www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Elijah's cup (Oh AAAAAlex!)

Alex,

Didn't want to clutter up the Scripture thread.

Yes, at a Passover Seder, a cup is set out (and filled!) for Elijah. It's also not uncommon to set a place at the table for him - and for any stranger who might come knocking during the meal. (As a kid, I always wondered what would happen if someone actually DID come to the door...)

There's a prescribed place in the Seder where Elijah & all needy folk are invited in. At our house someone would always get up & open the front door. Depending on sleight-of-hand skills, wit and chutzpah of those present, the table might be jiggled to make the wine move, or while all were distracted ("LOOK! THERE'S HALLEY'S COMET!!) someone might grab a quick gulp from the goblet. (Not all religious traditions are totally serious... It also wasn't unusual for the kids to take this opportunity to steal the Afikomen.)

So anyway, as we know from both Jesus' and John the Baptist's reception in the Gospels, Jewish folk expected/expect Elijah to return before the Messiah came. Let's not get started here on whether or not most Jewish folks have any expectation that there has been/is/will be a Messiah. As a kid, I NEVER was introduced to that notion except as a line of annual pious ritual, but I guess that's the origin....
As a child, I rather had the sense that Elijah was a sort of cosmic security guard/announcer (of what, I had no idea)/VIP. Inviting him in at the Seder was ALWAYS important - and not just because you got to get up & run to the door, which was awfully nice for a rumbly-bellied kid squirming through a fairly long annual service.

So I dunno if I've explained it sufficiently....


Sharon

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Hi Sharon

A belated GUT YONTIF!

You wrote:"...It's also not uncommon to set a place at the table for him - and for any stranger who might come knocking during the meal..."

We do this for Christmas Eve supper. I remember by Grandmother doing and also cracking the door just in case...

I had the best chocolate cake made with matzah meal, it was HEAVENLY!!

mark

Mark,

My personal favorite are matzoh meal latkes. Gotta go buy a couple dozen eggs & make some...


My father is a chemist. He always got a huge kick out of Passover recipes - questioning the logic of banning yeast, but allowing other chemical rising agents...


Hag Sameach to you too!


Sharon

Christ is Risen!

I am a borderline moron when it comes to Judaism and so I am likely mistaken, but I thought the Kos Eliyahu also had to do with resolving rabbinical disagreements over whether four or five cups of wine should be drunk at a seder. Most Jews drink four and pour the fifth cup as Elijah's, as a sign that the question -- like other disagreements over the Talmud -- will have to await for Elijah's return for a definitive answer.

In Christ,
Theophilos

HaMeshiahh Qum! (I hope I've got that right, but probably not)

As an undergrad (more years ago than I would care to admit) I read a little book on the Eucharist which, if memory serves, identified the Matzah that Jesus (Yeshu'a) sanctified as the afikomen. Could that be right, or is my memory playing tricks on me.

(Of course this is a very Latin perspective [pomylui mene, hryshnyk], since from the Byzantine point of view, the Mystical Supper was the Supper the night before Pesach (following the Johannine tradition).

Christ is Risen!

Herb

We also leave an extra set place and glass for both the Holy Suppers at Christmas and Yordan at our house. It is always great fun for my kids to make up the extra place.

While we are on the subject of Passover, I am a huge fan of Jewish food especially Gifeltfish.

However, I am confused as to whether it is supposed to be eaten cold or warm (I buy mine in a jar)?

Also, is Borsch better chilled or hot?

Robert

Dear Robert,

Borscht is delicious chilled or hot - depending on the season!

And the fish is best chilled and served with a delicious mayonnaise sauce at room temperature!

Alex

Dear Mother Sharon,

Shalom Aleichem!

Thank you!

I'm looking into preparing a Seder for my Jewish uncle next year - didn't get around to it this year as I thought I would.

L'Chaim!

Alex

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Hi Sharon!

A good friend of mine lived with the Jewish communities in Morroco and Yemen for a couple of years doing research into their traditional dances and rituals.

The differences in the meals for Seder were amazing!

She actually baked a "flat bread" instead of matzho!!! Oh, the harosis was the BEST I've EVER had!!! She used dates and figs and apricotts and all kinds of other dried fruits! PURE HEAVEN!

hmmmm....

wonder what's in the snak cabinet????

mark

Dear friends,

I'm a little confused as to why some Christians leave a spot at Christmas? Who is it for? Also, what is "Yordan?"

There is an excellent Indian dish that Jews introduced to India. It is a very spicey and colorful lamb recipe and it is used by Indian Jews for Passover.

in Christ,
Marshall

Dear Marshall,

"Yordan" is the Feast of the Epiphany or Theophany, the Baptism of Christ in the River Yordan .

(Didn't you learn proper English in school? ).

At the Holy Suppers of the Nativity and Yordan, we leave an empty place by tradition.

Initially, the Apostles ALWAYS left an empty place at table where they ate for Christ and later for His Mother.

We can do this every day, if we so wish . . .

Later, this was reinterpreted as a place for the dead who come to join us at the Holy Supper for Christmas Eve etc.

It is marked with a candle with a black ribbon tied around it, at least up here it is.

People are welcome to join us at Holy Supper, but I can't imagine they'd want to sit in the place reserved for the dead . . .

That would really take my appetite away!

Alex

Hi Marshall

Among families with Slavic roots, there is a very special and traditional dinner that is celebrated on Christmas Eve.

In my family, the custom is to leave an empty place at in case the Holy Family comes by on their way to Bethlehem.

I'm not familiar with the Jordon custom but I think it has to do with the Theophany celebration.

mark

the Jordan customs are similar to the Nativity Svjatij Vecher

Alex,