Zechariah

Biblical Figures

The prophet Zechariah, active during the post-exilic period, emphasized themes of repentance, divine mercy, and visions symbolizing the restoration and future glory of Jerusalem and the Jewish people.

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The Timely Prophecies of Zechariah

TANAKH

Zechariah's prophecies are uniquely dated and provide a rare glimpse into the post-exilic period when divine revelations were scarce. The Book of Zechariah, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets, offers a series of visions and prophecies that emphasize themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the future glory of Jerusalem.

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, this word of GOD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo:

Zechariah 1:1

Deciphering Zechariah's Prophecy

COMMENTARY

Zechariah's prophecy is enigmatic and requires future interpretation by a teacher of righteousness. Rashi provides a comprehensive commentary that clarifies complex prophetic visions, often referencing earlier interpretations.

The prophecy of Zechariah is extremely enigmatic, because it contains visions resembling a dream that requires an interpretation. We cannot ascertain the truth of its interpretation until the teacher of righteousness comes. Nonetheless, I will put my heart to reconciling the verses, one by one, according to the interpretations that resemble it and following the interpretation of Jonathan.

Rashi on Zechariah 1:1:1

The Humble King on a Donkey

TANAKH

A central prophecy speaks of a humble and righteous king riding on a donkey. The Book of Zechariah, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets, contains this prophecy, which is often interpreted as referring to the Messiah.

Rejoice greatly, Fair Zion;
Raise a shout, Fair Jerusalem!
Lo, your king is coming to you.
He is victorious, triumphant,
Yet humble, riding on a donkey,
On a jackass foaled by a jenny.

Zechariah 9:9

The Divine Construction of the Temple

COMMENTARY

The imagery of the tree and the candelabrum in Zechariah symbolizes that the Temple will be built by God Himself, not through human effort. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a 16th-century Yiddish commentary, provides accessible insights into the Torah and Haftarot, blending biblical texts with rabbinic teachings.

“Not by might, nor by power, but through My spirit, says the Lord” [4:6]. The angel responded: I will tell you what this means. Just like you see that the tree making oil run from itself into the bowl and the bowl causes the oil to flow by itself into the candelabrum, into each branch, so too, the Temple will be built by God himself, and not through the hands of the people. The tree and the candelabrum signify this.

Tze'enah Ure'enah, Haftarot, Beha'alotcha 17

A Parable of Two Olive Trees

TALMUD

The Babylonian Talmud uses the metaphor of olive oil to highlight the differences in halakhic discussions between Torah scholars in the land of Israel and Babylonia. Rabbi Yitzḥak interprets verses from Zechariah to distinguish between the two groups of scholars.

Sanhedrin 24a:13

The Interconnected Prophecies of Uriah and Zechariah

TALMUD

The fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy is intricately linked to the fulfillment of Uriah's prophecy, highlighting a profound connection between the two periods. In Tractate Makkot, Rabbi Akiva explains the interdependence of these prophecies, offering a unique perspective on the continuity of prophetic visions from the First to the Second Temple period.

Rabbi Akiva said to them: That is why I am laughing, as it is written, when God revealed the future to the prophet Isaiah: “And I will take to Me faithful witnesses to attest: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah” (Isaiah 8:2). Now what is the connection between Uriah and Zechariah? He clarifies the difficulty: Uriah prophesied during the First Temple period, and Zechariah prophesied during the Second Temple period, as he was among those who returned to Zion from Babylonia…

Makkot 24b:3

A City Without Walls

COMMENTARY

Rashi envisions a future Jerusalem that will grow without limits, welcoming all who wish to settle there. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French commentator, interprets Zechariah’s prophecy about the boundless expansion and divine protection of Jerusalem.

Run, speak to this young man You shall no longer go forth to measure, for the Holy One, blessed be He, has taken counsel with His heavenly household [and decreed] that [Jerusalem] will not have a limit or a measure. And now, run and speak to Zechariah: It shall be inhabited like unwalled towns, without a wall, so that all who come there shall settle therein, and it shall grow from day to day.

