Sefer Yona | Rabbi Shai Finkelstein | September 30th 2025

Okay. Hello everyone. Uh first I would like to uh dedicate this sh um to where is it? >> Yeah. To me and Sylvia David by their families. Okay. So today we're going to do okay. oral Torah and uh one of the questions that I'm sure all of you ask yourself and I'm sure you also heard the sh here or there about why to read ya seafar on yip. So obviously there are many answers such as what did you hear during the years? What kind of reasons? >> Repentance from uh when when Yoda went and and they repented and so the idea of repentance for us. >> Okay. So one let's go one by one. Okay. We will we'll have fun. So let's go one by one. So the first reason was that uh the idea of chuva and who did chuva >> the nine people right the nine people are not Jews right so we need to learn from them that what >> Jews don't need to do >> so sure we should learn from them that we should do chuva right so we can't we couldn't find one example of Jews doing chuva and that they can inspire us. >> We just kept making the mistake over again. >> There is chuva after okay we could find there a good reason to a good proof for chuva. It sounds a little strange that >> the what everyone is import Everyone counts not just >> okay that's wonderful but why on Rosha Shana which has more of a universal component I could understand it but on Yonipur which we really ask for atonement for us it's a little strange that you bring a story from quote unquote the outside from someone else who did who did chuva besides the fact that we know that Yona didn't want him to make chuva because it will be what a kug against us which is so we are going back to the first question that reason might be there but there is a bit of a problem okay what else >> to show y was very into good and bad both and em was important and to show that in the world so he wanted to shower that we should it's more for you all know who is representing us not >> okay so the lesson might be a lesson for which means even though that by the the true essence of judgment we shouldn't get anyh any no atonement and no forgiveness because why would Hashem give us forgiveness if we did something against him so it comes to teach you that there is really by the way ya does not say the word emmet But not okay because in a way and are mutually exclusive to some extent because based on the emit the truth you shouldn't get forgiveness like that. Okay. Especially if you did it six times. Okay. Okay. Very good. What else? >> One second. >> I don't know if anybody said this. It just hit me now that Yona was the one who revived. So on it's almost like on we're new people. We are resurrected. We are starting. >> Okay. So that this this interpretation is based really on the Malim and Malim the Malim and the and the Aluchimi. uh they speak about the fact that what that Ya was the child that Eli Yao resurrected and the suggestion was it's all about you know new life and new beginning new chapter new opportunity wonderful you should come to my bizm before I have a different take on it but uh okay but I'm not going to say today so we're going to have something else yes isn't the what comes after that Vinnie which means God forgave us, forgave them whatever he regretted the evil >> shows already there. >> Okay. So we spoke about just to complement that. Okay. We have the idea of >> say the concept you can't hide from God. So all your actions which you need to do true power for you can't just ignore them and say well God doesn't see them because God se >> okay and and for that we need to have Yona trying to flee from his mission we we couldn't have enough from the says right and Davidid was before you now so it's it's a little strange we will talk about that too yes >> we had on this subject and said You have to you have to appreciate the last chapter of your it's not nec if you think about it it's not necessary he went they and accepted so about the and that's the point of >> so I didn't understand yet so so why do we read you know >> the point the point being that um it's not so much that hashem will receive The question is that fact that you yourself wanted to run away from what you what were what you needed that's what the problem was. >> Ah okay. So so the idea of running away from your mission in life. Okay. Okay. >> I don't know if it was said or even here but it it involves individual choua and collective chuba. So that it's you know we have a full picture of Yona having to do chuba for what he did and then his transfer it over to the people. >> I think it's very interesting. The only point that I will have is you not did not do any cha >> well but repented on his he ran away and then he he realized that he can't run away >> because he was in a middle of like a big liatan and his stomach I mean no no you're saying something but we need to develop it where you look at your na and you ask yourself did he repent And for what he did, the fact that he came back, it was because he was forced to come back. >> But sometimes we're forced to do our >> But did he do chuba? >> And what is that fil about? >> We will read it and we will see. That's one of the mysterious filot that I ever heard