Torah Personalities
The Holy Sage of Amuka: Who Was Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel?
His life, unmatched scholarship, prophetic translations, and legendary spiritual impact
Yonatan ben Uziel was a first-generation Tanna and the greatest disciple of Hillel the Elder. He is the author of Targum Yonatan on the Prophets.
His Greatness Among the Students of Hillel
The Talmud (Sukkah) teaches: “Hillel the Elder had eighty students.
Thirty were worthy of the Divine Presence resting upon them like Moshe Rabbeinu. Thirty were worthy for the sun to stand still for them as it did for Yehoshua ben Nun. Twenty were average. The greatest of them all was Yonatan ben Uziel, and the least of them was Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai.”
The passage continues describing Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai’s immense knowledge across all areas of Torah, implying: If he was the smallest, how infinitely great must Yonatan ben Uziel have been!
His Vast Spiritual Power
The Talmud further states: “When Yonatan ben Uziel sat and studied Torah, any bird flying above him would immediately burn.”
This imagery expresses the overwhelming holiness and spiritual fire that surrounded him.
His Targum: A Translation That Reveals Hidden Depths
Yonatan ben Uziel authored a translation (Targum) of the Torah and the Prophets, based on teachings from the last prophets: Chaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
Unlike Targum Onkelos, which stays close to the plain meaning, Targum Yonatan includes deeper interpretations, hints to future events, and broader explanations.
Earth Trembles at His Revelation
The Talmud (Megillah) relates: When he completed his Targum on the Prophets, the Land of Israel shook — 400 by 400 parsa, and a heavenly voice cried: “Who has revealed My secrets to humanity?!”
Yonatan ben Uziel stood and said: “It is I. But it is known to You that I did not do this for my honor nor for my father’s honor, but for Your honor — so that disputes in Israel should not increase.”
His Attempt to Translate Ketuvim (Writings)
Yonatan ben Uziel wanted to translate Ketuvim as well, but a Heavenly voice stopped him, saying: “Enough! For the Writings contain hints about the End of Days.”
Had he translated them, the mysteries of Mashiach would have been revealed.
The Targum on the Torah Attributed to Him
There exists an Aramaic Targum on the Torah attributed to Yonatan ben Uziel. Rabbi Menachem Recanati writes that Yonatan ben Uziel composed it as well.
The grave of Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel (Photo: Flash 90)His Resting Place in Amuka
The grave of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel in Amuka (Galilee) is one of Israel’s most visited holy sites — over 1.5 million people come each year.
Tradition says:
He was either unmarried or married but childless.
Prayers at his grave are known to “open the gates of Heaven.”
Circling the grave seven times is considered a segulah for finding a good marriage match and for children.
A Legend of Prayer and Blessing
His grave is famous especially among those seeking:
a marriage partner (zivug hagun)
children
salvation in difficult times
The tradition of praying at Amuka is centuries old and remains one of the strongest folk customs in Israel.
