Jesus Is Jonah

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“But he answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”

-Matthew 12:39-41

““And thus, it is said that the two Messiahs are already revealed on Earth: Messiah ben Yosef and Messiah ben David. This is the statement of the Tanna from the house of Elijah: “The boy I revived is the Messiah ben Ephraim.” I hinted to the world that I [Elijah] would come first, and afterward, He [Messiah ben Yosef] will come. This explains the sages’ teaching that Jonah said to the Leviathan, “I will divide you among the righteous in the future.” Why should this division occur by his hand and not another’s? It is because Jonah is the boy whom Elijah revived, and he is Messiah ben Ephraim, who has already been revealed on Earth. Similarly, Messiah ben David was revealed during the time of destruction [of the Second Temple], as the sages say in the Midrash of Lamentations, that he was born during the destruction, and after a while, he was concealed. This is why it says, “He was revealed on Earth.””

-Alshich HaKadosh, Shoshanat HaAmakim on Song of Songs
2:10

Yeshua likens himself uniquely to the Prophet Jonah (“no sign… except…”), and the Jewish Sages say that Jonah is the Messiah son of Joseph (or, ‘Ephraim’). Yeshua was ‘the son of Joseph’ and the Gematria of, ‘Messiah son of Ephraim,’ is exactly, ‘Yeshua of Nazareth’ (741). Just as Jonah was revived from the dead by Elijah and miraculously survived three days in the belly of the fish, Yeshua was revived from the dead on the third day and ascended to Heaven alive “during the time of the destruction” of the Second Temple.

Rabbi Moshe David Valle explicitly writes that Yeshu was “worthy to be Moshiach ben Yosef” and “was certainly the secret of Moshiach ben Yosef” (Sefer Likutim 1:83, 242).

What other connections do we see between Yeshu and Jonah, both being Moshiach ben Yosef of their generations?

Messiah From Zevulun

“Rebbi Joḥanan came and preached, Jonah ben Amittai was from the tribe of Zevulun,“

-Jerusalem Talmud Sukkah 5:1:3

Even though Yeshua was from the Tribe of Yehuda, being a direct descendant of King David and born in Bethlehem, he came from and is named after a town in the tribal territory of Zevulun in the Galilee (Nazareth). This is in fulfillment of what the Holy Zohar said about the Messiah being revealed first in the same place where the Ten Tribes were first exiled, which was precisely the territory of Zevulun. Matthew also quotes this prophecy,

“Rabbi Shmuel Bar Nachman says: The tribes of Zevulun and Naftali were exiled first, as it is written (Isaiah 8:23) “The first one brought abasement to the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali…”“

-Eikhah Rabbah, Petichta

“100. And HE EXPLAINS: “For fear of Hashem,” is the trembling of the whole world, “and for the glory of His majesty” is Messiah. ” When He arises to shake the earth terribly..” refers to when Messiah will arise and be revealed in the land of Galilee, because this was the first place in the Holy Land that was destroyed BY Ashur. Therefore, he will be revealed there before any other place, and from there he will stir wars all over the world.”

-Holy Zohar, Shemot 100

Rather than bringing peace to the world, the Holy Zohar says that the Messiah “will stir wars all over the world” from the Galilee. This is what Rabbi Moshe David Valle quotes Yeshu as saying, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). The Gematria of, “the sword of the L-rd is full with blood,” is exactly, ‘Yeshua’ (386).

“The sword of the L-rd is full with blood” (Isaiah 34:6)… Be aware that this ‘sword’ refers to the Moshiach ben Yosef and his supernal roots, regarding which it states, “Who is this that comes from Edom” (ibid. 63:1).”

-Ramchal, Maamar HaGeulah, 1:61

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.””

-Matthew 2:23

Even though the Prophets don’t say that the Messiah will be from the town of Nazareth per se, there was a prophetic expectation that the Messiah would come from the Galilee (especially Zevulun, as Messiah son of Joseph like Jonah) and the Messiah is called a, “Netzer” (“branch,” Isaiah 11:1), the same root and letters as, ‘Natzeret’ (Nazareth).

