Comentario citado sobre Jonás 3:9

The placement of a comma makes all the difference in the world. In a classic example, there is a very big difference between “let’s eat grandma” and “let’s eat, grandma”. Similarly, the question as to the placement of a comma in the phrase “Mi Yodeia Yashuv VaNicham HaElokim” (Yonah 3:9) stated by the king of Nineveh makes a great difference.

Conclusion
What a difference a comma makes! Fundamental issues regarding Teshuvah and our relationship with Hashem emerge from Yonah 3:9 depending on where one places a comma. Such a rich discussion hinges on the surprisingly important issue as to where we place the pause. Wherever one places the pause, on Yom Kippur it is especially important that we pause and consider our relationship with Hashem. There are many approaches to Teshuvah, but as the Gemara reminds us: either way God desires our repentance.

Rabi Akiva might have learned the power of a positive vision to create a better reality from Yonah’s positive visualization in the depths of the fish. The same confident approach is reflected in the king of Nineveh proclaiming “Mi Yodeia Yashuv, VeNicham HaElokim,” “if one does Tehsuvah, Hashem will relent” (Yonah 3:9 as interpreted by Targum Yonatan ben Uzziel, discussed at length in our chapter devoted to an analysis of this phrase).