Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ‎) was a prophet and miracle worker who was born around 900 BCE and died in Jericho in 849 BCE. He is mostly associated with being invited into Passover seders with the fifth ceremonial, untouched cup of wine. Over time, Elijah has also come to signify caring for strangers or the homeless and considering those who are less fortunate. His name is also heard weekly at the closing of Shabbat with the Havdalah service and during a bris.

The Jews are not alone in telling the story of Elijah, as he has been said to be with Moses during the Transfiguration of Jesus and also appears in the Quran.