ABSTRACT
In the context of a discussion in the Palestinian Talmud (Sukkah 5:1 [55a]) about the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate Simchat Beit Hashoeva (the water drawing ceremony at the Temple) and the merriment that would ensue, we are told that Jonah the son of Amittai “was among the pilgrims… he went to Simchat Beit Hashoeva and the divine spirit rested upon him.” Before this reference to Jonah, however, the Talmud first recounts the following story: 1
A story is told about R. Levi and Yehudah b. [= the son of] Nachman who were paid two Selas for gathering the congregation before R. Yohanan. Once R. Levi entered and preached, “Jonah the son of Amittai came from the tribe of Asher, as it is written ‘Asher did not dispossess the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon’ and it is written ‘Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon.’” R. Yohanan entered and preached, “Jonah the son of Amittai came from the tribe of Zebulun, as it is written ‘The third lot emerged for the Zebulunite’ and it is written ‘from there it ran to the east, toward the sunrise to Gath Hepher, to Eth-Katzin and to Rimmon’ and it is written ‘in accordance with the promise that the Lord the God of Israel had made through his servant the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath Hepher.’” On another Sabbath said R. Levi to Yehudah b. Nachman, “take for yourself these two Selas and you go and gather the congregation before R. Yohanan.” He entered and said, “R. Yohanan spoke well: His mother was from Asher and his father from Zebulun.” 2
