“This has been a lengthy discussion,” observed Theophil. “Jonah can be given diverse construction. But is the book still relevant in your own – supposedly enlightened – era?”
“I believe it is, Maestro. You see, Jonah preaches tolerance. It sneers at ‘holy cows’ (like prophets) and, by implication, at conventional wisdom.”
“But Peter’le, isn’t this notion predicated in modern literature?”
“It is – perhaps even ad nauseam. But Jonah tells us that dissenting voices were raised even in antiquity. This is important.”
“Any other point?”
“There is, Maestro. Jonah shows that the universality of God is compatible with enlightened Judaism and has been preached even before the inception of Christianiy.”
“Should modern Man appreciate this?”
“I think he should. You see, Maestro, Quohelet tells us that everything has already happened. This is a sobering thought. It is good to know that many of our liberal premises can be traced back to antiquity.”
“Well, Peter’le, does your average well-read person know this? For instance, is attention drawn to the book in modern Jewish communities?”
“Up to a point. In contemporary Jewish practice, Jonah is read publicly on Yom Kippur afternoon. The liturgy focuses on Nineveh’s repentance as a model for moral renewal, while largely setting aside the book’s deeper challenge to exclusivist theology. Modern usage highlights one layer of Jonah – repentance – while leaving its polemical stance quietly in the wings.”
“But then, Peter’le, why do worshipers fail to appreciate Jonah’s polemical nature?
“Most congregants do not understand Hebrew, Maestro, and by the time Jonah is read out, fatigue settles in. The subtleties of the text glide past them like birds over still water.”
“So, this is the position respecting Jews. How about Christianity and Islam?”
“God’s universality and the room for repentance are preached in both. Jonah is often mentioned in sermons and addresses.”
“Is there also a mention of the polemical nature of the book?”
“There isn’t. As mentioned at the outset, Jonah is generally known just as ‘the fellow swallowed by a large fish or whale’. I hope to enlighten people who read these pages.”
“I see. Well, Peter’le, you have made your point. And your arguments are sound. But it is getting late. You must be tired.”
“I am.”
“Then you better retire,” said Theophil and vanished.
All that was left to me was to step into my bedroom, get to bed and switch off the lights.