or ever saw and we we'll see it in a minute. Okay. Okay. So everything any anyone else had other reasons from you know [Laughter] what is the word that mean >> so one of the suggestion was that there is no em and the other one is that because of em so that was that's how the malim also talks about okay >> I guess you could say without chuba hashem is still going to show ramen To whom? >> To us >> to But where do you see it in Yah even without chva? I don't know if it was for him or not. Really? Okay. >> Was the chv wasn't it? It wasn't a good cha. >> That's what Kazal said. Based on the narrative, they did chuva. Kazal always obviously need to find something wrong with them because they need to justify us. But no based on the narrative they did chuba. Okay. So how would I think a good listener I hope. Um let's uh let's learn it. And by the way every year I can see you n a different perspective. Mash it's a it's a wonderful book only for pim. Even if you're a little tired during ma and looking for na and you know what are you going to eat after it's still it's very interesting. So I don't know. I thought before you go into all the you know fleeing from Hashem and whatever. One of the things that obviously caught my mind was goralot lottery if you remember when he went on the boat okay and the malakim the sailor says okay what should we do and he didn't and blah blah blah this is goralot so goralot for me was the immediate association to now What is goral? What is the idea of lottery? >> On one hand, the one >> chance. >> It's a chance. On one hand, you know, it's 50/50. You flip a coin, right? So, it's all random. But we use lottery in what? >> How to divide the land of Israel. So, you hadim and you had lottery. No, that's No, that's almost exor what Hashem wants and the lottery is whatever the says. So how do you >> oh God? So why do we need it? Why do we need goral if we have should say okay not whatever you get you get your lime bin you get half of your lime why do I need gorot >> what's the answer for the gorot or I'm not answering it >> when we will get there >> what >> what's the answer for why do we need goralot okay so we have goralot with dividing the land we have gorot with with comes later on. Okay. But in the what? That's a not a that's what what's the that's the so so the idea is that in a way it seems to be that the theme is that we have something that it depends on luck it's random and at the same time there is something that what it's quote unquote predetermined okay so I one option that I always suggested is that sephuna has this idea of what of really traveling between what between the I call it certainty and uncertainty. Okay. chance and predetermined and which is basically the the background and the and the and the backstage for what for our lives in terms of committing sins and trying to do chuva meaning some things are obviously predetermined but you always still have what a way out by choosing right okay so that was my always my first uh my first thing that came to mind when I read sephria but that's only. So why do I need right? If I got the point after as what's the point? So the point is if I follow that lead the last sentence in Ya is something interesting two sentences after he took the tree from him and Yona was very upset and said you had compassion or you had mercy or you were sad. on that on the tree. You didn't put any efforts to grow grow it. Yeah. It appeared and then it disappeared. And you think that I will not what have compassion on this the large city of N that they have more than what 12,000 people 120,000 What? What? What am I doing? >> You think I am not going to have compassion on them? You had compassion on something that you did not create, you didn't grow, you didn't help, anything to do. And you are like upset. You think I'm not going to be upset killing those people and the animals? Option number one. Option number two, exclamation mark. Which means if I read this sentence as an exclamation mark, not a question mark. What is the meaning? >> Of course, I'm not going to do it. Right? Don't even question. Don't even ask. I think that the right way to read it is with a question mark. You think that I will not do it? Now, do you know any other book that ends with a question? >> Not at all. Yov ends with an answer that you don't know. Not only you, me neither. Many God basically proves you of that he has no clue what's flying. So don't ask because that's that's the answer. He gives you an answer. There is no any other book like that that ends with a question. Cuz what is a question? Again, it's between what? Between the lottery and between the predetermined. So I can see a theme between the beginning of Sephroa and the end of Sephuna and in between. It's called life. Okay. It's between the question that you have the questions that you have and things that are predetermined. Okay. So this is first idea in my opinion in terms of the connection between sephona and and uh and yonipu. Now I want to focus on the okay I'm sorry you don't have it even though by the way you can go on on fire or something like that and you can get here but take a look at his eloc and you now pray to me elav what is hem elocav