Gentile Messiah

Jonah, as Messiah son of Joseph, was sent not only to save a Gentile nation, but to the largest empire and foe of the Israelite nation at that time who would immediately cause the exile of the Kingdom of Israel. Some of the Sages mark the terrible irony that at the same time that Israel would not listen to the Prophets that G-d sent to them prior to their exile, the Gentile Empire of Assyria immediately repented at the prophecy of Jonah. From Jonah, we learn that the Messiah son of Joseph has a successful role especially for the Gentiles (much like Joseph becoming ruler and savior of Egypt). In fact, Rabbi Eybeschutz wrote that the Messiah son of Joseph is only for the Gentiles.

“It seems that, as stated in the Zohar, Mashiach ben David (the Messiah from the house of David) will reign only over the Jewish people and will sit on the throne of Hashem. However, Mashiach ben Yosef will not rule over Israel at all but rather over the nations of the world. “

-Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz, Ahavat Yehonatan, Haftarah of Vaetchanan 2

Tarsus-Joppa

An amazing parallel between the stories of Yeshua and Jonah is that Jonah went through Joppa on his way to Tarshish, before going to Nineveh, the capital of the enemy’s empire.

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the L-RD; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish, from the presence of the L-RD.”

-Jonah 1:3

“He said to the (sailors), We will embark with you. They replied to him, Behold, we are going to the islands of the sea, to Tarshish. * Ibn Ezra on Jonah 1:3 tells us on the authority of Sa’adiah that Tarshish is Tarsus…”

-Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 10:2
Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, trans. and annotated by Rabbi Gerald Friedlander, London, 1916

Where do we see Joppa and Tarshish in the story of Yeshua? In the same chapter of Acts, Shaul (Paul) is associated with Tarshish and Shimon (Peter) (who is a sailor called, “the son of Jonah”) is associated with Joppa. Both Shimon and Shaul carried the message of Yeshua from Israel to the capital city of their enemy’s empire (like Nineveh), Rome, through the route of Joppa and Tarshish. This also happened prior to the exile of the Jewish people from their Land, at the hands of the same Romans. According to Rashi and Yehuda HeChasid, Shimon and Shaul were righteous Jews who worked for the benefit of the Jewish people (On Avoda Zara 10a). Now we can understand why Joseph wanted to keep Shimon (Peter) for himself first and then Benjamin (Shaul).

“So the L-rd said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Yehuda for one called Shaul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying… When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus… And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the L-rd. So it was that he [Peter] stayed many days in Joppa with Shimon, a tanner.”

-Acts 9:11, 30, 42-43

Another amazing parallel we see is that Jonah’s ship was almost capsized by a sea storm on his way to Nineveh. Likewise, Shaul’s ship was almost capsized by a sea storm on his way to Rome and this happened right after Yom Kippur, the traditional time that the Book of Jonah is read in the synagogue.

“Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast [of Yom Kippur] was already over, Paul advised them, saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.””

-Acts 27:9-10

Jonah, Yeshu, & Shaul

Where else do we see Shaul in the story of Jonah? Just like Yeshu and Shaul, Jonah was considered by his fellow Israelites to be a “madman” and a false prophet…

“(5) They would call him a false prophet.
Perhaps this can be supported from that which is written (II Kings 9) about one of the sons of the prophets who anointed Yehu, who was Yonah ben Amittai, as Rashi and Radak explain — and this is from Seder Olam Rabbah, chapter 19. And it appears that this is derived from what is written (there, chapter 6): “And the sons of the prophets said…” and later, “And it was that one of them was felling the beam”.

And the author of Me’or Einayim wrote in Bereishit Rabbah, chapter 21, in the name of Ot Emet, that it was Yonah. And it was written in Dan Yadin that this is so by gematria (or one could say that the intention of the Midrash there was that the one referred to in “Behold, the one…” — this is Yonah — is referring to “the one” here [i.e., II Kings 9] when he went to anoint Yehu).

And in the Likutei commentary it is explained that this hinted to Yonah, that he would fall into the water and then return and rise up from the water. And this is what is said there: “He caused the beam to fall, and the iron fell into the water” — for it should have said “and the iron fell into the water”, but instead it says “the iron fell” [נפל] — in order to hint by the word “fell into the water” that the one who made the beam fall — namely Yonah — he himself later fell into the water.

And this was the hint now in the matter of the iron. And perhaps at that very moment, an accusation (kategor) arose against him, and he himself ought to have fallen at that time, and instead the iron fell in his place.

Or perhaps, in truth, all of them — the wood, the iron, and Yonah — fell into the water, only that Yonah rose up, and the wood floated on the water, as is its natural tendency, and the iron sank.

