Uncovering the Mystery of Choni HaMa'agal's Fate

We're all familiar with the renowned story of Choni HaMa'agal.

Israel was experiencing a severe and dreadful drought. Witnessing this, Choni HaMa'agal drew a circle, stood inside it, and declared that he would not move until rain fell. His prayer was answered, and indeed, rain came—rain of blessing. Shimon ben Shetach wrote to him: "If you were not Choni, I would pronounce excommunication upon you for your intimate pleading with Hashem like a child with a parent."

Up to this point, the story is well-known.

In an addition to the Megillat Ta'anit, the 20th of Adar is mentioned as a festive day commemorating the miracle performed by Choni HaMa'agal, who brought down rain after a drought through his prayer.

But was Choni HaMa'agal murdered? By whom and when?

The Jewish historian, Yosephus, who lived during the time of the Second Temple, describes the civil war between the Hasmonean brothers, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus (sons of King Jannai, brother-in-law to Shimon ben Shetach). He writes: "A righteous man beloved by God, named Choni, once prayed to God during a drought and rain came in response. This Choni hid when the turmoil raged on. Brought to the camp of the Jews, they demanded that, just as he prayed to stop the drought, he pray against Aristobulus and his rebelling followers.

When he resisted and refused, the crowd compelled him. He stood among them and said: 'Our God, King of the Universe, since these people standing with me are Your people, and those besieged are Your priests, I implore You not to listen to or fulfill what one side requests against the other.' Upon this prayer, the wicked ones among the Jews surrounded him and killed him by stoning. Immediately, Hashem avenged his murder by sending a great and powerful storm that destroyed the land's harvest" (Antiquities of the Jews XIV, 2).

According to this fascinating story, the followers of Hyrcanus saw Choni's prayers were effective in Heaven and tried to force him to curse Aristobulus's men. When Choni refused, they killed him.

However, the Talmud tells us that Choni HaMa'agal fell asleep for seventy years, eventually returning to the study hall where he recognized no one, prayed for mercy, and passed away.

How can these accounts coexist?

The MaHarsha in tractate Ta'anit poses this very question and answers: Hyrcanus's followers wanted to kill him, but Choni suddenly disappeared. It was then that the miracle of him falling asleep in a cave occurred, saving him from their malicious intent. When everyone saw Choni had vanished, they concluded he had indeed been murdered, thus the historical records state Choni was killed.

The tomb of Choni HaMa'agal is located near Hatzor HaGlilit, with a spring nearby named Ein Choni.

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