There is a Hassidic tale which relates beautifully to our topic. It was told by our newest of consultants to the “Cup of Coffee” team, Rabbi Asher Hurtzberg
There was a young Chassid who was enamored by the rituals of Pesach. He would be anticipating its arrival for months. He was fascinated by the participation of all present at the Seder night, especially his father at the head of the table who was orchestrating the evening. Everybody dressed in their best. But what struck the Chassid most was Eliyahu Hanavi. His arrival was quite a dramatic event. The arrival of the great Eliyahu to his home was mesmerizing. What can we offer him? What does he like? When he departs what kind of bracha will he bless us with? What message did he bring with him and how can we become better Jews from his visit? Those were all questions that raced through his mind.
This Chassid was in his early twenties, not yet married. The young man was intense in his learning and was able to grasp spiritual concepts, drawing them to him like a vacuum. He was starving for more spirituality and he asked his Rebbi a question which he wanted to ask for quite some time. “Rebbi” the Chassid said approaching his Rebbi in private, “I would like to see Eliyahu when he comes in at the Seder. Please tell me, how can I meet him?” Now this was not a child asking to see Eliyahu and anticipating a chocolate bar from the great prophet, this was an adult who wanted to explore the essence of the being, of the spirit.
The young man pressed the Rebbi more. “Perhaps I can come to the house of the Rebbi, I’m sure there’s a better chance to meet him there.”
The Rebbi stroked his beard and answered the young student. “Well, if you really want to meet Eliyahu, then perhaps I can arrange it. There is a town not far away and in that town lives this very pious Jew. Eliyahu most likely will come to see him.”
The young man was very exited at the potential meeting, however he had some concerns. Pesach is a very stringent holiday in terms of kashrus – dietary laws, especially since various groups had their own chumras – stringencies. No one ate outside their own home in those days. Boy, times have changed. These days Eliyahu has to book a flight to Miami and be directed to Collins Ave.
The Rebbi responded “Don’t be so concerned. Why don’t you bring your own food?” The young Chassid was thrilled at the opportunity to meet Eliyahu Hanavi face to face, perhaps maybe just in the spiritual realm. This was his childhood dream with a grown up sophisticated attachment; “Wonderful!” he proclaimed as he left the Rebbi’s quarters.
The young man arrived at the address which the Rebbi had instructed. He knocked on the door whereupon he was greeted by the owner. The owner was taken a back at the sudden guest. “I would be honored to spend the Seder by your home” the young man said. The owner was dirt poor and was wondering for months how he was going to make Pesach now this unexpected person arrived. The host was horrified “What am I going to feed him, I can barely feed my own family?” he thought.
The young Chassid realized the poor condition of his host. Not only did the Chassid assure him that he will eat his own food, he also offered food for the host and his family, since he brought extra.
However, the Chassid was disappointed with his trip, for both nights of the Seder, Eliyahu Hanavi did not show up. There was no vibe; there was no spiritual awakening; there was just a long journey back.
Upon arriving at his Rebbi’s house, he said in disappointment, “K’vod HaRav, Eliyahu did not come.”
The Rebbi was surprised. “Are you sure?” the Rebbi responded. The Rebbi suggested that they both go back to the poor man’s house and get to the bottom of this.
The two men set out and journeyed back to the nearby town. As the approached the man’s house they over hear the man telling his neighbor. “I did not know how I would make Pesach; I didn’t know how I was going to feed my family. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Eliyahu Hanavi showed up with food for us!”
It’s a beautiful story and I especially was taken aback for it also touches a personal cord, my family also experienced a similar “act of Eliyahu”.
One example is a story I’ve been told countless times since I was a kid. A month after my parents immigrated to this country, my mother quickly got a job in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kol haKavod to many New Yorkers who have these daily rigorous commutes to and from work. My mother had to quickly learn this new system, which was obviously most difficult since she did not speak a word of English. For this job route, she needed to switch numerous trains to get to this location. During the first week of this new experience, instead of taking the local train, she mistakenly took the express and ended up north of the City. It was a culture shock to be in a train station and not seeing one familiar face. Imagine yourself in this woman’s shoes – a month ago, she was in a familiar setting of the comfortable confines of her own people, her own language, and her own country. And now, she is getting a guided tour by the New York City transit system of one of the worst neighborhoods in the country. Welcome to New York! Then, out of nowhere, comes this Chassidic old man who just happens to speak Hebrew. He calmed my mother down and guided her to the right train en-route back to her life.
It’s a powerful message that the Rebbi taught the Chassid. We must not look for Eliyahu for we ourselves have the capability to be that savior. It’s our jobs as Jews to look after our fellow perhaps then that will bring the redemption