And it is written there (II Kings 9:11) that Yehu was asked: “Why did this madman come to you?” And he said: “You know the man and his talk.” That is to say, that there is nothing of substance to his words — that he prophesied, but his words did not stand, and behold, he is a false prophet.

And one can also say concerning what is written afterward: “And they said: ‘Falsehood! Tell us now!’” — that the phrase “And they said: ‘Falsehood!’” is separated by a cantillation pause from “Tell us now!”, and it should be interpreted as a response to “You know the man and his talk” — that they replied: “We know that he is a man of falsehood,” but nevertheless, “tell us now.”

And corresponding to this, that they would call him a false prophet, perhaps this is why Scripture called him by the name of his father — “Ben Amittai [son of truth]” — and placed next to it the title “the prophet”, in order to derive that he was a true prophet.

And see above in Parashat Lech Lecha what I wrote, with the help of Heaven, as another hint to this.”

-Rabbi David Luria, Beur HaRadal on Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 10:5

“And each and every klipah (shell) has its own unique name, as is arranged in the book Keter Yeshuah, composed by the same author as this work, as he writes below, as I have explained his allusion. And he wrote there that the third klipah of Kayin is called “Orev” (raven), and it is known that Hevel (Abel), the murdered one, who damaged Imma Ilaah (the Supernal Mother), as known from the Zohar, brought the klipah of the raven into the world.

And with this, he has a connection with his brother Kayin the murderer. And this is the secret of the 278 [רע״ח] klipot that were brought into the world, which the kabbalists wrote about, and which the author of Sodai Razin brings there. And it is in the secret of “Kaniti ish et YHVH” (“I have acquired a man with the LORD”) — and the one who understands will comprehend and be silent. And I hereby warn you — beware, lest you think these matters are to be taken literally, Heaven forbid.

And thus, this is what the author wrote: “death, in the secret of the third klipah from the murderer, in the grasp of the primordial murderer,” meaning: the third klipah, called “Orev” (raven) — whose gematria is 278 [רע״ח], as I explained. And the murderer is Kayin. And this is sufficient, as I explained.

Section ה.
In the grasp of the prophet the son of Amittai, in his nullification of the known, etc. — Its meaning and intended content is this:

It is known from the words of the kabbalists that the prophet Yonah ben Amittai (Jonah son of Amittai) is the one who nullifies the klipah of Kayin, who is the man hinted at in the verse “and one who pronounces the Name YHVH”, and that this is the klipah of the raven — which is the secret written by the kabbalists, and brought in the book Ot Emet, which writes concerning the verse (“and one of them cast the lot”) — that this was the son of Amittai, as it is taught in the Midrash on the verse “Behold, the man has become like one of us”, that Yonah ben Amittai is also written about: “and one cast the lot”, etc.

Behold, know that “the beam” [ha-korah, הקורה] equals the gematria 316 [שיו], and the secret of Yonah is in the mystery of the 253 holy sparks — gematria Gardeom [גרדום, i.e., scaffold], in which he threw down the beam — the secret of the klipah of “The Man” [Jesus], the klipah of “the raven.” And in this there are secrets of secrets, inner concealments of concealments, and I am not permitted to expand further because of mortal danger.

And this is what the holy author wrote: “in the grasp of the prophet the son of Amittai, in his nullification of the known”— which is the secret of “Gardeom” (gallows) and also the secret of the “etz” (tree/wood), which is the roof beam [tekhrah, תקרה], etc., in the mystery of their matching number. And it is explained as I explained — that the gematria of “the man” (האיש) and “the beam” (הקורה) is equal [also to ‘Jesus’]. And “roof” [תקרה] is the same as “the beam” [הקורה].

And why didn’t he state “the beam” clearly, and instead used the term “roof” [תקרה]? There is in this a great secret, a supernal mystery: Tekra = Shetah (שתה, 705), in the secret of “He placed all beneath His feet” [כל שתה תחת רגליו], and its secret will be explained elsewhere. Understand this.”

-Rabbi Shimshon Ostropoli, Dan YaDin on Sefer Karnayim, Maamar 3, p. 16

In this incredibly Kabbalistic work, Rabbi Shimshon Ostropoli says that Yonah (which means, ‘Dove’), as Messiah son of Joseph, nullifies death (including through his resurrection), which is symbolized by the Raven (the symbolic opposite of the Dove) and also the Cross. This is why the Bible says that Jonah was chopping down a tree, when his axe fell into the water with himself and the tree (note that he falls when he tries to destroy the symbol of the Cross and Yeshu).