God. >> Okay. So, you should say, right? So, he's God. Obviously, he's God. There's no one. I mean, the Malahim are not there. The sailors are not there anymore. He's in the bottom of the of the ocean with a whale. Okay. Okay. So, what is heav? So, it seems to be that heavens to the two attributes to the compassion and to the judgment to Hashem compassion and mercy and eloc judgment. Okay. Okay. So now and he said I called out for my sorrow for my pain to Hashem which isim and he answered me from the depth of the shaol like from the depth of the depth of uh shivati I cried out you listen to my voice I'm not great in Hebrew grammar but the word means what >> he answered me already would be future it means But he already answered mega is that fah was composed while he was in which that's what the narrative says or it was after it might be after. Now what's the what's the ramification? Like what's the point of it? We'll talk about it maybe later. But first he says what? I called out to Hashem for my pain, for my sorrow. Obviously, you know, Yah didn't feel that comfortable at the bottom of that whale. What does that mean? What is the deep waters? >> The deep waters basically threw me from one place to another. Not that Hashem threw me. This they threw me into the ocean. Okay. And the it's like the bottom of the of the ocean. Basically threw me from here to there. And there's going to be like a river that circle around me. Circle. I guess it was like waves and things like that. and all your afflictions and sorrow basically pass over me. Which means I was I guess you know they threw him into the ocean until that leatan came along. Yona was pushed up and down in the water until now I didn't hear yet what >> No, I'm sorry. No, I apologize. >> No, please God save me. Okay. And I said you basically what expelled me from being in your presence from the wordin. Okay. You divorced me. That's it. We are done. This is an avi. Okay. He says what I thought because you didn't save me and because I had to what to go from one wave to another and I don't know how to surf. Okay. So I thought that what that you expelled me I will not be able to see your sanctuary. So water came up to to here and I was almost swallowed by the tum is like the >> the depth of the ocean. I don't know exactly what it means even I think it seems to be that he he found himself that it's that he's done like what do you call it um >> reads thank you meaning he's covered he's finished uh what's the English translation do you have the English translation there >> the what >> I sank to the base of the mountains >> okay meaning the like almost like create like a lock meaning I'm locked I I'm trapped and it's what and you what you brought me out from the depth of the the darkness let's say of my life again like he started when my soul And the shama was very uh well what will be the English faint >> faint >> says while my wife was ebbing away I don't know what translation >> white or white >> um so I guess that when he thought that the end is near ah I remember there is >> hashem and my prayer came to you to your sanctuary. >> The what? >> There's no atheist, >> right? What's the English translation? I'm interested to know. They who cling to empty folly will seek their own welfare. If you if you hang on to something useless, you're killing yourself. Which means basically says it's good that I remembered God because he's definitely not something in vain. So that's why I'm going to what? To be redeemed, right? I'm going to be saved. All the others who are who believe in nothing they will not be saved. Okay. I am going to what? To bring a big sacrifice. Okay. And I'm going to what with a sounds of art of thanksgiving. Whatever I took a vow I will pay. God is my savior. told spit him out. >> When is he going to do the sacrifice? >> I don't know. Maybe fifth bar. >> Very good question. >> It sounds really sincere. >> Where is Well, okay. I'll put you on hold for a second. First, he took a vow, right? Did he fulfill it? >> Not that we know of. He might. I'm not I'm not saying that he didn't. I'm saying we don't know he did. And the narrative does not even think that this is important to what to say that that's what he did. We know about you. Now what? He got a mission. He refused. He fled. He came back, did his mission, complained, complained, complained. God gave it to him. Brazil presending master. We don't know anything about him after that by the way. And we definitely don't in the narrative itself we don't see any big sacrifice that Jonah brings. Yes, >> it portrays and look he thought he could run away from a sin. So that's where he he is and so it continues on that level very basic very uh the thought that he would even look introspection is very simal where he was >> okay you know let me rephrase it are you impressed by this ding are you disappointed that kazal never took this ding as a model like no one here is surprised because this is Sorry poor ding. >> It's out of desperation. >> It's out of desperation. It's almost almost like I'm comparing myself to the others who are basically put their trust in nothing. So that's why they get nothing. But I put myself my trust in him and therefore he will