The
Exploitation of the Talmudic Sage Yonathan ben Uziel
'The
Myth of Praying at Amuka for a Spouse'
July
11, 2011
There
is an increasingly popular practice of Jewish people annual
traveling to the town of Amuka near Safed, Israel, to
the traditional location of the tomb of the Jewish sage,
Yonatan ben Uziel. Yonatan was a Tanna of the Mishnah
and was considered the greatest student of Hillel (died
c.10 CE). It is at this tomb where people have been going
to pray to find a spouse. Those who cannot go to Amuka,
often choose to instead pay others that offer a service
of "praying for them."
However,
an examination of the literature demonstrates conflicting
reports on the location of the actual burial location
of Yonatan ben Uziel, and the practice of praying at this
tomb seems to be a modern one-not an ancient one. Further,
in the name if this Talmudic sage, large amounts of money
are being collected, all for the promise of someone praying
at this man's alleged burial location, specifically for
those desperate for marriage.