Jonah falling into the water foreshadows when he was cast into the sea. Rabbi Shimshon says that the tree beam has the same Gematria of ‘Yeshu’ (Jesus, 316). Jonah and Jesus don’t sink completely, but the iron axe does.

The reason Jonah gives for wanting to retrieve the iron axe which fell is that, “it was borrowed (asked for),” but the Hebrew can be read instead as, “He [the axe] is Shaul.” We already highlighted connections between Shaul and Jonah, but perhaps this is also a reference to King Shaul, who was Messiah son of Joseph in his time preparing the way for the Kingship of David.

It seems obvious that the apostle Shaul (also from the Tribe of Benjamin) is a reincarnation and rectification of King Shaul. Whereas King Shaul persecuted King David out of jealously for his anointing, the apostle Shaul himself became persecuted for heralding the Messiahship of King David’s descendant, Yeshua.

Jonah, the wood (Yeshu), and the iron (Shaul) falling into the water would all symbolize the fall, death, and resurrection of the Messiah son of Joseph. The iron can also symbolize the nails with which the Messiah son of Joseph was nailed to the wooden Cross.

Elisha is compared to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachiah who pushed away Yeshu with both hands. The rectification is to draw Yeshu back with both hands. This is the symbolism of Elisha raising the iron (Messiah son of Joseph) out of the water, which the Sages also compare to Moses raising the bones of Joseph out of the Egyptian water and bringing them back to Israel, a precondition for Joseph’s forgiveness of them selling him to the Gentiles (just as Yeshu was sold).

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto says that the iron axe is a reference to the destruction of the Temple which occurs because of the Messiah, as the Jerusalem Talmud quotes, “(And He shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron), And the Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one [the Messiah]. (And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, And a twig (‘Netzer’) shall grow forth out of his roots.)”

What else does falling into the water represent?

“Truly many of the most important of these matters are contained in the prophecy of Isaiah ch. 53 in the verse [actually 52: 13-Trans.] “Behold, my servant shall prosper”‘, and also in the prayer of Jonah when he is in the sea, which is the selfsame matter as the Messiah in the midst of the husks [kelipos].”

-Ramchal, Kinat Hashem Tzeva-kot, MS, fo. 240r

The Messiah son of Joseph falling into water (and being swallowed by Leviathan) represents him falling into the Kelipot, which are the external forces of evil. This means that the Messiah son of Joseph is hidden within these forces and appears to be identified with them. Rabbi Moshe David Valle said that this is exactly what happened to Yeshu (Likkutim 1:83-84). Raising the Messiah son of Joseph out of the water is also taking him out of the Kelipot.

“The weeds were wrapped about my head” (Jonah 2:6). The Sages say that this referred specifically to the Leviathan’s head, but since Jonah was inside of it, this is applied to him. The word for, “wrapped,” is the same in Hebrew as, ‘bound,’ or, ‘imprisoned,’ and this has the Gematria of, ‘Yeshu’ (Jesus, 316).

“But we had mercy on him [the Messiah] when he was bound (= Yeshu = 316) in the prison house every day.“

-Yalkut Shimoni, Nach 499

The wrapping of plant material around Jonah’s head is certainly reminiscent of the wrapping of thorns around Yeshu’s head on the Cross. In the Talmud, thorns represent idolatry, such as that of Haman who was also hung on a tree. Messiah son of Joseph being ‘imprisoned’ within the Kelipah also means that he is associated with idolatry.

““Instead of the thorn”; this means instead of the wicked Haman. He is referred to as a thorn because he turned himself into an object of idol worship, as he decreed that all must prostrate themselves before him. The Gemara cites proof that the term thorn is used in connection with idol worship, as it is written: “And upon all thorns, and upon all brambles” (Isaiah 7:19), which is understood to be a reference to idol worship.”

