Becoming Elijah

The biblical Elijah was a loner, declaring or complaining again and again: I alone remain. Yet gradually, he was welcomed into Jewish ritual life, including some of the family's most meaningful moments. These moments he continues to enrich with his imagined presence. He is anticipated at each Passover seder, the most familial event in the Jewish calendar. When a baby boy is circumcised, Elijah is invited to preside and witness, occupying a ceremonial chair. And every Saturday night, as the Sabbath departs, his name is invoked as part of Havdalah. Each of these is a rite of passage. The seder celebrates liberation from slavery, meant to be experienced anew. Through circumcision, the infant enters the covenant of Abraham. Havdalah distinguishes between light and dark, marking the transition from Sabbath holiness to the mundane weekday world. All three rituals are liminal (threshold) moments, fittingly enhanced by Elijah, the liminal personality-part human, part angel-the mysterious stranger who spans heaven and earth, virtuoso of the in-between. Book jacket.

The story of the prophet Elijah’s transformation from fierce zealot to compassionate hero and cherished figure in Jewish tradition “In a series on Jewish Lives, this volume is about the Jewish life—the one that goes on forever. Becoming Elijah blends meticulous scholarship with bold literary and poetic imagination. Don’t miss it!”—Arthur Green, author of Judaism for the World “The author’s erudite prose and masterful command of history and faith traditions bring his subject to vibrant life. This is an edifying and accessible chronicle of a towering religious figure.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) In the Bible Elijah is a zealous prophet, attacking idolatry and injustice, championing God. He performs miracles, restoring life and calling down fire. When his earthly life ends, he vanishes in a whirlwind, carried off to heaven in a fiery chariot. Was this a spectacular death, or did Elijah escape death entirely? The latter view prevailed. Though residing in heaven, Elijah revisits earth—to help, rescue, enlighten, and eventually herald the Messiah. Because of his messianic role, Jews open the door for Elijah during each seder—the meal commemorating liberation from slavery and anticipating final redemption. How did this zealot turn into a compassionate hero—apparently the most popular figure in Jewish tradition? Becoming Elijah explores this question, tracing how Elijah develops from the Bible to Rabbinic Judaism, Kabbalah, and Jewish ritual (as well as Christianity and Islam). His transformation is pertinent and inspirational for our polarized, fanatical world.

One in a series of twelve books by Gene Getz examining role models of the Old and New Testaments in situations relevant to modern times.

Angels rule, vampires serve, and passions ignite in the first four novels of the Guild Hunter series by New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh. Angels’ Blood Archangel’s Kiss Archangel’s Consort Archangel’s Blade

The estimated Hispanic population of the United States was 45.5 million in 2007, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constitute 15 percent of the nation's total population.The Latino population in the United States will triple in size, and according to the Census projections, Hispanics will make up 29 percent of the United States population by 2050.This book offers suggestions for training Hispanic leaders who will be involved in ministry in various regions of the United States. The findings of this research project produced information, understanding, and direction that can contribute to the imperative efforts to train emerging leaders for Hispanic groups everywhere.The principles revealed in this study of Hispanic leadership training will prove effective in empowering leaders of other groups in the United States and other countries.

Master storyteller Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Honor novel, featuring his trademark humor and unique narrative voice, is now part of the Scholastic Gold line! Elijah of Buxton, recipient of the Newbery Honor and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. This edition includes exclusive bonus content!Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. Elijah's the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that -- not to mention for being the best at chunking rocks and catching fish. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fra-gile" boy who's scared of snakes and tends to talk too much. But everything changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Now it's up to Elijah to track down the thief -- and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him, if only he can find the courage to get back home.

Is it really possible to connect with God? Can we find spirituality in Judaism? The answer to both these questions is yes. Traditionally, Judaism teaches that we connect with God through the performance of the commandments, the mitzvot (from the Aramaic word tzavta meaning connection). But what if we are not mitzvah-observant in the traditional ways? Can we still experience a palpable closeness to God and have a sense that we are all connected as one? To this question, our sages also answer yes. Through the meditative quieting of the mind, we can directly experience that "still small voice." It is the awesome voice of infinite intelligence that created and upholds our world with compassion and justice. When we repeatedly experience it, we enliven its qualities into our lives; we "walk in God's ways." When we do so, we uplift not only ourselves, but the world around us.

Sabbath. --Book Jacket.