Yirmiyahu Introduction
Bullet Point Summary
  • Yirmiya Introduction
  • Yirmiya was considered the  “Prophet of Doom” as  he prophesized about the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash.  
  • Yirmiya wrote Sefer Yirmiyahu, Melachim I, II and Megilas Eichah. 
  • Yirmiya was the son of Chilkiyahu ,the kohen and prophet.
  • Yirmiya  was a descendant of Evyasar and Achimelech Hakohen, from the family of Itamar Hakohen and Rachav the zona (Megilla 14b).
  • Ben-Sira was the son (or grandson) of Yirmiya. Sira and Yirmiya have the same numerical value of 271. (Mikra’os Gedolos Intro to Yirmiya)
  • Yechezkel ben Buzi was the son of Yirmiya. (Yechezkel 1:1 Radak)
  • Yirmiya would prophesize in the marketplace and in the bais medrash, and Chulda  would prophesize to the women. (Psikta Rabba 26:20) Tzefania  taught Yirmiya how to become a navi.
  • Baruch Ben Neria was a student/scribe of Yirmiya and also the rebbe of Ezra.
  • Yirmiya prophesized during the reigns of Yoshiyahu, Yehoacham, Yehoyakim, Yehoyachin and Tzidkiyah.
  • Yirmiya was born on the 9th of Av and lived  91 years.
  • Yirmiya’s name comes from “nisromem midas hadin”- Hashem’s judgment had become elevated.
  • Zohar: Yirmiya  refused to come out of the womb until Eliyahu Hanavi came and  told Yirmiya’s father to name him Yirmiyahu from the words “Yaram” meaning Hashem will “raise someone (Nevuchadnetzar) up” to defeat Yerushalayim during Yirmiya’s life time.
  • Yirmiya was clearly chosen from birth  for the difficult mission to prophesize about the impending doom of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash.
  • Yirmiya’s message of destruction was not popular. 
  • Yirmiya was ridiculed, shamed, chased out of his own home and thrown into jail twice. Interestingly enough, his childhood friend, Nevuchadnetzar, let him out of jail after the destruction. 
  • Living Nach explains Yirmiya knew he wouldn’t succeed in his mission to bring the nation to teshuvah, but he wasn’t considered a failure, as the mishna in Avos states 2:16: “It is not on us to finish the work.” We just need to start and simply do the will of Hashem at every turn.