Yonah: The Grand Finale?

G-d wanted to teach Yonah that in this world no one is yet at a level to fully withstand the scorching fury of pure unadulterated justice as symbolized by the mighty unrelenting rays of the sun. Everyone needs to seek a temporary shelter or refuge — evoking the image of the succah that offers shade from the sunlight

T he mysterious ending of the Book of Yonah has left many a reader perplexed. The story on the whole is well known. Having miraculously survived being cast into the depths of the sea after Hashem summoned a tempest to strike his ship Yonah was swallowed by a large fish and his prayers recited from within its belly were answered. He was returned to dry land to dutifully complete the mission of spurring the masses of the great city of Nineveh to repent.

But the story does not end there.

It reverts back to the eponymous prophet who was furious with Hashem for accepting Nineveh’s repentance — which was the reason why he had originally fled. Responding to his death wish Hashem questions Yonah about his anger. Setting up a succah to the east of the city Yonah sits in the sun’s shade to watch the city’s fate.

Later Hashem prepares the kikayon (gourd) plant to cover him. But his delight is short-lived. A worm attacks the kikayon causing it to wither. Growing faint from the rising sun and east wind once again Yonah asks to die. Hashem questions Yonah about his anger. Did he not experience a sense of compassion for the kikayon despite not having worked or grown it? But was not the kikayon a fleeting creation — a “son of night” that emerged unexpectedly but then was lost? So too questions Hashem: “Should I not likewise feel pity for the great city of Nineveh with its 120 000 inhabitants who don’t know difference between right and left and much cattle?” The Book of Yonah abruptly ends with this rhetorical question.