Elijah

== In the Aggadah, Talmud, and extra-canonical books ==
Jewish legends about Elijah abound in the [[Aggadah]], which is found throughout various collections of [[rabbinic literature]], including the [[Babylonian Talmud]]. This varied literature does not merely discuss his life, but has created a new history of him, which, beginning with his death{{em dash}}or "translation"{{em dash}}ends only with the close of the history of the human race. The volume of references to Elijah in Jewish Tradition stands in marked contrast to that in the Canon. As in the case of most figures of Jewish legend, so in the case of Elijah, the biblical account became the basis of later legend. Elijah the precursor of the Messiah, Elijah zealous in the cause of God, Elijah the helper in distress: these are the three leading notes struck by the Aggadah, endeavoring to complete the biblical picture with the Elijah legends. His career is extensive, colorful, and varied. He has appeared the world over in the guise of a beggar and scholar.

From the time of [[Malachi]], who says of Elijah that God will send him before "the great and dreadful day",<ref>[[Malachi 4:5|Malachi 3:23 in Hebrew Bible]]</ref> down to the later stories of the Chasidic [[rabbi]]s, reverence and love, expectation and hope, were always connected in the Jewish consciousness with Elijah.

=== Origin ===
Three different theories regarding Elijah's origin are presented in the Aggadah literature:
(1) he belonged to the tribe of Gad,<ref>Midrash Genesis Rabbah lxxi.</ref>
(2) he was a Benjamite from Jerusalem, identical with the Elijah mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:27, and
(3) he was a priest.

Many Christian Church fathers also<ref>Aphraates, "Homilies," ed. Wright, p.&nbsp;314; Epiphanius, "Hæres." lv. 3, passim</ref> have stated that Elijah was a priest. Some rabbis have speculated that he should be identified with [[Phinehas]].<ref>Pirḳe R. El. xlvii.; Targ. Yer. on Num. xxv. 12</ref>

According to later [[Kabbalah|Kabbalistic]] literature, Elijah was really an [[angel]] in human form,<ref name=EB1911/> so that he had neither parents nor offspring.<ref>Yalḳuṭ Reubeni, Bereshit, 9a, ed. Amsterdam</ref>

The Midrash Rabbah Exodus 4:2 states "Elijah should have revived his parents as he had revived the son of the Zarephathite" indicating he surely had parents.

The Talmud states "Said he [Rabbah] to him (Elijah): Art thou not a priest: why then dost thou stand in a cemetery?"<ref>Baba Metzia 14B</ref>

=== Zeal for God ===
[[File:Statue of Saint Elijah at Saint Elijah Maronite Cathedral, Aleppo.jpg|thumb|upright|The statue of Elijah at the [[Saint Elias Cathedral]], [[Aleppo]], [[Syria]]]]

A [[midrash]]{{which|date=February 2019}} tells that they even abolished the sign of the covenant, and the prophet had to appear as Israel's accuser before God.<ref>Pirḳe R. El. xxix.</ref>{{clarify|date=November 2021}}

In the same cave where God once appeared to Moses and revealed Himself as gracious and merciful, Elijah was summoned to appear before God. By this summons he perceived that he should have appealed to God's mercy, instead of becoming Israel's accuser. The prophet, however, remained relentless in his zeal and severity, so that God commanded him to appoint his successor.<ref>Tanna debe Eliyahu Zuṭa viii.</ref>

The vision in which God revealed Himself to Elijah gave him at the same time a picture of the destinies of man, who has to pass through "four worlds." This world was shown to the prophet by God through symbolism: in the form of the wind, since the world disappears as the wind; storm is the day of death, before which man trembles; fire is the judgment in Gehenna; and the stillness is the last day.<ref>Tan., Peḳude, p.&nbsp;128, Vienna ed.</ref>

Three years after this vision, Elijah was "translated."<ref>Seder 'Olam R. xvii.</ref> Concerning the place to which Elijah was transferred, opinions differ among Jews and Christians, but the old view was that Elijah was received among the heavenly inhabitants, where he records the deeds of men.<ref>Ḳid. 70; Ber. R. xxxiv. 8</ref>

But as early as the middle of the 2nd century, when the notion of translation to heaven underwent divergent possible interpretations by Christian theologians, the assertion was made that Elijah never entered into heaven proper.<ref>Suk. 5a</ref> In later literature paradise is generally designated as the abode of Elijah,<ref>Compare Pirḳe R. El. xvi.</ref> but since the location of paradise is itself uncertain, the last two statements may be identical.

=== Ecclesiasticus ===
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{{quote|At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury,
to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.}}
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| style="text-align: left;" | — A line in the [[Book of Sirach]] describing Elijah's mission (Ecclesiasticus 48:10).
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Elijah's glory is honoured in the [[Book of Sirach]] (Ecclesiasticus). His designated tasks are altered to:
*calming God's fury,
*restoring familial peace, and
*restoring the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]].<ref>{{Bibleverse||Sirach|48:10|NRSV}}: New Revised Standard Version</ref>