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Torah Personalities
Who Was Pinchas? Fascinating Facts About Elijah the Prophet and the Secret of His Eternal Life
Discover the connection between Pinchas and Elijah the Prophet, the mystery of his 300-year lifespan, revelations of Elijah throughout history, and his role in announcing the coming of Mashiach
- Yonatan Halevi
- | Updated
Photo: shutterstockThis week’s Torah portion, Parashat Pinchas, is named after Pinchas, who zealously defended the honor of God and killed Zimri ben Salu, the prince of the tribe of Shimon. According to many Torah commentators, Pinchas lived for more than 300 years and is identified with Elijah. Here is a fascinating collection of facts you may not have known.
Pinchas is famous for his zealous act on behalf of God
He became renowned for killing Zimri ben Salu, one of the leaders of the tribe of Shimon, together with Kozbi bat Tzur, the daughter of a Midianite prince, during the sin of Baal Peor in Shittim. Following this act, Pinchas was granted a special covenant of priesthood: “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace. And it shall be for him and for his descendants after him a covenant of eternal priesthood.”After the passing of his father Elazar, Pinchas served as the Kohen Gadol. He later commanded the 12,000 warriors who fought against Midian in revenge for the events at Shittim. The Torah portion of “Pinchas” in the Book of Book of Numbers is named after him.
Pinchas lived for hundreds of years and is identified as Elijah the Prophet
The Midrash states: “Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: ‘Pinchas is Elijah.’ The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: ‘You brought peace between Me and Israel in this world; in the future as well, you will be the one destined to bring peace between Me and Israel, as it says: “Behold, I send you Elijah the Prophet.”’”The commentator David Kimhi also explains that Pinchas was Elijah the Prophet and lived for more than 300 years. Regarding the verse in the Book of Judges, “And Pinchas the son of Elazar, the son of Aaron, stood before Him in those days,” Radak explains that the verse traces his lineage back to Aaron because people would otherwise find it difficult to believe that the same Pinchas was still alive after more than three centuries.
Radak further explains that Pinchas merited such extraordinary longevity because God promised him life and peace for his zealousness at Shittim, as it says: “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace.”
However, Radak also notes that there is a disagreement among the Sages regarding whether Pinchas was truly Elijah. Some held that Elijah descended from the tribe of Benjamin.
Elijah the Prophet is one of only two people in Scripture who never died
Aside from Enoch mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Elijah is the only person explicitly described in the Bible as ascending to Heaven alive without experiencing death and burial.His departure is described in the Book of Kings: “As they continued walking and speaking, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated between them, and Elijah ascended to Heaven in a whirlwind.”
Even after ascending to Heaven, Elijah’s connection to this world did not cease
Elijah continues to descend on missions in the world of the living. According to Jewish tradition, he is present at every brit milah and at the Passover Seder. He appears in various forms to righteous individuals and will ultimately reveal himself to all Israel as the herald of redemption.The revelation of Elijah to human beings is known as “Gilui Eliyahu”
“Gilui Eliyahu,” the revelation of Elijah, is considered one of the levels of divine inspiration granted only to select righteous individuals.
Elijah was said to appear frequently to the Tannaim, Amoraim, Geonim, and even the early medieval Torah scholars. During the era of the Sages, such revelations were considered relatively well known and documented.
In every generation, select individuals merit revelations of Elijah
Among those traditionally believed to have experienced “Gilui Eliyahu” are Moshe Cordovero, Isaac Luria, and Israel ben Eliezer.
A student of Elijah ben Solomon Zalman testified that he saw among the Gaon’s writings a commentary beginning with the words: “Elijah, of blessed memory, told me…”
Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer recorded eleven occasions on which he merited a revelation of Elijah.
Elijah the Prophet will announce the coming of Mashiach
The concluding verses of biblical prophecy contain the promise: “Behold, I send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of God.”
(Book of Malachi 3:23)
The Talmud states that Elijah will not appear on Shabbat or Friday
The Gemara in Eruvin teaches that Elijah does not appear on Shabbat or on Friday. Therefore, it became customary to pray for his arrival immediately after Shabbat.
This is the source of the famous song sung at the Melaveh Malkah meal after Shabbat: “Elijah the Prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah the Giladite, may he come to us speedily…”
The piyut follows the order of the Hebrew alphabet and describes Elijah’s mission in the world.
Elijah will prepare the inner path for the coming of Mashiach
As it says in the verse: “Behold, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me…” (Book of Malachi 3:1)
According to Jewish tradition, Elijah will resolve the unanswered questions and disputes of Torah law.
Elijah will bring purity and peace to Israel
He will restore harmony between parents and children and between the Jewish people and their Father in Heaven, as it says: “And he shall turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers.” (Book of Malachi 3:24)
May it be God’s will that we merit his arrival speedily in our days, Amen.
