Selections on Prophet Elijah (vegetarian): From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 1 of 2

In celebration of Prophet Elijah’s (vegetarian) Feast Day, we are pleased to present selections from the Talmud about Prophet Elijah.

Prophet Elijah and the Heavenly College.

“[…] Elijah used to appear frequently in the college of Rabbi. On one of the days during new-moon, it was a bright day, and Elijah did not appear; and when he questioned Him thereafter the reason why, He rejoined: It takes time until I awake Abraham, wash his hands, await until he prays, and bring him afterwards to sleep again. The same I do with Isaac, and the same with Jacob. Rabbi questioned Him again: Why do you not awake all of them at the same time? ‘This I am not allowed, as it is to be feared then, if they should all pray together, they would bring the Messiah before His time.’

And Rabbi asked Him: Is their equal to be found in this world? And He said: Yea! There are Rabbi Hyya and his sons. Rabbi then ordered a fast-day, and placed Rabbi Hyya and his sons on the altar, and when they came to the benediction, ‘He who causes the wind to blow,’ a wind came, and when they came to the words, ‘He who causes rain,’ rain came. When, thereafter, they were about to say the benediction of ‘resurrection,’ the world began to tremble, and in Heaven it was questioned, ‘Who has revealed the secret to mortals?’ And Elijah was found guilty […]. He then appeared on the altar as a fiery bear, and scattered them.”

Elijah meets Rabba Bar Abuhu.

“[…] Rejoined Rabba: My circumstances hardly allow me to study the four necessary sections (Festivals, Damages, Women, and Holiness); should I undertake to study the remaining two, which are not used at the present time? Elijah then asked, What does he mean? And he answered: I cannot make my livelihood. He then took him to paradise and told him to take from the leaves lying on the floor in the garden, and he did so. While going out he heard someone saying: Who else has consumed his share in the world to come as Rabba did? He then shook his garment, and the leaves fell out. However, his garment retained the smell of them, and he sold it for three thousand dinars, and he donated them to his sons-in-law.”