Seeking Eliyahu HaNavi
A man once had a strong urge to see Eliyahu HaNavi, and he went to his Rav to discuss this with him. The Rav said, "Next week will be Rosh Hashanah. Travel to a certain city and stay by a certain widow, and there you will see Eliyahu HaNavi. However, make sure you bring along a lot of provisions, since this woman is very poor and she is not able to put up guests."
The man was very pleased. He loaded a wagon with food and drink and went on his way with his wife to that city. When he arrived, he asked the townsfolk for directions to the house of that certain widow. They told him that there were two widows with the same name in that city, one lived alone and the other one had four children.
The man thought to himself, certainly, the Rav meant the widow with four orphans since he told me to bring a lot of provisions. The man went to the house of the widow and asked to stay with her for Rosh Hashanah.
"How can I host you?!" replied the widow nervously, "I am having difficulty feeding my children, how can I feed you?" the man replied, "Do not worry. I have brought enough food for all of us."
She said, "And where will you sleep? I do not have a bed for you." He answered, "Don't worry. My wife and I will sleep on mattresses on the floor." The widow agreed and for the first time in their lives the children celebrated the holiday with much splendor and the joy was immense. This is how they spent Rosh Hashanah.
After Yom Tov, the man went home, went back to his Rav, and said, "I did as you instructed, now how can I be able to see Eliyahu HaNavi?"
The Rav was amazed and said, "What?! The entire time you were there you did not see Eliyahu HaNavi? If this is so, Yom Kippur is approaching. Pack your things and go back to her, then on Yom Kippur you will certainly merit to see Eliyahu HaNavi!"
So once again, the man loaded his wagon with much food and drink and went to the house of the widow. When he arrived at the house, he overheard the four orphans asking their mother, "How will we be able to fast on Yom Kippur? We are hungry, and it has already been a week since we ate."
Their mother replied, "My dear children, On Rosh Hashanah, HaKadosh Baruch Hu sent us Eliyahu HaNavi, and he brought much food with him. Perhaps for Yom Kippur as well we will be worthy, and Eliyahu HaNavi will come back and bring us food for the Seudah Ha'mafsekes."
Just at that moment the man opened the door and went in. He then understood an amazing thing you do not have to go far to look for Eliyahu HaNavi. The secret is that Eliyahu HaNavi is hidden within every person and can be seen with how one interacts with his fellow man.
The Pasuk (Devarim 30:14) mentions three things, mouth, heart, and deed. Eliyahu HaNavi can be a part of us in all of these ways. By saying the right thing at the right time, one can make someone feel better. By thinking of another at the right time, he can be considerate of another. By doing something for others he can help another person. This is how the Torah and Eliyahu HaNavi can be a part of us in speech, thought, and deed! (B'Nifleosecha Asicha)
Reprinted from the Parshas Nitzavim 5786 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg's Torah U'Tefillah.