-Talmud Bavlia, Megillah 10b:20

However, in Kabbalah, there is something called, the ‘thorn of the Yud,’ which is the part of the letter of G-d’s Name that represents the highest Sefira, Keter, which means, ‘crown.’ The ‘crown of thorns’ represents this and the fifth soul level of the Yechidah. The holiday of Yom Kippur (with five prayers) also represents this soul level and this is the same day that we read the Book of Jonah. The Gematria of ‘Kippur’ (‘atonement’) is also, ‘Yeshu’ (Jesus, 316). The Yechidah is the highest level, associated specifically with Messiah son of Joseph, which is why it is most easily mistaken for G-d Himself and turned into idolatry (R”L).

“You need to know that the Mashiach is the Yechidah, as you have heard on previous occasions, and since the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple), it is said about him: “he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).”

-Ramchal, Maamar HaGeulah, 3:17

There were also ‘crowns of thorns’ in relationship to Joseph’s rule over the Nations.

גרן האטד” THE THRESHING FLOOR OF ATAD — It was so called because it was surrounded by a hedge of (אטדין) thorns (not because thorns were threshed there) Our Rabbis explained that it was so called in consequence of an incident that occurred there — that all the kings of Canaan and the princes of Ishmael came to wage war against them, but as soon as they saw Joseph’s crown hanging over Jacob’s coffin they all rose and hung their crowns on it and thus wreathed it with crowns like a threshing floor that is surrounded with a hedge of thorns (Sotah 13a).”

-Rashi on Genesis 50:10:1

Messiah As Dove

As mentioned, the name, ‘Jonah,’ means, ‘Dove.’ The first time that the word, ‘Dove,’ appears in the Bible is in the story of Noah and the Flood.

“Just like the Holy One, blessed be He, sent out the dove, AS NOAH IS OF THE ASPECT OF YESOD, but she did not find a place to rest, AS IT IS WRITTEN, “BUT THE DOVE FOUND NO REST” (BERESHEET 8:9), so did he send for you, Faithful Shepherd first.

It is written of them, “And he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no man” (Shemot 2:12), WHICH MEANS HE SAW they were all guilty and there was no man among them who had the merit to get out of exile. For that reason, you refused to go there but said, “Send, I pray You, by the hand of him whom You will send” (Shemot 4:13). Yet NOW you are like at that time OF THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT. In you it shall be fulfilled together with Yisrael, “As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt I will show him marvelous things” (Michah 7:15). During the last exile He will send with you two Messiahs, MESSIAH, SON OF JOSEPH, AND MESSIAH, SON OF DAVID, who correspond to the two wings of the dove, WHO IS THE SHECHINAH, because you are in the fourth exile like a body without wings. Moreover, at first Yisrael was like a body, and you and Aaron like the two wings of the dove, with which Yisrael flew OUT OF EXILE.”

-Holy Zohar, Ki Tetze, 8:55-56

“The first dove that Noah sent out and came back with nothing, that is Jesus. He came into the world and tried, but did not get the job done at that time. The second dove that brings back olive branch, that is the Messiah who gets the job done…”

-Rabbi Moshe David Valle, I Sette Giorni della Verità, circa 1722 CE

Ramdav says that the first Dove was Yeshu, who the Holy Zohar says is the Messiah, the Faithful Shepherd who joins the two Messiahs together like his two wings in the Final Redemption. Even though he seems to say that there are two doves, the Scripture makes it clear that there are actually two ‘comings’ of the same dove.

Dove & Angel

There is a similarity to the language of the story of Noah’s Dove and the story of the angel that appeared to Samson’s mother.

In the story, it says that the angel appeared to Samson’s mother the first time, but not also to his father Manoach until the second time. Likewise, the first time that Noah sent the Dove, it did not find “Manoach” (“a resting place”), but it flew over the waters which covered the earth. This is similar to what we are told about the Spirit of the L-rd “hovering” like a bird over the waters in Creation. The Sages say that this was the Spirit of the Messiah. Now we can understand why the Spirit of the L-rd descended upon Yeshua in the form of a Dove (‘Jonah’).

The second time that the Dove was sent, the Hebrew uses the word, ‘Yosef’ (‘Joseph’). It says that the Dove brought back an olive-leaf that was “torn.” The Sages say that this same expression is used about Joseph being “torn” (Genesis 37:33). The word, ‘Messiah,’ means, ‘anointed,’ specifically with olive oil. If the Dove also represents the Spirit of the Messiah, then this time that the Dove was sent, it was as the Messiah son of Joseph, who the Sages said would be killed. We already established that Yonah (‘Dove’) was Messiah son of Joseph, in his generation. The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh wrote that the one bird out of two which is killed in the leper’s purification ritual symbolizes the Messiah son of Joseph.

