Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ‎) was a prophet and miracle worker born around 900 BCE and died in Jericho in 849 BCE. His name is most associated with being invited in to Passover seder’s the world over with the fifth, ceremonial and untouched cup of wine. Over time Elijah has also come to signify the caring for strangers or homeless in our midst and invocation to consider those who are less fortunate.

Though the fifth cup and the seder meal is how Elijah may best be known, his name is also heard weekly at the closing of Shabbat with the Havdalah service as well as during a bris.

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