Mentioning Eliyahu Hanavi on Motzei Shabbos

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Mentioning Eliyahu Hanavi on Motzei Shabbos:[1]

It is accustomed to mention [the name of] Eliyahu Hanavi on Motzei Shabbos after Havdala[2] as a prayer that he should come and proclaim the redemption.[3]

 

Eliyahu Hanavi writes the merits of the Jewish people:[4]

During the time of Motzei Shabbos, Eliyahu Hanavi sits in Gan Eden under the tree of life and writes the merits of the Jewish people. It is for this reason that we mention Eliyahu on Motzei Shabbos.

Different Customs in mentioning Eliyahu: [5]

Some have a custom to recite all the verses which mention Eliyahu [see next]. Others[6] write one is to say the name Eliyahu a total of 130 times. Some recite Eliyahu Hanavi 40 times, Eliyahu Hatishbi 40 times, Eliyahu Hagiladi 40 times and then recite again each one three times, concluding with Eliyahu Hanavi for a total of 130 times. They conclude “Bimiheira Yavo Eileinu Im Moshiach Ben David”.

Segula to prevent forgetfulness and to bring a successful week:[7]

The Tur mentions the following custom: Some have a custom to recite all the verses that mention Eliyahu and doing so is a Segula for one’s memory and to have a successful week.

Should one mention Eilyahu Hanavi also on Motzei Yom Tov?[8]

It is not customary to mention Eilyahu Hanavi on Motzei Yom Tov.[9]

 

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[1] Admur 295:5; Rama 295:1; Tur 295:1 and 299; Hamanhig Hilchos Shabbos 71; Abudarham

[2] It used to be customary to mention Eliyahu Hanavi in Shul with the entire congregation in unison being led by the Chazan. [Abudarham; brought in Bach 295] This however is no longer the custom today, and rather everyone simply mentions it in his home. [Bach 295]

[3] The reason: The reason for why he is mentioned specifically on Motzei Shabbos is because Eliyahu could not come on Friday due to it being a disturbance for the Jewish people which are preparing for Shabbos. [Admur ibid; M”A 295:1; Tur 295:1; Eiruvin 43a] Likewise, he could not come on Shabbos if we hold there is an Issur of Techumin above 10 Tefachim. [Admur ibid; M”A 295:1; Levush 295; See Admur 401:1; Machatzis Hashekel ion M”A bid; Olas Shabbos 295] Therefore, after Shabbos we pray that he should immediately come, since Shabbos has passed and he is now able to come. [Admur ibid; Tur 295:1; Levush 295:1] See Shaareiy Geula “Haemuna Vehatzefuya” 7

[4] Elya Raba 295:9 brought in Kaf Hachaim 295:19; 300:5

[5] Ketzos Hashulchan 100 footnote 3

[6] Elya Raba 295:7 brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 100 footnote 3; Kaf Hachaim 295:20

[7] Tur 299

[8] Bach 295; P”M 295 A”A 1; Elya Raba 295:10; Tosefes Raba 295:3; Kaf Hachaim 295:19

[9] The reason: As it was already mentioned in the previous Motzei Shabbos and there is hence no reason to repeat it again that same week. Alternative, it is because the coming of Eliahu to proclaim the redemption is more connected with Shabbos, as it states that if the Jewish people guarded two Shabbos the Messiah would arrive. [Bach ibid; See also Hamanhig and Abudarham ibid who mentioned this latter reason] Alternatively, the reason is because the Messiah can come on Yom Tov as opposed to Shabbos. [Initial understanding of P”M ibid that the prohibition of Techumin on Yom Tov is only a rabbinical, although he later rejects this and concludes that really it is biblical just like Shabbos] Alternatively, the reason is because we celebrate two days of Yom Tov, and once it has been pushed off it is pushed off. [Elya Raba ibid; Tosefes Raba ibid]

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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