Dear everyone — yes, this week we read of Elijah, this Passover, we open the door for Elijah, we welcome the newborn with the chair of Elijah, we usher in the new week with the chanting of welcome, to Elijah. How will we know . . . whom will we ask?
It will come as no surprise, Elijah comes in many forms — “Great Expectations”
Out of Love, the door is opened for Elijah . . . is this “Great Expectations” — over and over again?
The Good News: we are promised reconciliation through Elijah, the Bad News: it remains elusive
The note: Shabbat HaGadol (“The Great Shabbat” שבת הגדול) is the Shabbat immediately before Passover. There is a special Haftarah (Prophetic) reading on this Shabbat from the book of the Prophet Malachi (in which we are promised reconciliation with Gd and with each other through the messenger Elijah).
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Great Expectations
Bildungsroman
Complex and multifaceted, “Great Expectations” is a Victorian Bildungsroman or initiatory tale, which focuses on a protagonist (the “one” who delivers “the message” — who is Pip — who (or what) is Elijah) . . . the one who greatly matures (changes) over the course of the book. Great Expectations describes Pip’s initial frustration upon leaving home, followed by a long and difficult period that is punctuated with conflicts between his desires and the values of the established order. During this time he re-evaluates his life and re-enters society, but only with a new and greater understanding.
