Top 10 facts about Elijah

1. Prophet who lived in the 9th century BCE

2. Acording to Book of Kings: a. raised the dead  b. brought down fire from the sky  c. ascended into heaven on a whirlwind

3. champion of the poor

4. heralder of the Messiah

5. last of the prophets

6. often disguised as a beggar or vagabond  and usually in the service of common people in need

7. frequently plays the role of a miracle-worker iintervening to meake peace between husbands and wives to right wrongs.

8. John the Baptist declared Jesus to be Elijah reinarnated.

9. Known as a peacemaker, recorder of marriages decreed in heaven, blesser of barren women, interpreter of cryptic messages in the torah and talmud, protector of slaves, te poor and the oppressed, attends Brit milah

10. Elijah did not die. He was carried to heaven on a fiery chariot with fiery horses  One of only two biblical characters who did not die (also Enoch).

During the period when the nation of Israel was split into two kingdoms, Elijah the prophet had a showdown at Mt. Carmel with 450 false prophets of the Baal idol, resulting in their deaths. The king of the northern kingdom, Ahab, together with his wicked wife Jezebel, sent a message to the prophet Elijah: “At this time tomorrow, I will make your life like the life of one of them.”2

Elijah fled, and 40 days later he arrived at a cave on Mount Sinai where he spent the night. There G‑d revealed himself to Elijah and said, “Elijah, why are you here?” Elijah replied: “I have been zealous for the L‑rd, the G‑d of Hosts, for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant . . . and they seek my life to take it.”3

Which covenant did the people forsake? The Midrash says Elijah was referring to circumcision, which is called a brit (“covenant”). Furthermore, according to one midrash, not only did Elijah complain about them abandoning the covenant, but in his zealotry he asked G‑d to punish the sinners of Israel.4

The Midrash says that G‑d rebuked him, saying: “They abandoned My covenant, not yours; they dismantled My altars, not yours; they killed My prophets, not yours. Why are you more zealous than I!?5

“I vow,” continued G‑d, “that whenever My children make this sign in their flesh [i.e., whenever there is a circumcision], you will be present, and the mouth which testified that the Jewish people have abandoned My covenant will testify that they are keeping it."6

By attending every circumcision, Elijah was given the opportunity to rectify his error by testifying in their favor and to their credit that they do keep the covenant.7

It is for this reason the sages instituted that there be a seat of honor for Elijah at every circumcision.8


haggadah Section: Bareich