Eliyahu HaNavi (piyyut)
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"Eliyahu HaNavi" (Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא, romanized: ʾĒliyyāhū Hannāvī, lit. 'Elijah the Prophet') is a Hebrew Jewish piyyut sung by Ashkenazi (and some Sefardi) communities on Motza'ei Shabbat.[1] The author of the piyyut is unknown, but it was likely written before the 11th century.[2]
Content
The refrain of the piyyut is an entreaty for Elijah the Prophet to return with the Messiah. This is based on an interpretation of Malachi 3:23,[3] suggesting that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. Each verse describes and praises the prophet.
Tunes
The most common tune used today first appeared in print in the Braunschweig-Tempel Hymnbook published in Germany. A similar tune is found in Arno Nadel's Sabbatgesange published in Berlin in 1937. Despite the early appearance of this tune in Germany, the rhythmic pattern suggests a Polish-Lithuanian provenance. Other tunes are found in ethnomusicological publications and Yizkor books, but are seldom heard today.[2]
The piyyut is sung on Motza'ei Shabbat once Shabbat has ended.[1][4]
It is also sung in Ashkenazi communities during the opening of the door for Elijah during the Passover seder.
Poetic structure
The first word of every verse is אִישׁ (a man), referring to Elijah the Prophet. The second word of each verse forms an alphabetical acrostic. A refrain is sung in between triplets of verses.
References
- ^ a b "אליהו הנביא". Invitation to Piyyut. National Library of Israel.
- ^ a b Levin, Neil W. "Variations on Eliahu Hanavi". Milken Archive of Jewish Music.
- ^ "Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of GOD." See Sefaria.
- ^ Tefilat Yiśraʾel hu seder tefilah le-ḵol ha-šanah (in Hebrew). Joachimsthal. 1857.