According to Jewish tradition, since Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) ascended into heaven alive and never died, he can return to earth to make visits. It is said that he mystically appears at two events: during the Passover seder and at a bris.

 

Toward the end of the seder, the door of the house is opened, because Passover night is said to be a time when Jewish people have miraculous protection from their enemies. According to tradition, Eliyahu haNovi enters then to drink wine from the kos shel Eliyahu – a special cup set out for him on the table.

Eliyahu haNovi, who strengthened the spirit of the Jewish people, also visits every bris, and the sandak sits in the Chair of Elijah, holding on his lap the baby boy to be circumcised.

It once happened that a family was gathered around the seder table. The seder nights are a time of mystery and wonder as children ask questions and the adults answer them.

A little girl closed her eyes and said the Ma Nishtana (the Four Questions) and listened to every word the father and grandfather said that seder night.  When they opened the door to recite Shfoch hamascha, “Pour out Your wrath,” from the Haggadah, the little girl cried out, “Look at the old man who’s come!”

The next day, her grandfather asked the little girl what the old man had looked like — the one she had seen the night before. he pointed out some men walking along the street to her and asked, “Did he look like this man? Or that man?”

The little girl answered, “He was very, very handsome!”

A year later, the little girl’s mother gave birth to a baby boy. The little girl’s grandfather came to the bris. When they brought the baby into the synagogue, it was full of people. The little sister was also there, standing near her grandfather. Suddenly, pointing to where no one was standing, she called out, “Zadie, look there’s the old man again!”

Her grandfather bent over and whispered into the ear of his son “Our little girl has already had a revelation of Eliyahu haNovi twice!”

According to the mystic tradition, some Jewish mystics merited to see Eliyahu haNovi, who appears to them and teaches them many of the  secrets of the Torah. To even see or greet Eliyahu haNovi is considered a great honor and a sign of a great spiritual level. This little girl must have been very special — very pure and of great faith—to have had these two revelations of Eliyahu haNovi at the Passover seder and at her brother’s bris.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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