Image by iStock

By Laura E. Adkins March 31, 2017

Buried between awkward family Seder photos and the world’s least titillating matzot, I recently stumbled upon this gem while searching for “Passover” stock photos, supposedly depicting Elijah the Prophet:

On Passover, Jews traditionally leave a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah and open the door for him to join at the conclusion of the Passover meal.

This isn’t really what most people think of when they think of Elijah the prophet.

Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) is traditionally depicted as looking more like this:

Image by Flickr

I have so, so many questions. Here are four of them:

4) As I noted, Elijah theoretically joins the table, should he join, at the conclusion of the Passover meal. So why does it appear as if no one else has eaten?

3) Why does Elijah look so grumpy? Is it because he is bracing himself to answer inane questions of Jewish law?

2) As I also noted, Jews leave the door open and pour an extra cup of wine at the Passover table just in case this monumentous occasion should come to pass. So, where’s Elijah’s wine?

1) I can only assume that Elijah the prophet is a quintessential nice Jewish boy. So, couldn’t he have at least thrown on a kippah (yarmulke) for this occasion?

Laura E. Adkins is the Forward’s contributing network editor. Contact her at adkins@forward.com or on Twitter, @Laura_E_Adkins.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount