The Pesach, or Passover, Seder meal has been eaten; the third cup of wine poured and Barech (the grace after meals) has been said. Now a fourth cup of wine is poured, one of which is set at an empty place. Elijah, an honored guest is missing, but awaited with great hope. Will this be the year Elijah comes according to Malachi 4:5 and announces the coming of the long-awaited Messiah?

The children sing: "Elijah the Prophet, Elijah the Tisbite, Elijah, Elijah, Elijah the Gileadite. Speedily and in our days, come to us with the Messiah, son of David, with the Messiah, son of David." One child goes to the door and throws it wide-but to no avail. Elijah is not there. The cup is poured out. They will wait another year.

Passover and Seder commemorate the past-a time when the Jews were delivered from slavery in Egypt. The last and greatest plague killed all the firstborn in Egypt except where the blood of a sacrified lamb had been smeared on the doorpost. Those homes "covered" in this blood, were "passed over" by the Angel of Death. Only then did Pharoah release the Hebrew slaves to escape to the wilderness under Moses' leadership. This mass exodus established the nation of Israel. While in the wilderness the theocratic government, daily laws and societal structure of this new nation came to be.

Many years later, Elijah, one of the most powerful prophets of Jewish history, represented a nation that was past its prime, divided and astray from worshiping the One God and headed to destruction. He and other prophets, however, spoke of a time to come after Israel and Judah had suffered the consequences of their sins. Malachi prophesied that Elijah would be the one to announce the coming of the messianic age-the future hope of the Jews.

The Jews revere their past and teach it, as commanded, to their children. Each year at Passover, it is recounted. At the same time, the Jews look to the future the ancient prophets foresaw-the coming of the Messiah and a new age of glory for Israel. It is not known for certain when Elijah's cup was added to the Pesach observance and became an integral part. But it is fitting that this revered prophet should have his place as the link from the past to the future. At the next Seder the ritual be be re-enacted and again the hope will be dramatized. And as the Jews say, "Next year in Jerusalem", they will be hoping, "Next year Elijah will come and drink from his cup."

Learn more about this author, Martha Leonard.
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