save me. If you think that he can save you, how come that you think that what that you can run away from him? Also, it doesn't say that Hashem listened to his prayer or that Hashem liked his prayer. Nothing. He just say what? Hashem told the dog, "You know what? Spit him out. >> It's not spit. It's vomit." >> Vomit. Thank you. That's true. That's even >> worse. But yes, thank you. No, no, I agree. And and by the way, it's interesting not to beat him up. It's I mean I don't want to read too too much into it but I think I will because it could say to spit him out. Okay, that's it will be in Hebrew but to speak but it says >> which means in my opinion is that I don't want to say that Hashem was not was discussed with Yonah but it's it's probably part of a key meaning it comes to describe what this is the what >> it it's like >> yeah to some extent I The word leak where else it says leak you out >> the land we call it to spit you out but it's really to what vomit you meaning you will do abominations and the the the the land it's more to split you sometimes do it willingly okay you have what but is we discuss it's like you don't no one likes to so very Yes. >> Interesting that he's running away to tares because he's not going to get there. He's that area he knows he's not going to get and he falls asleep at the other in all the other has such a close connection to Hashem and he's the only one I think that you see that Yonas running away from his book. He doesn't want it. And it's just it's really mindboggling that in terms of reading it on your but you have to say that Hashem has a maturing Yona and Yona could not run away. We can't run away. >> Yes. So we mentioned the idea of running away but it's the wrong one. It seems to be like the wrong example on Kipur. Give us some words of encouragement. You know Mosha Mosha Rabenu didn't want to be Navi. Okay, read that one. But after that he did and he did a wonderful job. What kind of a job Ya did? What did he change in the world? If he would go the first time they will do Chuva and that's it and they will do you will go home. Yes, >> that's the point that you reach will give you cha not necessarily have to go all the way still >> might be might be >> the what >> what happened >> we don't know >> no we don't hear anything about this guy >> why was it chosen to be read on young kipper >> that >> that's what we are stuck at so we you all gave you know different reasons I tried to say about the go a and before he score you will hear another uh suggestion uh which I think is much better than what I'm telling you today. Um >> so you're depriving us. >> I'm sorry. You see I said I'm sorry. Um >> yeah but if you look let's go back to the to that. Okay. So what is missing in that? passion >> passion for sure nothing >> there's no cha but you know maybe is not cha but nothing of the you know you god is this I'm asking you for like like the structure of of that we have >> I don't believe for that that is wrong is in protection of Israel and and the optimis reflects on >> that's wonderful but what I try to do is two things a not to go to midashim now we just read >> yeah but it's not because they did chuva >> yeah but that's not because they did chuva that midrash is based on that that's why you didn't want that to be successful and by the way if he is such a a a loving Jew to for Israel why would he go the second time if he knows that that what will doesn't have a choice. >> You always have a choice. You always have a choice. >> Did I miss it? I did not answer the question of when this took place. It said, you know, >> I didn't answer that yet. >> I'm not sure. We'll see. Now, I will get all your attention to your night during Mina. We'll see each one of you like reading between the lines, right? By the way, I will highly encourage to go over Yona and with the meshim just to see what's going on there. There is so there is really there is a tremendous amount. Okay. So after the the fish the whale okay vomits you know I really like this of So go to the big city and call to it this uh announcements this calling that I tell you right now you don't have it I don't know maybe you have it in front of you maybe not the first time around Hashem says to you until Now because their evildoing came up to me. That's the first mission. In the second mission there are two changes. A there is no mention of what of their evil doings. And also he just says to Yona what you will tell them what I >> told you. Okay. Or what I told you >> now present >> which means it might changed. Right. Okay. Now it's interesting because the first mission because their evil doings comes came up to me association. What other story in Torah? You have a very similar notion of right. So it's interesting and that might be the second option besides everything you said regarding a connection between Yonipur and Yuna. Whenam when the evildoings of came up to Hashem, what did Hashem do? >> Destroy. >> True. Before that, >> consulting with >> Okay, he went to Av and he told Abraham, "Look, I'm going to destroy his domin right start negotiating with Hashem 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 and despair after, right? Can you how can you