Elijah
Participant: There is an extra cup of wine on every Passover table. We call it the Cup of Elijah. It reminds us on this day, when we look far back into our past, that we must also look far ahead to the future. We have always dared to hope that a time will come when all people will be at peace with each other, when no one will be afraid or in need, and justice will be everywhere. There is an ancient belief that when that perfect time is near, Elijah the Prophet will announce its coming. Then the world will be filled with goodness, as this cup is filled with wine. We open our door to welcome Elijah and his message of peace. We open our door as a promise that we will try to live in such a way that the perfect time will be brought closer by what we do.
Participant: This door could be the temple door, opened in Jerusalem, on the Seder night to receive those who came out foot from all around the country to appear in the place where God can be most intimately encountered.
Participant: This door could be the door of every synagogue, opened throughout the ages to demonstrate Jewish innocence before the slanders who spread rumors of terrible things Jews did behind closed portals on Seder night.
Participant: This door could be the door of every Jewish home, open before hostile neighbors to show that the Seder celebration was meant to harm none, but to promise justice for the oppressed – and retribution for the oppressors
Participant: This door has also been opened by our oppressors themselves: by the Spanish Inquisition, taking our people out to false trials and executions; By the SS troops of Hitler, dragging our people out from there hiding places for their dining tables; by the secret police of the Soviet KGB, hustling our people off the torture in prison or to the Siberian wastes.
Participant: But Doors have two sides. We spend some moments now recalling how the door has been opened to throw us into the terrifying night of suffering, but let’s also recall how it is been opened to rescue us from that night and hold aloft the hope of suffering end.
Together:
Ei-li-ya-hu ha-na-vi,
Ei-li-ya-hu ha-tish-bi;
Ei-li-ya-hu, Ei-li-ya-hu,
Ei-li-ya-hu ha-gil-a-di.
Bi-me-hei-ra ve-ya-mei-nu,
ya-vo ei-lei-nu;
im ma-shi-ach ben Da-vid,
im ma-shi-ach ben Da-vid.
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