Elijah is a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, during the reign of Ahab and his Sidonian wife Jezebel (1 Kings 16 :29-34).At that time Israel was divided in two kingdoms, which happened after king Solomon died.
Wikipedia says:
ELIJAH'S CHAIR:
"At every circumcision Elijah, "the angel of the covenant," as he is called in Malachi (iii. 1), is supposed to be seated at the right hand of the sandek, upon a chair richly carved and ornamented with embroideries . Even in the salutation to the child to be circumcised is read the invitation to Elijah .
When, under the influence of Jezebel, circumcision in the northern kingdom was about to be abolished, Elijah is said to have retired to a cave. There he prayed to God (I Kings xix. 10), and complained that Israel had forsaken the covenant of the Lord; whereupon God ordained that no circumcision should take place except in the presence of Elijah."
Therefore there is a chair for Elijah in every synagogue. The one you see here is found in the Jerusalem Great Synagogue.
A lot of thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and Roger, the new captain of the team.Click on the logo in the sidebar if you want to see the other posts. This week we are looking for words beginning with E.
33 comments:
Yes, one invites Elijah in during a seder.
What an interesting blog Wil, I never knew that.
I do so enjoy your very interesting posts, Wil!! I always learn something new and that's always good! I love the history! Hope your week is going well!
I knew about the Elijah invitation during the seder but not about the chair in the synogogue.
Fascinating.
Thank you for the many interesting posts about your trip to Israel.
This is the first I have heard of Elijah's chair. Thanks for telling us.
I always learn so much from your posts, we study Elijah quite a bit in our church.
Ann
I have been reading about Eliah, but the chair was new to me. Very interesting post and a great chair.
Takk for ditt besøk og fine ord om Norge.
Klem fra Tania
How interesting is this chair, Wil! I especially like the purple sides (one of my favorite colors!)Thanks for sharing:)
Wonderful to read about Elijas chair and the significance of it.
Another fascinating piece of history! Elijah was one of my ABC topics a couple rounds ago. Great job!
Top Ten Tortures Less Painful Than Circumcision
10. Get knocked out by Mohammed Ali.
9. Pull out your fingernails.
8. Eat a pile of steaming bear crap.
7. Skin yourself alive.
6. Fall into a vat of molten iron.
5. Get run over by a train.
4. Go through a sausage grinder.
3. Saw off your legs.
2. Poke out your eyes.
1. Go To Hell
Beautiful chair. I haven't been in that synagogue in so many years. It is a grand structure inside and out as I remember.
Your posts are always so beautiful and such a painless and interesting way to learn. Thank you.
Thanks for a very interesting post. I hadn't heard of Elijah's Chair before.
A lovely and educational post, Wil.
thank you, friend
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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Have heard of this but this is quite the more info. thanks
PhenoMenon, ABCW Team
Hi Carv! I went to your blog and read the horrific stories of circumcision. It is so complicated and so connected to religion that a discussion about this is almost impossible. I can easily say: stop these barbaric practices, but I am not Jewish or Muslim. I am against any form of mutilation. Your site is good, but you are powerless and so am I. I sincerely wish you good luck with your campaign. Thank you for bringing this t o our attention. I could n't comment on your blog, but found this too important to leave it unanswered?
Very interesting take on the theme
I didn't know about the Elijah chair. Very interesting post!
Interesting ! and the chair has even a quiet modern style !
Thanks for the information and thank you for visiting my page
Another enlightening post I have read this week. That's a very special and historic chair.
Encouragement
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Bel objet du culte.
Very interesting post, Wil - this is not something I knew about.
Very interesting; thanks for sharing.
those sure were different times......
Very informative post, Wil. Thanks for sharing.
Btw, I love all those stained glass panels.
Cheers!
Tito Eric of Panglao Island
Calling by for ABC Wednesday, very interesting E.
I learn something from you every time, Wil. Of course, I knew some things but Elijah but not a lot!
I hope you are well.
K
you taught us well. are there synogogues in your place?
Thanks, Will -- this is fascinating!
i know a lot about Judaism, but this was new to me. I like the kabbalistic stories like this best.
I loved seeing this chair and reading about the chairs of Elijah! Thank you also for checking out my cousin Kenna's blog. Glad you enjoyed it!
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