We now refill our wine glasses one last time and open the front door to invite the prophet Elijah to join our seder.

In the bible, Elijah was a fierce defender of G-d to a disbelieving people. At the end of his life, rather than dying, he was whisked away to heaven. Tradition holds that he will return in advance messianic days to herald a new era of peace , so we set a place for Elijah at many joyous, hopeful Jewish occasions, such as the Passover seder.

Eliyahu hanavi Eliyahu hatishbi Eliyahu, Eliyahu, Eliyahu hagiladi Bimheirah b'yameinu, yavo eileinu Im mashiach ben-David, Im mashiach ben-David

Elijah the prophet, the returning, the man of Gilad; return to us speedily, in our days with the messiah, son of David.


haggadah Section: Bareich
Source: Jewish Boston