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 God 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 of messianic days to herald a new era of peace, so we set a place for Elijah at many joyous, hopeful Jewish occasions, such as a baby’s bris and the Passover seder.

The Hassidic Rebbe Naftali Tzvi Horowitz used to go around the Seder table inviting each participant to pour from their personal cup into Elijah's cup. This symbolizes the Kabbalistic concept that Divine action will occur when there is a corresponding human action, an awakening from below that precedes it.

In some families, each participant helps to fill Elijah's cup of future redemption, while, silently or aloud, making a particular wish for a better year. May it come true with our own initiative and then with God's help.

אֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַנָּבִיא, אֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּי

אֵלִיָּֽהוּ, אֵלִיָּֽהוּ,אֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַגִּלְעָדִי

בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵֽנוּ יָבוֹא אֵלֵֽינוּ

עִם מָשִֽׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד עִם מָשִֽׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד

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 Tishbite, the man of Gilad: return to us speedily, in our days with the messiah, son of David.

MIRIAM HAN'VIAH
Traditional melody tor Eiliyahu Hanavi. Hebrew lyrics by Leila Gal Bemer

Miriam ha-n'vi-a oze v'zim-ra b'ya-da.
Miriam, tir'kod i-ta-nu, l'hag-dil zim-rat o-lam.
Miriam, tir'kod i-ta-nu, l'ta-kein et ha-o-lam.
Bim-hei-ra v'ya-mei-nu hi t'vi-ei-nu
El mei ha-y'shu-a (2x)

Miriam the Prophet, strength and song are in her hand. Miriam will dance with us to strengthen the world's song. Miriam will dance with us to heal the world. Soon, and in our time, she will lead us to the waters of salvation


haggadah Section: Hallel
Source: JewishBoston.com and Leila Gal Bemer