annihilate a righteous person with an evil person? How can you do that? >> Right? >> And then Hashem proved Abraham that you know there are not too many righteous people and Abraham shavo. Did you ask yourself why would ever God will do something like that to get Abraham's opinion on his judgment? Like God needs his opinion. Like God is going to change his mind. Blam can change his mind. >> Abraham what God's justice is how God decides and >> okay very good. Maybe it's to show Abraham one time in history in a way Hashem takes the time to show Abraham how he manages the world. meaning I want you to look at the judgment. I want you to always try to guard God's ways but also to to investigate to to to try to understand me and to to to see and to understand that I'm not doing things randomly. So therefore you might not be able to understand everything but you need to know that what that will be our para. Okay. So the idea is what I'm going to do it in front of you even though I'm going to destroy them. And here is saying exactly the opposite nature is not the nature to mercy to seek justice. And God is now experience and then telling them I'm going to tell you what to say to them. I'm going to tell you how I want this. >> Okay. Good. Very good. We can add to it the following. when he heard that yona the first time he realized that what that now he's going on a mission what is the mission sorry here what does he need to tell them >> doesn't say which means it's not what Hashem tells him what but rather he needs to tell them what if I was you I need to tell them that what that their evildoing came up to Hashem and guys if you're not going to repent you are all going to be gone right now Yonah perhaps does not want to tell them that why so maybe the reason because he wants to protect Israel or maybe because of What? Maybe because what >> they may not like the message. >> Okay, that's also true. Or maybe >> he does not like the message either. Why? Because he knows he will not be able to what to change God's uh decision. Very similar to wh to >> to Abraham who was not able to change Hashem's decision. So he what? >> Why didn't he confront it like >> that confronted in terms of the punishment? Even even Bum had some type of dialogue or or I mean it and ended up you know say just say what I'm going to tell you to say but but you were aware that that was not what he wanted to say. >> That's that's true but there it was a little bit for a different task. Okay. Here it just he needs to say something to the to the people of N. I know I hope I I'm not bursting all your bubbles in terms of Fiona, but those are the questions that we need to ask like please tell them tell them what and I think that in a way bothered Yaha what should I tell them that your evil doings came up to Hashem and what and he's going to what to destroy you and then the end of the book says what you think that I'm going to what to kill everyone there to annihilate an entire city obviously I'm not going to. Okay. >> Did Did I give him a >> I don't know. It seems to me he said if he's really worried about the people. >> No, no. I said maybe that's the midrash. Just to answer her. The midrash has his own reasons, but we are not in the midrash. So the second calling was so what is the is being mentioned here in came enter the the city and he announced and he declared what that's interesting >> he says in 40 days from now is going to be what we sounds very similar to. So therefore that's the now what is missing here. >> Very good. He does not say why and he doesn't give the remedy clum. He just going to say what 40 days from now this city will be upside down. Okay. The first mission was what? Which means what was the expectation? That he should go and rebuke them. Say to them, "Guys, your evil doings, which will be A, B, C, D, and F, okay? God has enough from you." That he didn't want to do. He was willing to what? To say what? In 40 days from now, the city will be destroyed. What is the meaning of it? I don't know. >> Okay. So, he said what? >> He felt that the people were going to really approach >> maybe maybe that's why he didn't want to say that but what he said is so vague and it is so pav okay I can tell you you know in a 100 days from now there's going to be destruction somewhere Okay, you don't give a reason and you don't give the remedy. Nothing. It's very very P. However, look at that. The people of NV believed in what? In but what kind of God? In judgment. in justice. They believe in justice, not in compassion, not in mercy. Meaning they said, "Look, there is no mercy." Which means if we did something bad, we need to what to >> to fix it. And it's not based on Yonah's suggestion, not based on the narrative. I'm talking about the narrative. It might be that the Midrash says that he advised them, but based on the narrative, he just said, "What? In 40 days, I'm Nina will be destroyed." They believed in whom? Not in Yona. They believed in in Elohim that he's a god of justice and therefore if we going to change our ways he will reciprocate and the king did the same thing. Um and but by the way what do they do? So they do all the external things and at the end So they all stopped the corruption