ^ Exodus 31:16
- ^ Mekhilta, Ki Tissa; compare Yoma 85b
- ^ Sotah 22a; compare Berachot 47b
- ^ Sanh. 71a
- ^ Pirkei Avot 4:9; cf. Abot de-Rabbi Nathan 30:1 [ed. S. Schechter, pp. 41b, 45a].
- ^ Nedarim 22a
- ^ Ab. R. N. 30:1
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Solomon Schechter; S. Mendelsohn (1901–1906). "Rabbi Jonathan". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.