Eliyahu's Role in the Future

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1. The Storm (Part 15)

   Eliyahu Lives On (III)

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   As opposed to other deceased biblical characters whose futuristic appearance seems to be either metaphorical or referring to a future offspring of a dynasty, the final prophecy in the last prophet Malachi seems to relate to an actual physical role for Eliyahu in the future. This episode too draws responses related to the question of whether or not Eliyahu died.

2. Healing, Death and Immortality

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Elisha heals the water of Jericho after crossing the Jordan, reminscent of the healing of the waters of Mara after the splitting of the Red Sea. Elisha's first act - healing the water - sharply contrasts Eliyahu's first act of decreeing a draught. Elisha's harsh reaction to the youth who taunted him reflects the message that was said to Elisha regarding his master Eliyahu. The question of Eliyahu's immortatlity is evaluated within the corpus of Tanakh and in the sources of the Sages.  

3. Did Eliyahu Die?

   Dr. Baruch Alster | Hour and 11 minutes

   The concept of Eliyahu's ascent to heaven (as described in II Kings) was heavily debated among medieval commentaries. Some allowed for the idea that the ancient prophet lives on to this day, as can be understood from the biblical verses, while others prefer to minimize the miracle and claim that the verses describe the prophet's death. By analyzing the various medieval opinions we can learn how each commentator balances the truth of Tanakh with rationalist philosophy.

4. Malakhi’s Grand Conclusion

   Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

   By addressing the immediate concern of the mediocre Temple service while nostalgically hearkening back to a golden age, Malakhi hews to his mandate of remaining anchored in his own times while summing up all of Nevi’im.

   Malakhi mirrors Tzefania, but his subject differs. For Malakhi idolatry is no longer a burning issue. The point of emphasis therefore shifts from pagan worship to an exclusive focus on ethics and morality. By building off the language of his predecessors yet addressing contemporary concerns, all the while prophesying about the Messianic period, Malakhi continues to stay true to his multiple mandates.

   As an antidote to the shortcomings of Eliyahu’s overly zealous leadership, at the End of Days he will enact an historic reconciliation among family members and between God and His people.

   The culmination of Sefer Malakhi and Nevi’im offers an inspiring message that is at once relevant to its time and simultaneously universal: The reunification of family is a signal of redemption. That family includes both the Jewish people and God Himself. This comforting message must have proven powerfully uplifting for the beleaguered Shivat Tzion community. Like Zekharia, Malakhi reminds the people that redemption would ultimately arrive, and that modest steps toward repentance and building families were steps toward that deliverance.