Once in the days of Rabbi Eleazar the son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was walking along a path beside a great river. There he met Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) who had come to test the goodness of his heart. He appeared as an old man accompanied by a boy. It seemed to Rabbi Eleazar that they must have been waiting there for a very long time for some boat in order that the old man could pass with the boy to the other shore and continue on some very urgent journey.

When Rabbi Eleazar saw the old man’s distress he said to him, “saba (grandfather), put the boy on one side of my shoulders and you hang onto my other shoulder, and I will bring you across the river.” “Why,” said the old man to him, “you are an honored man of our times, and you have lived softly and easily since your youth and cannot have the strength for this hard labor of bringing us across on your shoulders.” “Saba,” answered Eleazar, “if I were to take you and your boy into my two hands, I would have the strength to carry you the long distance across to the other shore.” “Do you engage in the study of Torah (Scriptures)?” Eliyahu haNovi asked him, and he answered, “Yes.”

“But of the Torah,” continued Eliyahu haNovi, it is said “much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12) “Why,” responded Rabbi Eleazar, “the Torah is called ‘healing’ and ‘refreshment’ for the body, as it was written by Shlomo haMelech (King Solomon), It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.’ (Proverbs 3:8) likewise I have drunk much Torah, like one who drinks for refreshment, so my strength has increased.” Eliyahu haNovi then agreed, Rabbi Eleazar brought them over on his shoulders.

After that, Rabbi Eleazar asked him, “Saba, what is this boy with you?” “I am his teacher,” answered Eliyahu haNovi, “and I teach in Torah.” “Saba (grandfather)” said Rabbi Eleazar to him, “I would have you know that I am strong in this world and in the World to Come. In virtue of the fact that you teach Torah to Jewish children I shall not permit the Angel of Gehenna to harm you, and I shall conduct you into the World to Come by my great power I have there.” “Rabbi,” answered Eliyahu haNovi, “it is true that your words have as much power in the World to Come as any of the angels on high minister before the Holy One, blessed be He.” The old man and the boy vanished and Rabbi Eleazar and never saw them again

Then Rabbi Eleazar said, “That must have been Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).” And he rejoiced because he withstood the test and humbled himself with us before him.

Zohar Chadash Lech Lecha 22

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