There Are No Shortcuts in Character Refinement

In preparation for the fast of the 17th of Tamuz, 5774 (July 15, 2014), I offer here the words of Mishnah Berurah (549:1): “Every person is obligated to introspect on these [communal fast] days, and to examine one’s deeds and repent of them, for the principle obligation is not fasting… Fasting is merely a preparation […]

Don’t Be a Menace to Elijah the Prophet While Worshipping Your Idols in the Hood

The now ferocious beast spun around and began a charge toward Eliyahu.

Elijah, Jonah, and Resurrection

It is through the power of charity that the dead are destined to be resurrected.

Women and Tefillah

[NOTE: The word “tefilah” here connotes the silent meditative prayer, also called “Shemoneh Esreh” or “Amidah,” that forms the core of all Jewish prayer services.] Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), Orach Chayim 106:1: “Women… even though they are exempt from reciting the Sh’ma, are obligated in tefillah, because it is a positive commandment that […]

Scratch That, Reverse it

In an earlier post, I quoted from Tana d’Vey Eliyahu Rabah a story about Eliyahu haNavi (Elijah the Prophet) visiting a widow and instructing her to separate a portion of bread for him first as a sign that he (Eliyahu) would first come to the exile, followed by the redeemer. (Please read that story to […]

Eliyahu according to Tana d’Vey Eliyahu Rabah

I came to them… and said to them: ‘My masters, I come from none other than the seed of Rachel!’ They said to me: ‘Offer a proof to your words!’

Eliyahu according to Tana d’Vey Eliyahu Zuta

Elijah appears at the end and clarifies the issue… So that’s that, right?

Eliyahu according to… ME?

Please see the introduction to this series for context. So we were talking about whether Pinchas and Eliyahu are the same. Popular belief has it that they are, while the sources we’ve examined so far indicate that they aren’t. Now, that said, the view that Pinchas is Eliyahu is not without basis — there are sources […]

Eliyahu According to Midrash Rabah, pt. II

The 4th installment in a series exploring whether Pinchas and Eliyahu ha-Navi (Elijah the Prophet) are the same person. Here is another source from Midrash Rabah weighing in on the background of Eliyahu. B’Reshith Rabah 71:12: ‘Leah said, ‘Good fortune (gad) has come” (Genesis 30:11). The one who is destined to cut down (‘l’gaded’) the […]

Eliyahu according to Midrash Rabah

Part 2 in a series exploring the widely held belief that Eliyahu ha-Navi (Elijah the Prophet) is synonymous with the character of Pinchas, grandson of Aharon (Aaron). Sh’moth Rabah 40: [Betzalel] was one of seven people who were called [several] names. Eliyahu (Elijah) was called four names… Rabbi Elazar ben Pedath said: [Eliyahu] was a […]