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The Midrash Tanchuma in Vayikra discusses the wonders shown to Jonah by the fish which swallowed him after having saved it from the Leviathan (see the Midrash [ibid.] for further elaboration).

(Source from Sefaria.org)

אמר לו לדג, הריני הצלתיך מפיו של לויתן, הראני כל מה שבים ובתהומות. והראהו נהר גדול של מימי אוקינוס, שנאמר: תהום יסובבני (יונה ב, ו)‏

[Jonah] said to the fish, "behold, I saved you from the mouth of the Leviathan, show me all that is in the sea and its depths", and [the fish] showed him the great river of the waters of the ocean, as it is written "the depths surrounded me" (Jonah 2:6)

My Question:

What is "the great river of the waters of the ocean?" is it discussed anywhere else in the Midrashim describing its location/function?

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  • 1
    Underwater River Flows Along Mexico’s Ocean Floor - mymodernmet.com/…
    – Danny Schoemann
    Mar 14, 2018 at 14:55
  • 1
    עיין רש"י בכורות ט. ד"ה בי בליעי, ועיין תוס' שם לגבי ה "Bermuda triangle"
    – רבות מחשבות
    Mar 14, 2018 at 15:10
  • 1
    Are you trying to stay in the context of the midrash? Typically, "The Great Fish" (דאגה and הדג הגדול) is an allegory for worries and concerns. And the Great Sea is an allegory for material sustenance (money, food, clothing, etc). In that context, it would be discussing macroeconomic models which encompass and control every detail of material sustenance.
    – Yaacov Deane
    Mar 14, 2018 at 15:34
  • There's something about rivers in oceans in Kohelet Rabba on the verse כל הנחלים הולכים אל הים (here), but it doesn't mention explicitly "the great river"
    – b a
    Mar 14, 2018 at 16:28
  • @רבותמחשבות it sounds like (visually) Danny's answer . I'm certain theres something in the Likutei Moharan about this Midrash too.
    – TrustMeI'mARabbi
    Mar 14, 2018 at 17:18

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