Elijah, the prophet from the village of Tishbe in Gilead, challenged the injustice of King Ahab and overthrew the worship of Baal. he healed the sick and helped the widowed. At the end of his days on earth, his follower Elisha had a vision of Elijah being carried to the heavens in a chariot of fire. Legend has it that from time to time Elijah returns to earth to comfort the helpless.

This may of mystery became associated with the End op Days, with the messianic hopes of our peoiple, and of our hopes against fear and poverty. The prophet Malachai promised that Elijah would return, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents, and to announce the Messianic age, when all humankind would celebrate freedom.

Hence, Elijah holds a place in every Seder. We open the door that he may enter, and we set a cup of wine on the table to represent God's final promise for us and for all peoples: "I will BRING YOU into the land".

Let us open the door for Elijah, who has ben a symbol of peace and the inspiration for Jews, especially in times of trouble.

THE DOOR IS OPENED. ALL RISE.

אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא אֵלִיָּהוּ הַתִשְׁבִּי

אֵלִיָּהוּ הַגִּלְעָדִי

במְהֵרָה בְיָמֵנוּ יָבוא אֵלֵינוּ

עִם מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָוִד, עִם מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָוִד

Eliyahu ha-navi, Eliyahu ha-Tishbi,

Eliyahu (3x) ha-Giladi.

Bimheirah v'yameinu, yavo ei-leinu

im Mashiach ben David (2x)

Elijah, the prophet; Elijiah, the Tishbite; Elijah, of Gilead! May he soon come, and bring with him the Messiah.

ALL SIT

We who have witnessed the darkest chapter in modern Jewish history have also witnessed our people's greatest triumph: the rebirth of Israel. We thank you, O God, that You have permitted us to behold our people's return to Zion. You have opened the gates, and you "brought the remnant of Thy people from the east, and gathered them from the West. You have said to the North, "Give up!" and to the South, "Do not withold them!" You have brought your sons from afar, and your daughters from the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 43:5-6)

May we who live in this land of freedom help our people to rebuild the State of Israel, that it may be secure and self-supporting; a stronghold of democracy and justice, a bridge which unites the people of the East and the West.


כִּ֤י מִצִּיּוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תוֹרָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃

Ki mitzion taytzay Torah, udvar Adinai miyerushalyaim.

For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of God from Jerusalem.
 

Elijah, herald of reconciliation in time to come, when questions and answers shall flow among us. In out love, we shall come to understand, Then our redemtion will truly begin. As it is said: Israel and all the world shall reach the Land of Promise.

All: SPEEDILY, IN OUR DAY, AMEN!

THE DOOR IS CLOSED


haggadah Section: Bareich
Source: Compilation