Eliyahu HaNavi – Ask the Rabbi

Q. Why do we sing “Eliyahu HaNavi” (“Elijah the Prophet”) at the end of Shabbat?

Painting depicting Elijah the Prophet, by Zalman Kleinman
A. Elijah, according to the Book of Malachi, will arrive in advance of the Mashi’ach. But, adds the Talmud, not on the eve of a Shabbat or festival, in order not to disturb the preparations for the celebrations of the day.

(An analogous teaching says that if you are planting a tree when the Mashi’ach arrives, you should first finish the planting and only then welcome the Messiah.)

If Elijah has waited till Shabbat is out before making his appearance, we sing to make him feel welcome.

A Midrash tells us that on Saturday night Elijah enters the Garden of Eden, sits beneath a tree, and records the names of those who have kept Shabbat. We have been assured that if all Israel keeps Shabbat properly two weeks running, the Mashi’ach will come; by farewelling Shabbat with a song about Elijah, we articulate our hope that this will be the Saturday night when we will have brought about the redemption.

This entry is filed under Ask The Rabbi, Messiah, Shabbat.

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