#153: Machshavah
In many households, it is customary to sing zemirot about Eliyahu HaNavi, who will announce the Redemption according to tradition, before or after Havdalah. The song is first mentioned in the Machzor Vitri (siman 203). What is the basis for this custom?
The Sefer HaManhig writes that the Gemara (Eiruvin 43a) states Eliyahu will not arrive on Friday, so as not to trouble the Jewish people while preparing for Shabbat. We therefore mention his name after Shabbat in the hope that he will arrive as soon as possible.
The Abudraham offers an additional reason based upon the famous Talmudic statement (Shabbat 118b) that if the Jewish people observe Shabbat properly twice, they will be redeemed immediately. Thus, we express our hope that if we as a nation have all observed Shabbat, hopefully Eliyahu HaNavi will arrive bearing good news.
When we recite Havdalah and sing about Eliyahu HaNavi after Shabbat in the current times, let us have special kavanah. The kavanah that we are indeed attempting to observe Shabbat as an entire unified nation, and that Eliyahu HaNavi indeed reveals himself to us, heralding the final redemption speedily in our days.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