and the stealing and the thievery and all of that. So that's obviously reminds us of what the fact that they really corrupt were corrupt. So and they knew that. So that didn't take much for them to to be. And then they say maybe maybe we will be able to repent and God will regret what he wants to do to us. And that's again not and we will not be destroyed. >> Why here in that not protecting the >> perfect question. It should be Hashem, right? It should be Hashem because you're talking about what? But it might be that that's based on justice. You are upset with me. You gave me a warning. I changed my ways based on the justice. It should be what? >> You're okay. Right? things that was used for the blood that regretted. because maybe they were afraid of that. >> But it's also in always this like to regret of what I'm about to do. And then take a look is upset. He's counting the days for the destruction of and doesn't happen. Huh? I see your faces. You I hope it's not new. You know, I didn't make up the book. It's all here. Okay. Same thing. That's what I told you when I was in my land which mean therefore this is why I ran away from you. I knew it. I knew that you're going to forgive them. There is no emit. And therefore, therefore God, what >> take me? I want to die. How would you >> regret? Whatever that means to regret. Yeah. Same thing with Noah. Same thing with so why was Jonah so upset that Hashem accepted their cha and leave alone this thing with Kazal what's the point why why would he be upset that Hashem did not destroy that's by the way exactly against Abraham Abraham was upset that what that so number one were destroyed is upset that they were not ma as they say in Hebrew was I know some things I base my life on doesn't exist and >> I will do exactly the opposite. Ya says the exactly what I predicted happened. So that's why I hate life. >> No because you can't have to him. You can't have rock coming. It's not it's too >> it didn't sound like that when he was at the bottom of the whale. the people are praying for justice and are they understanding that actually justice that God will you have that you have different people and there are no longer and that Mhm. >> Um yes. Meaning we sometimes view chuva only as midat and correct me if I misunderstood. We can see chuva asim right. But maybe we should also look at chuba that this is also which means yes definitely there is a component of but based on the god created in this world when you do chuva by this is the just thing to do is what is to forgive you >> that's the combination >> but then the problem is yah >> yeah but when ya dven It happens to only not >> he knows that he knows that he >> Okay. I hope I confused you. >> Yes. >> I think he sees himself as a failure. >> Yes. >> Where can he go now? >> What he said and what he prophesies didn't happen. >> He can't go home. He can't go to NA. She's a miserable character. Um, that's a good idea about what's going on with Jonah after that. But, um, [Music] >> there is we don't have another hour or hours. But, it's interesting after he said what >> condensed version >> after he says um, please God take my life. So Hashem says to you are really angry. Good. Good for you. And and this is the conversation. It's very weird conversation between a prophet and and God. So he left the city. So he sat where? In the east. So he made a little set under the shade. Until what? Until he will see what's going on in the city. What do you mean what's going on in the city? We just >> found that he can watch it be destroyed. >> But it's not going to be destroyed. >> What's going to happen next? >> What kind? What will the city bring us? >> Mhm. >> It's not such a great prophet. He doesn't know what's going to happen. >> Mhm. >> There's one thing that's always been bothering me. You got to answer this. Every year it was he built a suka and he had shade. Why did need to bring the key justice as he understands the capacity to actually let the people do that? Will it sustain itself? And is that Okay, that's where he omitted the word emit. There is no emit in this process especially knowing that what the people will do it again and again and again >> the what >> you told this one thing when you've been doing >> sure that's true that's kazal says nar the narrative itself does not say that now so one thing I will just say and I will end with that even though that's not exactly the point I wanted to end with but it says what is the association Abraham >> observed >> who was before >> Canadian >> it can be many things now first mikadm is the east so that's why it also was so sunny okay but the word kadm always comes with mikdal is many times likes to say what means God meaning to remove yourself from Hashem to some extent. So >> what are the connections between Ya and Yon Kipur? many and many of them are confusing ones and that's okay. I didn't come here to give you a a full uh theory. I have few but not for today but really to try to encourage you to rethink what you know about Sephora. By the way, I will highly recommend don't build a theory that will fit all because if you read it carefully, you will see that what that it doesn't work. Okay. So, until next time.