Adapted from a Sicha by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, Shabbos Parshas Shoftim, 5749; Sichos Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5742, 5745
What is the most coveted honor in
shul on Yom Kippur?
Maftir Yonah, the recitation of the
Haftorah which relates the story of Yonah the Prophet, which is read in the
Minchah service. The Rebbe Rashab related that reciting this
Haftorah will bring blessings of prosperity in the coming year.
But what is the message of this Haftorah and why is Yonah singled out as the Prophet whose words are read on this holy day?
The essay which follows resolves these questions and touches on other relevant issues as it gives us insights into the unique qualities possessed by Yonah and the singular mission with which he was charged.
May "He who answered Yonah in the belly of the fish answer us" and grant our prayers for the complete recovery of the Rebbe and the coming of the Redemption. And may this be in the immediate future.
Erev Yom Kippur, 5753
The Prophet Yonah is associated with the verse,
[1] "Those who go down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters." The term "mighty waters" is an analogy for the many challenges and obstacles which our material existence presents for our souls.
[2]
There are certain people whose life task is to set forth on these mighty waters, even when -- as in the instance of Yonah’s journey -- the waters are stormy and beset with danger, for the sake of other individuals.[3] These people lead their lives, not for their own material gain, nor even for the sake of spiritual attainments, but solely for the purpose of assisting others.
There is a difficulty with this concept. The reason Yonah set out to sea was because he was fleeing from G-d’s presence.
[4] Why then is his connection with the sea considered in a favorable light?
This difficulty is compounded by the fact that Yonah was a Prophet. He was not a simple person, but one to whom G-d’s word had been directly revealed.[5] How could such an individual refrain from carrying out G-d’s command? Indeed, failing to communicate a prophecy is a severe sin, punishable by death.[6] What virtue is there in such conduct?[7]
Our Sages
[8] explain the motivation for Yonah’s flight. He knew the people of Ninveh would repent when he communicated his prophecy to them. And this was Yonah’s fear.
The repentance of the inhabitants of Ninveh would not augur well for the Jewish people. How many prophets had been sent to the Jewish people without being able to evoke a change in their conduct? What would be the reaction in the spiritual realms after the gentiles had repented as soon as they received a message from G-d, while the Jews had continued their unfavorable conduct despite receiving many such warnings? Rather than cause such repercussion, Yonah chose to flee to Tarshish.
Yonah was aware of the workings of Divine Providence and understood that G-d would use other emissaries to communicate His message. With our without his own involvement, G-d’s prophecy would reach Ninveh, and its inhabitants would repent. Yonah also knew the punishment for failing to deliver a prophecy. Despite the inevitably of the outcome, he was willing to accept such a fate, rather than be the one to create unfavorable consequences for the Jewish people.
Precisely this is the type of person who can "perform tasks in mighty waters." A person who loves every one of his fellow men and is willing to sacrifice everything, his spiritual qualities, and even his life for their sake, possesses the ability to help others reveal the virtues lying latent within them.
Within Yonah’s name is also an allusion to the message which will arouse these hidden positive qualities. Yonah is described as ben Amitai. Literally, this phrase means "son of Amitai," but figuratively, it can be interpreted as "a man[9] of truth.". By communicating the truth of our existence and spreading awareness of the inner Divine life-force that permeates all being,[10] it is possible to lift people out of their preoccupation with material concerns and enable them to focus on their purpose in life. Such insights can serve as a beacon of light that can guide all people, even those struggling within the "mighty waters" of our contemporary society, to a life of meaning, happiness, and inner peace.
Sharing in Yonah’s mission is particularly relevant in the present times, for the climate throughout the world is tempestuous, with "mighty winds" and "fierce storms"
[11] changing the face of society at an unprecedented pace. Every one of us should realize that "this great storm is because of me,"
[12] i.e., the upheavals we are witnessing throughout the world are intended to foster a realization of the imminence of the real transition that our lives will soon undergo.
For the Era of the Redemption is no longer a dream of the distant future, but a pressing reality. We are on the threshold of the Redemption, and within the process of crossing that threshold.[13] At such a time, the self-sacrifice of Yonah, and the message of truth which he communicates is increasingly necessary to allow more and more individuals to "live in the spirit of the Redemption," to experience a foretaste of the awareness we will be granted in that era in our conduct at present.[14] This in turn will serve as a catalyst to precipitate the actual coming of that the redemption. May this take place in the immediate future.
Notes:
- (Back to text) Tehillim 107:23.
- (Back to text) See Torah Or, beginning Parshas Noach.
- (Back to text) The teachings of the Baal Shem Tov as quoted in Sefer Zichronos Vol. II, 429. See Sichos Yud Shvat, 5725.
- (Back to text) Yonah 1:3.
- (Back to text) See Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, ch. 7, which describes the spiritual level a person must attain before being considered worthy of prophecy.
- (Back to text) Mishneh Torah, op. cit. 9:3. Indeed, this is the simple explanation for the storm which threatened to drown Yonah.
- (Back to text) These questions are reinforced by the fact that this portion of the narrative is read as part of the Haftorah in the afternoon service of Yom Kippur, a day when every endeavor is made to recall the merits of the Jewish people, and to divert attention from their shortcomings.
- (Back to text) Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer, ch. 10.
- (Back to text) As the Hebrew ben chorim means "a free man."
- (Back to text) As the Rambam states (Mishneh Torah, loc. cit. 1:1) "All the entities within heaven and earth... came into existence solely from the truth of His Being."
- (Back to text) C.f. Yonah 1:5.
- (Back to text) Ibid.:12.
- (Back to text) See the essay "Open Your Eyes and See" in Sound the Great Shofar (Kehot, 5752).
- (Back to text) See the essay "Confronting Our Material World" loc. cit. 5752.
