Talmudic Ethics: Lessons from Rabbinic Stories About Elijah, the Prophet who Never Died

The ancient sages of the Talmud used stories as a method to teach people how to behave ethically. Elijah stories remain extremely popular today and he becomes an important figure in Jewish folklore and Chassidic tales. Elijah is supposed to show up at every Jewish circumcision and at the Passover Seder. This paper will examine the Elijah stories that appear in rabbinic literature, principally the Talmud. The diverse roles he plays include: (a) miracle worker, rescuer, and healer; (b) discloser of heavenly secrets; (c) helper and comforter of the poor; (d) promoter of social justice; (e) teacher and scholar; and (f) punisher of the wicked.