Jonathan Ben Uzziel

Hillel's most distinguished pupil (Suk. 28a; B. B. 134a). No halakot of his have been preserved, though a tradition makes him the author of a halakah which, if authentic, proves him to have possessed the quality of unselfishness in a marked degree. A man whose children had misconducted themselves had bequeathed to Jonathan the whole of his property. Jonathan, however, kept only one-third, giving one-third to the sanctuary, and one-third to the children of the deceased (B. B. 134a). According to another version, Jonathan's father, Uzziel, disinherited him and left his estate to Shammai, who, however, declined to receive it (Yer. Ned. v. 6). According to Meg. 3a, Jonathan wrote a targum to the Prophets to remove all impediments to the understanding of the Scriptures. It is, however, generally conceded to be doubtful whether the targum to the Prophets that has been preserved is his. He is said to have desired to translate the Ketubim also.

Bibliography:

  * Weiss, Dor, i. 177.



S. J. Z. L.