SIGNIFICANCE OF ELIYAHU HANABI IN THE BENE ISREAL RITUAL



This is a ceremony of thanksgiving to HaShem through the Prophet Elijah for all the good things that have happened to us.

The Bene-Israel have a great affinity to Elijah the Prophet, as he functioned mainly in the kingdom of Israel, before the kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians (around 735-720BCE). The Bene Israel carried with them stories of his deeds and prowess and these were transmitted from generation to generation. Eliyahu Hannabi is the epitome of a good Cohen and is identified with Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha Cohen (Gadol). He is the one who will bring us good tidings, because he is the living Prophet and will promote the warmth of love between the generations.

The ceremony itself is adopted from the early chapters of Leviticus (Vaikrah), as was practiced by the Cohanim. Offerings of incense, along with lambs, calves, goats, bulls, and meal offerings of grain, cereal and oil were made at the Altar. But when the Bene Israel settled in India, they opted to use only parched rice or Pohas as a meal offering so as not to offend the feelings of their Hindu neighbors, who were vegetarian.

A platter containing parched rice, a variety of five fruits and scented flowers or cloves were substituted as symbols of the burnt offerings used during the time of the first temple.

The first song sung in the Eliyahu Hannabi ceremony is called “Eliyahu Hannabi”, in praise of the Prophet Elijah. Then is sung a portion from Genesis: “Va Iten Lekha…” which is a prayer with the choicest blessings selected from the Torah.

This is followed with the prayer “Ha Mal’akh Ha Goel Othi Mikol Ra Yebarekh Et Hanearim V’Yekarev Bahem Shemi veshem Abothai Abraham, Ve Yitzhak Veyidgu Larov Bekerev Ha Aretz”. This is the blessing of Jacob to his grandchildren Ephraim and Menashe, sons of Joseph, so that they should prosper and multiply and become full tribes in their own right. This blessing translated, means, “May the Angel, who blessed me and redeemed me from all evil, bless these young ones, so that they may be called by my name and by the name of my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, and they will grow and fill the land.” At this point in the ceremony, the elders of the community bless the younger generation.

As is customary, blessings are recited before eating from the ceremonial platter:

  • We bless “Bore miney b’samim” on sweet smelling flowers or cloves. While flowers are decorative, it is more correct to use cloves (tsiporen) or cinnamon (kinamon), as they are mentioned among the eleven spices to be used in making the Ketoret – a mixture of ground spices which were burnt as incense during sacrificial ritual.

  • The blessing “Bore pri haetz” is said on two fruits of the tree such as dates and apples and the blessing “Bore pri ha’adama” is said on two fruits of the ground such as bananas and melons. Preference is given to the seven fruits mentioned in the Torah: dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates, wheat, barley and olives.

  • The platter includes one new seasonal fruit which can be either “haetz” or “ha’adama” on which the “Shecheyanu” blessing is said.

  • The blessing “Bore miney mezonot” is recited on eating the meal offering which is a mixture of washed/well-drained/uncooked parched rice, freshly grated coconut, sugar, cardamom powder, raisins, finely sliced almonds and pistachio nuts. The Bene Israel call this mixture “Malida” which loosely translated means sharing generously.

  • Every Rosh Chodesh we read that among the offerings brought to the Temple was also “solet blula b’shemen”. To symbolize this offering, the Bene Israel added to the platter chapatis, deep fried flat bread made of Semolina.

This is followed by a meal.

The “Eliyahoo Hanabi” ceremony is done for all auspicious and joyous occasions such as: moving into a new home, recovering from a serious illness, upon become engaged for marriage, at the henna ceremony and other life milestones.