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One of the better known hymans chanted after Havdalah is "Elijah
the Prophet" in which the hope is expressed that he will appear
at the conclusion of Shabbat to announce the coming of the Messiah.
The folk leitmotif of "provider" associated with Elijah's
name (based on the biblical description of his ability to create rain)
may also explain his appearances in the Havdalah ceremony when one
marks the beginning of the work week; in the Yiddish song "God
of Abraham" chanted by East European Jewish women at Havdalah,
Elijah is heralded as both Israel's redeemer and provider.
Here is a quick survey of the evolution of the very popular Elijah the
Tishbi.
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Detail, The prophet Elijah receiving
bread and water from an angel, 1625-28
Pieter Pauwel Rubens,
Oil on canvas
Musée Bonnat, Bayonne
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No other biblical figure, not even Moses, has enjoyed as much
popularity in the Jewish folk imagination as Eliyahu Ha-Navi, Elijah
the Prophet. Paradoxically, the biblical prophet of wrath and intolerance
bears little resemblance to this popular Elijah, whom later legend transformed
into a compassionate champion of the poor and a heralder of the Messiah.
Elijah lived in the 9th century BCE during the corrupt reign
of Kign Ahab and his foreign Queen Jezebel. Zealous on behalf of the worship
of the God of Israel and unconditionally opposed to any cult (especially any
official cult) other than that of YHWH in Israel, Elijah confronts the powerful
priests of Baal, defeating them on Mount Carmel by invoking heavenly fire.
[1] At Mount Horeb to where he flees he hears "the small still voice
of God" and is taken to heaven in a fiery chariot
By the time of Malachi, the last of the prophets, Elijah had
achieved the legendary status of the harbinger of Messianic redemption: "Behold,
I will send the prophet Elijah to you become the coming of the awesome, fearful
day of the Lord." [2] The early Christians adopted Elijah for their own
legendary tradition; John the Baptist declared Jesus to be Elijah reincarnated.
Because of this Christian appropriation, the rabbis made some effort to demythologize
Elijah's image, debating his heavenly ascension [3] and criticizing his impatience
with the Jewish People. [4] They tried to limit his role to that of the future
arbiter of insoluble halakhic (religious legal) questions.
Many proverbial sayings and aphorisms grew around Elijah's name
in this role as arbiter. The most popular among them "until Elijah arrives,"
is used when referring to a doubtful and unsolved matter. This recalls also
the folk explanation of the word BcyT (teiku), which is actually a
form of MvcyT "let it stand," "stalemate,"; accordingly
to the folk explanation, the word teiku is a notarikon consisting
of the initial letters of Tishbi yetarez kushyot u-ve'ayot, i.e., "the
Tishbite (Elijah) will resolve difficulties and problems."
Despite efforts to limit his role, Elijah's reputation
remained not only untainted but embellished with further mantles. Elijah was
characterized as peacemaker, recorder of marriages decreed in heaven, blesser
of barren women, interpreter of cryptic messages in the torah and Talmud,
protector of slaves, the poor and the oppressed. In legends he customarily
appears disguised as a beggar or vagabond.
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Detail, Prophet Elijah in the desert, 1464-68
Dieric Bouts (1415-75)
Oil on panel, 88 x 71 cm
St. Peters Church, Leuven
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Two roles in particular have earned Elijah an honored place
at many Jewish rituals and celebrations. Tradition assigns him the task of
upholding brit ha-dorot, the covenant between the generations. Accordingly,
he serves as the guardian angel of newborn children and young people fated
to die prematurely. In the Messianic Age, "He shall reconcile parents
with their children and children with their parents, so that, when I come,
I do not strike the whole earth with utter destruction." [5] His presence
as protector and messianic herald is invoked at circumcisions, where a special
Chair of Elijah is reserved for him.
Even more central is his role as messianic herald. At the End
of Days, Elijah at the Messiah's command, will blow the shofar, revealing
the Primal Light of Creation, reviving and dead, and rebuilding the Temple.
His arrival will banish all evil from the earth. At the Passover seder, a
full cup of wine (Elijah's Cup) is set out on the table, but not drunk, in
expectation of the prophet's arrival to announce the dawn of the messianic
Age. At the Havdalah ceremony, Elijah's name is involved in the hopes that
he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age.
The kabbalists elaborated on the supernatural qualities ofElijah,
claiming the prophet wasoriginally an angel, created from the Tree of Life.
[6] Periodically, he returns to earth to reveal himself to tzadikim
(holy souls), and expounds to them the secrets of the Torah. According to
some Hasidic teachings, Elijah integrates the male and female aspects within
each human being. [7]
Folk tradition abounds with tales of Elijah's mysterious
appearances and disappearances, usually in the service of common people in
need. The midrash traces his ancestry back to Rachel, who was praised for
her mercy and concern for her exiled children. [8] He frequently plays the
role of miracle-worker or fairy godfather, intervening to make peace between
husbands and wives, to bestow wishes, to right wrongs. His name is often invoked
in amulets and practical Kabbalah (magic), especially to protect children.
The expression, "until Elijah comes," is a folk expression meaning
"a very long time."
