He is most famous from the classic line in Maoz Tzur: “Keitz Bavel, Zerubavel.” But who was he and what was his role as a leader of the Jewish People?
In this week’s haftarah, Zerubavel appears at the very end of a prophecy given to Zechariah regarding the redemption of Klal Yisrael from the 70-year Babylonian exile. Megillah 31a says we also read this haftarah on Chanukah because it contains Zechariah’s vision of a menorah. Our parsha begins with a menorah so this connection exists here as well.
Perhaps, though, there is another connection. Moshe Rabbeinu joyously expects that Bnei Yisrael are about to enter Eretz Yisrael and exclaims to Yisro, “We are traveling to the place about which G-d said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will be good to you, for G-d has spoken of good fortune for Yisrael” (Bamidbar 10:29). Moshe anticipates that the world’s purpose has come to fruition and he will lead Klal Yisrael into the Messianic era.
However, everything changes. Moshe’s hopes and dreams came crashing down with a series of sins that began with the nation’s warped desire for meat and ended with the infamous sin of the spies, resulting in a forty-year sojourn in the desert. The haftarah’s connection to our parsha may be the dream and hope of redemption stated by Moshe and by Zechariah regarding Zerubavel. Zerubavel, like Moshe, is referred to as the main teacher of Torah to Klal Yisrael in future times. The midrash says that Zerubavel son of Shaltiel will stand before Hashem as His interpreter, and Hashem will reveal the wisdom of the Torah to him (Tanna D’bei Eliyahu Zuta 20:5).
As the concluding words of the haftarah state: “This is the word of Hashem to Zerubavel, saying: ‘Not through armies and not through strength, but through My Spirit, said Hashem, Master of Legions.’ Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubavel you will become a plain! He will bring out the cornerstone, with cheers of ‘Chein, Chein lah, Grace! Grace!’ for it.” Rashi explains that the officers who disrupted the work will be crushed before Zerubavel like a plain. They will no longer rule over him. The foreman will take the cornerstone in his hand and everyone will say, “What a graceful building this is!” The Temple will be rebuilt!
So who was Zerubavel?
The prophet Chagai (1:1) describes him as a governor of Yehudah, chosen to bring Jews back to Israel from exile. Avos D’Rabi Nosson (2:5) says he was known to have special and holy potential since he was born circumcised. Indeed, we see that in 3390 (371 BCE), Zerubavel led 40,000 Jews back to Israel from Bavel. They actually began building the Second Beis HaMikdash with the agreement of King Koresh but were forced to stop when he withdrew his permission. After these events, the Purim story occurred, and, eventually, under the Persian King Daryavesh, the rebuilding resumed and was completed.
The Gemara (Horiyos 11b) discusses the lineage of certain kings in Klal Yisrael based on Divrei Hayamim I (3:15-19). We are told that Zerubavel’s father was Shaltiel. The Gemara says that his father’s name was actually Pedaya and Shaltiel was his grandfather. Rav Avrohom Rivlin asks why he is then called the son of Shaltiel. In addition to the well-known Chazal that grandchildren are like children, Rav Rivlin suggests that the Navi wants to stress that Zerubavel’s very existence was due to miracles, and connects him to his grandfather who was conceived through miracles.
The Gemara relates that Yechonya HaMelech had been imprisoned by Nevuchadnezzar in a very cramped room which had no space in which a person could lie down. His wife was allowed to visit him and became pregnant. In addition, the name Shaltiel comes from the words, “G-d rescinded his oath” (nishal al alaso Keil). Rashi explains that Hashem had sworn that Yechonya would not have a son and the decree was rescinded.