Yonasan Ben Uziel
 | |
| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| התנא יונתן בן עוזיאל | |
| Spelling: | |
| Yonason, Yonatan, Jonathan ben Uzziel | |
| Description: | |
| A Mishna-Era Rabbi and leading student of Hilel the Elder. |
Yonasan Ben Uziel was a first generation Tana and the greatest from Hillel the Elder's eighty students. He living before the destruction of the Second Temple and authored the Targum on Navi. Many singles visit his Kever in Amuka as a Segulah for finding their soulmate.
Contents |
Targum Yonason
Yonasan Ben Uziel created an Aramaic translation to Navi based on the traditions that were passed down to him from the last prophets Chagi, Zicharya and Malachi. Unlike Targum Ankelus, Targum Yonason is more then just a translation and often gives commentary on the verses. This work contains many deep Kabalistic mysteries including the methods needed to attain the level of prophesy.
When Yonasan Ben Uziel finished the Targum a massive earthquake shook Israel and Bas Kol came out and said "Who is the one that has revealed my mysteries to the humans". Yonatan Ben Uziel stood up and appeased the heavens declaring that he had not done this for his honor or the honor of his family but only to prevent future controversy amongst the Jewish nation.
Currently the Targum Yonatan is printed in most sets of Navi that include commentary, on the sides of each page.
Targum on Ketuvim
Yonasan Ben Uziel intended on creating a Targum for Ketuvim as well but was prevented by a heavenly voice that warned him against revealing its mysteries since the Ketuvim contain the secrets of the final redemption.
Targum Yonason on Torah
A Targum on the Torah that is mistakenly attributed to Yonason ben Uziel, was not authored by him and contains many style variations from his Targum on Navi. It was either created by a sage living during the era of the Geonim who was named after Yonatan ben Uziel or it is a mislabeled version of Targum Yerushalmi.
Greatness
Student of Hillel
Was the greatest from all of Hillel's eighty students of which the lowest was Rabbi Yochanan ben Zaki who knew all the mysteries of the Torah and the world.
Shammai
Yonasan Ben Uziel belonged to the group of Bais Hillel but he had interactions with Shammai. Once a certain man wished to disown his children due to their inappropriate behavior, instead bequeathing all his positions to Yonasan Ben Uziel, despite his initial refusal to accept them. Knowing that Shammai would prevent him from giving the inheritance back to the children, insisting that he follow the orders of their dead father, Yonasan Ben Uziel sold a third of the assets, donated a third to the Temple and gave the remaining third back to the children. When confronted by Shammai, Yonasan Ben Uziel responded that just like his sale and donation could not be reverted so too the gift he gave to the children. Shammai was forced to admit defeat.
Torah That Burnt Birds
When Yonasan Ben Uziel studied Torah he would attain it on the level that it was revealed on Mount Sinai. Since the Torah on Sinai was given through burning fire, any bird that flew within his four cubits would immediately get burnt by the angles that surrounded him to hear the Torah. Another manifestation of this was any untrue thought occurring as he analyzed Torah would immediately get pushed out of his mind. Additionally any Sage that disagreed with him in Halacha would immediately realize that he was incorrect, without the need for an expanded argument.
Kever Yonason ben Uziel
Yonason ben Uziel is buried in Amuka in Northern Israel. His Kever is often visited by singles searching for a merit that will lead them to their soulmate and childless couples.
Read full Zissil article on Kever Yonatan Ben Uziel
Hillulah of Yonason Ben Uziel
Each year the Hillulah of Yonason Ben Uziel falls out on Chaf Vav Sivan, the 26th of the month. Many people travel to his Kever in Amuka on this day.