The holy Rebbe of Ruzhin zt”l, told the following story:
There was once a wealthy and God-fearing man devoted to mitzvos. One of his favorite mitzvos was preparing Eliyahu’s Cup for the Seder night. Every year, he lovingly polished a magnificent golden goblet and enhanced its brilliance so it sparkled as a fitting tribute to Eliyahu Hanavi. The man also spared no expense in purchasing the finest aged wine for the cup, ensuring it was worthy of the esteemed guest.
However, the man’s fortunes declined until he was forced to sell his possessions to support his family. Yet, he steadfastly held onto the goblet, cherishing it above all else as a symbol of his devotion to the mitzvah.
The blessed days of Nissan approached, and the goblet was once again displayed prominently in his home, bringing joy to the family despite their dire circumstances.
One year, as Pesach approached, his family found themselves destitute. They lacked even the basics for the chag—matzah, wine, and other essentials. The man reluctantly resolved to sell the cherished goblet to provide for his family. His wife, however, objected firmly. She insisted that the goblet belonged to Eliyahu Hanavi and could not be sold under any circumstances.
When her husband asked how they could celebrate Pesach without selling it, she replied with unwavering faith: “We must trust in Hashem, who provides sustenance from the horns of wild oxen to the eggs of lice. Surely, He will send us salvation.” Seeing his wife’s resolute faith, the man abandoned his plan to sell the goblet and placed his trust in Hashem.
On Erev Pesach, the man left for shul early, preferring not to witness the family’s lack of everything. He immersed himself in the mikveh and spiritually prepared for the holiday through tefillah and Torah study.
When he returned home after Maariv, he was astonished. The table was laden with matzos, wine, and all the traditional Pesach foods. In the kitchen, he found meat, fish, and an array of festive dishes.
Overwhelmed, he asked his wife where all these provisions had come from. She explained:
“After you left, a distinguished elderly guest arrived with a radiant and majestic appearance. He requested to be a guest in our home for the Seder. I explained that we had nothing, but he reassured me not to worry and brought in a cart filled with all the chag’s necessities. Before leaving for shul, he asked us to begin the Seder without him if he delayed and to wait for him when the time came to set out Eliyahu’s Cup.”
The man rejoiced and thanked Hashem for His abundant kindness. During the Seder, at the moment of ךְָתָמֲח ךְֹפְשׁ (Pour out Your wrath...), the couple saw the same radiant guest re-enter their home. To their astonishment, it was none other than Eliyahu Hanavi who entered joyfully and drank from his exquisite goblet.
Before departing, he declared: “Because of your devotion and refusal to sell my magnificent goblet, Heaven sent me to bring blessings to your home. From now on, you will never lack with Hashem’s help.”
Indeed, the man soon regained his wealth and honored the mitzvah of Eliyahu’s Cup with even greater splendor.
When the Rhuziner Rebbe concluded this story, he would add: “The husband, who initially considered selling the goblet, merited to see Eliyahu the Prophet once. But the wife, whose devotion and faith were unwavering, merited to see Eliyahu Hanavi twice!”