Rashi on Zechariah 2:8:1

From Mourning to Joy

TOSEFTA

The transformation of fast days into days of joy and happiness, as described in the book of Zechariah, reflects the resilience and hope embedded in Jewish history. The Tosefta, an ancient collection of Jewish oral law, discusses the four major fasts that commemorate significant tragedies in Jewish history.

Rabbi Akiva expounded, behold, it says (Zech. 8:19), "Thus said the Lord, the fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth [shall be for the House of Judah for joy and for happiness]." The "fast of the fourth" -- that is the 17th of Tammuz, on which the city was breached. And why is its name called "fourth"? Because it is the fourth of the months (i.e., starting with Nissan). The "fast of the fifth" -- that is the 9th of Av, the day that the Holy Temple was burned. And why is its named called "fifth"? Because it is the fifth month…

Tosefta Sotah 6:7

The Four Fasts of Zechariah

HALAKHAH

The prophet Zechariah mentions four fasts, but their specific identification and timing are clarified in later Jewish tradition. In his monumental 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Rambam (Maimonides) details the observance of these fasts and their historical significance.

These four fasts are explicitly mentioned in the prophetic tradition [Zechariah 8:19]: "The fast of the fourth [month], the fast of the fifth [month]...." "The fast of the fourth [month]" refers to the Seventeenth of Tammuz, which is in the fourth month; "the fast of the fifth [month]," to Tish'ah B'Av, which is in the fifth month; "the fast of the seventh [month]," to the Third of Tishrei which is in the seventh month; "the fast of the tenth [month]," to the Tenth of Tevet, which is in the tenth month.

Mishneh Torah, Fasts 5:4

The Lord's Dominion

LITURGY

This text, which includes a verse from the book of Zechariah, emphasizes the universal kingship and oneness of God, highlighting the Lord's dominion over all the earth. This passage is part of the Hosha'anot prayers recited on Hosha'ana Rabba, a day of final judgment during Sukkot.

Yours, Lord, are greatness, might, splendor, triumph, and majesty, for all that is in heaven and on earth [is Yours] ; to You, Lord, belong kingship and preeminence above all (I Chronicles 29:11). And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; on that day the Lord shall be One, and his name One (Zechariah 14:9). And it is written in Your Torah, saying (Deuteronomy 6:4), "Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" - blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.

Siddur Ashkenaz, Festivals, Sukkot, Hosha'anot, Hosha'ana Rabba 73

Prophetic Encouragement in Temple Rebuilding

SECOND TEMPLE

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah played a crucial role in motivating the Jews to continue building the Temple despite fears of Persian interference. Josephus, in his historical work 'The Antiquities of the Jews,' recounts the efforts of these prophets in ensuring the construction of the Temple did not cease.

5. When Zorobabel and the high priest had made this answer, Sisinnes, and those that were with him, did not resolve to hinder the building, until they had informed king Darius of all this. So they immediately wrote to him about these affairs; but as the Jews were now under terror, and afraid lest the king should change his resolutions as to the building of Jerusalem and of the temple, there were two prophets at that time among them, Haggai and Zechariah, who encouraged them, and bid them be of good cheer, and to suspect no discouragement from the Persians, for that God foretold this to them…

The Antiquities of the Jews 11:4:5

Redemption by God's Spirit

CHASIDUT

The ultimate redemption will be achieved not through human might or power, but by God's spirit. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a prominent Hasidic master, emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength over material power in achieving divine goals.

And I said to the angel who spoke with me, saying, What are these? Then the angel who spoke with me answered, This is the word of God to Zerubavel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My ruach — Namely, the ruach-of-life, as in, “Thus says God: From the four directions comes the ruach.”

Likutei Moharan 8:8:27

Transforming Fast Days

GUIDES

Zechariah speaks of transforming fast days into days of joy and gladness, emphasizing the importance of loving truth and peace. Adin Steinsaltz, a renowned 20th-century Jewish scholar, delves into Zechariah's prophetic vision and its implications for Jewish fast days.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful Festivals; therefore love truth and peace. (Zechariah 8:19) The fasts discussed in the tractate up until this chapter are those decreed upon the public due to a calamity. These fasts, which include fasts for rain, do not occur on fixed dates but are declared in response to a catastrophe that afflicts the Jewish people…

Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Taanit, Introduction to Perek IV 2-5

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Building of the Second Temple

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