The second time that the angel of the L-rd appears to Manoach’s wife, it says that he “ascended in the flame of the altar [sacrifice of the kid goat].” If we say that this appearance corresponds to Messiah son of Joseph, then this symbolizes his sacrificial death and consequent ascension to Heaven. The Holy Zohar says that the Messiah ascended alive to a place in Heaven called, ‘the Bird’s Nest.’

Not only did Yeshua ascend from the Mount of Olives, but likely he was crucified and buried there as well. The Sages say that the olive-leaf came from the Mount of Olives, but the Flood did not actually touch the Holy Land of Israel. If so, then how did Noah know that this was a sign that the Flood waters had subsided? Perhaps Noah understood this symbolism of the sacrificial atonement of the righteous Messiah as a sign for the subsiding waters of judgement.

In the story, this “angel” is also called both, “a man,” and, “god” (e-lokim). This parallels what Yeshu has been called. Not only that, but the angel is called, ‘Ha-Ish’ (“the man”), which is the Gematria of ‘Yeshu’ (316). After the angel ascended, it says that the “spirit of the L-rd” moved in Samson. Likewise, after the ascension of Yeshua, the Spirit of the L-rd was given on Shavuot (Pentecost).

When Noah sends the Dove out the last time, it says that the Dove “did not continue anymore” to return. The same Hebrew phrase is used about the angel after he ascends from Samson’s parents. This phrase, “lo Yasaf,” can also be read as, “not Joseph.” This means that in the angel and Dove’s previous coming, it was as (Messiah son of) Joseph, but in the final coming, it is not as (Messiah son of) Joseph only, implying rather that it is as Messiah son of David (or both together).

So when on the Hebrew calendar was the Dove’s final coming? The Sages say that this was on Rosh HaShanah (Genesis 8:13). Amazingly, this is the most likely time given for the final coming of Yeshua.

The New Testament says that Yeshua will descend “with the voice of an archangel, the Shofar of G-d,” and that “no one knows the day or the hour.” Of all the Biblical festivals, this can only be said about Rosh HaShanah, which is the only occurring on the New Moon. “No one knows the day or the hour” of the New Moon until the moon is sighted by witnesses and the new month is declared by the Sanhedrin. This is why, on the fixed Jewish calendar, Rosh HaShanah is kept for two days, even in the Land of Israel.

“Therefore, to nullify the accusation of the one hundred cries, we blow one hundred shofar sounds [on Rosh HaShanah], to arouse divine supervision from the “windows” — corresponding to the windows of the accusers, as is written in the Zohar (Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun 6): “He watches through the windows” — about which it is said: “Appease, please, the face of G-d,” etc.

And this is also the matter of Yeshua, the Minister of the Interior (sar ha-panim), who is mentioned in the Yehi Ratzon (prayer) between the blasts.

It is hinted at in the verse: “Hope in G-d, for I will yet praise Him, the salvation (yeshuot) of my face” (Isaiah 23), and “In all their affliction, He was afflicted, and the angel of His face saved them.”

And in the Zohar (Parashat Vayera 121a): “And he lifted his eyes and saw — behold, a ram,” etc. — and “the angel of His face saved them” — this is the Shekhinah.

And it is known that the ram alludes to the verse: “And it shall be on that day, a great shofar shall be blown,” etc.”

-The Radzyner Rebbe, Sod Yesharim, Rosh Hashanah 95

The Talmud says that the Messiah will come, “Today.” ‘Today’ is also a reference to Rosh HaShanah, the first day of the new year which represents every day of the year. Rosh HaShanah is Judgement Day and it is written that the Messiah will judge the world in his coming.

“Messiah son of Joseph comes from the earth and the Messiah son of David comes from Heaven.”

-Kol HaTor 1:2

The Spring feasts (Passover, Pentecost) which correspond to the harvest of the grasses (barley and wheat) which spring and are cut from the earth below (being killed in the process), correspond to the Messiah’s birth, death, and ascension as Messiah son of Joseph. Whereas the Fall feasts (Rosh HaShanah, etc.), which corresponds to the harvest of fruits which fall from trees above (figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, and dates) and the prayer for rain, also corresponds to the Messiah son of David’s descent with the clouds.

