This beautiful wine cup is placed in the center of our table waiting for an honored guest, waiting for Elijah the prophet.

Long ago, Elijah protected the Jews from an evil king and queen. He healed the sick and helped the weak. When his days on earth were over, legend says Elijah rode up into the sky on a chariot.

Legends also tell us that this mysterious man returns to earth to help the helpless, to answer the unanswerable, and to remind us that some day, all people will be free.

All over the world, in every Jewish home, children open the door on Passover to invite Elijah to enter. Perhaps tonight he will honor us and enter our home. Our hope makes a bridge between heaven and earth.

Leader:

Go. Open the door to welcome him as we read these words.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, and he will turn the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of the children to the parents before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the Lord. (Malachi 3:23-24)

As we close the door, we sing Elijah's song:

Ei-li-ya-hu ha-na-vi,

Ei-li-ya-hu ha-tish-bi;

Ei-li-ya-hu, Ei-li-ya-hu,

Ei-li-ya-hu ha-gil-a-di.

Elijah the prophet. Elijah the prophet.

May he come soon, in our day.


haggadah Section: Shulchan Oreich
Source: The Family Haggadah