Sefer Yona
The Book of Yona is known primarily as an account of Yona’s attempt to run away from God. However, the book’s four chapters are the complexities of many relationships: Yona and Ninveh, Hashem and Ninveh, Hashem and Yona, and even Yona the man and Yona the Prophet. Using Tanach, Chazal, and classic commentators, these relationships will be explored.
Sefer Yona: Lesson 1
Five Words: Our first shiur will focus on two seemingly separate issues; why Yona ran away and what, when forced by Hashem to go Ninveh, he told the people there. (The text of the Megila records five simple words!) We will develop the issue using the meforshim on Yona, as well as by exploring the many parallel texts in Tanach which shed light on Yona’s motives and actions.
Sefer Yona: Lesson 2
A Happy Place: In last week’s shiur, we looked at two interpretations relating to Yona’s attitude towards the people of Ninveh, what he said to them, and why they believed him, and why he was reluctant to carry out his mission. This week, we will delve into his state of mind during the initial flight. What did he think he was going to accomplish and where was he going?
Sefer Yona: Lesson 3
Too Much Teshuva: In our first Shiur, we looked at Yona’s words from Yona’s perspective. Now, we will look at the same commentaries from the perspective of the people of Ninveh. How do we understand their Teshuva? Why did they react the way they did, and how did Chazal evaluate their actions?
Sefer Yona: Lesson 4
Man and Beast-Last shiur, we explored the attitude of Chazal and meforshim towards the Teshuva of Ninveh; was it rigorous, meaningful, superficial or all of the above?This shiur will explore the theme of Hashem’s relationship with the people of Ninveh. What, if anything, does He want and expect from them?