“And the children of Zion, cry out and rejoice in the word of the L-rd your G-d,
for He has returned to you your benefactor in righteousness [= ‘Yeshu of Nazareth’ = 671], and He causes the early rain to come down for you in its time,
and the late rain in the month of Nisan.”

-Targum Jonathan on Joel 2:23

Son of A Fish

Messiah son of Joseph is named after Joseph because their lives and mission parallel in many ways. If Shaul, Jonah, and Yeshu all fulfilled the role of Messiah son of Joseph in their generations, then who else fulfilled this role?

Joshua Bin Nun is said to have been Messiah son of Joseph, since he was a descendant of Joseph who also fulfilled this role. He is the only one besides Joseph who is said to have the spirit of G-d (the spirit of the Messiah) “within him.” He’s also described as being “filled with the spirit of wisdom,” which is exactly the Gematria of ‘Messiah’ (358). Like Shaul, he fights the Gentile enemies of Israel (e.g. Amalekites) and prepares the way for the Kingdom of David. Like Joseph and Jonah, Yeshu subjects the Gentiles without even using a weapon.

There’s an amazing Midrash which explains why Joshua Bin Nun is uniquely called, ‘Bin,’ and not the usual, ‘Ben’ (‘son of’). The Midrash explains that Joshua’s righteous father didn’t want him when he was born, even though his birth was miraculous, so they placed him in an ark like Moses in the Nile. A great fish came and swallowed the baby Joshua and when Pharaoh cut open the fish as part of his feast, they found a baby inside. This is why they called him, ‘Bin Nun,’ which means, ‘the son of a fish.’ The connection here to Jonah is obvious, in addition to the miraculous, ‘fatherless’ birth of Yeshua.

Like Yeshua has been accused for not having physical children, Joshua was also accused by the Ten Spies for not having children. Joshua passed through the Jordan and Yeshua was immersed in the Jordan, when the spirit as a dove (‘Jonah’) descended upon him. Joshua is accused in the Talmud for not having banished idolatry completely from Israel (which is why he is called once, “Yeshua,” not, “Yehoshua”). Similarly, Yeshua became unjustly associated with idolatry like Joseph, even though it had already been banished from Israel in the time of Ezra.

Sanhedrin 98b is one of the most famous sections in the whole Talmud which describes the Messiah, his coming, and his numerous names. In the midst of these descriptions, we find a curious passage,

“Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi explains: He was afraid lest sin on his part cause that assurance to be abrogated, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “Until Your people pass over, Lord, until Your people, whom You have acquired, pass over” (Exodus 15:16). “Until Your people pass over, Lord”; this is a reference to the first coming [into the land, led by Joshua]. “Until Your people, whom You have acquired, pass over”; this is a reference to the second coming [into the land, when they returned to Zion from Babylonia].”

-Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 98b:6

Incredibly, the leaders of each the ‘first coming’ and the ‘second coming’ were both named, ‘Yeshua.’ The first Yeshua was the son of Nun who led the Israelites in their return and reconquest of the Land of Israel. The second Yeshua was the High Priest and son of Yehotzadak who rebuilt the Temple. This is the same Yeshua who stood accused by Satan and had his ‘garments of excrement’ removed (Zechariah 3).

In Kabbalah, it is said that Messiah Ben Joseph will fight the wars of G-d and that Messiah Ben David will bring peace to the world and rebuild the House of G-d. In the ‘first coming,’ Yeshua, the ‘son of Joseph,’ fought wars of conquest, but didn’t build the House of G-d. In the ‘second coming,’ Yeshua rebuilt the Temple of G-d.

The Ramchal wrote, “Messiah son of Joseph is “a poor man who was wise”” (Maamar HaGeulah, p. 228), referencing this verse,

“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great siegeworks against it: now there was found in it a poor man who was wise, and he by his wisdom saved the city; yet no man remembered that man who was poor.”

-Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

The Gematria of, “a poor man,” is twice, “Messiah son of Joseph” (1131). The Gematria of, “a poor man who was wise,” is exactly, ‘Joshua Bin Nun’ (549). The Gematria of, “that man” is exactly, ‘Yeshu’ (316). Just as no one remembered that poor wise man, many Jews do not remember Yeshu, but actually curse him with the curse, “may his memory be erased” (R”l), proving again that he is truly the Messiah son of Joseph.

To Be Continued…