Tanach
Melachim I 18 מלכים א י״ח
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וַֽיְהִי יָמִים רַבִּים וּדְבַר־יְהֹוָה הָיָה אֶל־אֵלִיָּהוּ בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁלִישִׁית לֵאמֹר לֵךְ הֵרָאֵה אֶל־אַחְאָב וְאֶתְּנָה מָטָר עַל־פְּנֵי הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃
It was many days [later], and there was a word of Adonoy to Eliyahu in the third year, [of the drought] saying, “Go appear to Achov, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”
It was many days [later], and there was a word of Adonoy to Eliyahu in the third year, [of the drought] saying, “Go appear to Achov, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”
וַיֵּלֶךְ אֵֽלִיָּהוּ לְהֵרָאוֹת אֶל־אַחְאָב וְהָרָעָב חָזָק בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
And Eliyohu went to appear to Achov, and the famine was severe in Shomron.
And Eliyohu went to appear to Achov, and the famine was severe in Shomron.
וַיִּקְרָא אַחְאָב אֶל־עֹבַדְיָהוּ אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַבָּיִת וְעֹבַדְיָהוּ הָיָה יָרֵא אֶת־יְהֹוָה מְאֹֽד׃
Achov called to Ovadyahu who was in charge of the household. Ovadyahu had great fear of Adonoy.
Achov called to Ovadyahu who was in charge of the household. Ovadyahu had great fear of Adonoy.
וַֽיְהִי בְּהַכְרִית אִיזֶבֶל אֵת נְבִיאֵי יְהֹוָה וַיִּקַּח עֹבַדְיָהוּ מֵאָה נְבִיאִים וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵם חֲמִשִּׁים אִישׁ בַּמְּעָרָה וְכִלְכְּלָם לֶחֶם וָמָֽיִם׃
And when Ezevel killed the prophets of Adonoy, Ovadyohu took one hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men in a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.
And when Ezevel killed the prophets of Adonoy, Ovadyohu took one hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men in a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.
Rashi
חמשים איש במערה אחת. וחמשים איש במערה אחרת:
Fifty men in a cave. And fifty men in another cave.
וַיֹּאמֶר אַחְאָב אֶל־עֹבַדְיָהוּ לֵךְ בָּאָרֶץ אֶל־כׇּל־מַעְיְנֵי הַמַּיִם וְאֶל כׇּל־הַנְּחָלִים אוּלַי ׀ נִמְצָא חָצִיר וּנְחַיֶּה סוּס וָפֶרֶד וְלוֹא נַכְרִית מֵהַבְּהֵמָֽה׃
And Achov said to Ovadyahu, “Go through the land to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks; perhaps we will find [some] grass and keep [some] horse[s] and mule[s] alive, and we will not be bereft of [our] animals.”
And Achov said to Ovadyahu, “Go through the land to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks; perhaps we will find [some] grass and keep [some] horse[s] and mule[s] alive, and we will not be bereft of [our] animals.”
Rashi
ולוא נכרית מהבהמה. לא תכרת כל בהמתנו ממנו:
And we will not be bereft of [our] animals. All our animals will not be cut off from us.
וַֽיְחַלְּקוּ לָהֶם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ לַעֲבׇר־בָּהּ אַחְאָב הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד לְבַדּוֹ וְעֹבַדְיָהוּ הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ־אֶחָד לְבַדּֽוֹ׃
They divided the land between them to pass through it. Achov went on one way, alone, and Ovadyahu went on one way, alone.
They divided the land between them to pass through it. Achov went on one way, alone, and Ovadyahu went on one way, alone.
וַיְהִי עֹבַדְיָהוּ בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְהִנֵּה אֵלִיָּהוּ לִקְרָאתוֹ וַיַּכִּרֵהוּ וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו וַיֹּאמֶר הַאַתָּה זֶה אֲדֹנִי אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃
As Ovadyahu was on the way, behold, Eliyahu was coming toward him. he [Ovadyahu] recognized him and fell on his face, and he said, “Is that you, my master Eliyahu?”
As Ovadyahu was on the way, behold, Eliyahu was coming toward him. he [Ovadyahu] recognized him and fell on his face, and he said, “Is that you, my master Eliyahu?”
וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אָנִי לֵךְ אֱמֹר לַאדֹנֶיךָ הִנֵּה אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃
And he said to him, “It is I. Go tell your master, ‘Here is Eliyahu.’”
And he said to him, “It is I. Go tell your master, ‘Here is Eliyahu.’”
וַיֹּאמֶר מֶה חָטָאתִי כִּֽי־אַתָּה נֹתֵן אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ בְּיַד־אַחְאָב לַהֲמִיתֵֽנִי׃
And [Ovadyahu] said, “What have I sinned that you put your servant into the hands of Achov to kill me.
And [Ovadyahu] said, “What have I sinned that you put your servant into the hands of Achov to kill me.
Rashi
להמיתני. כמו שמפרש ואומר: ורוח ה' ישאך על אשר לא אדע:
To kill me. As it [continues and] explains and states, “a wind from Adonoy will carry you away to where I do not know.”1The Gemara in Maseches Sanhedrin 39b states that he followed the same strategy used by Yaakov to protect his family from Eisav. Yaakov divided his household into two groups so that some would survive if Eisav were to attack. Alternatively, each cave could accommodate only 50 people.
חַי ׀ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אִם־יֶשׁ־גּוֹי וּמַמְלָכָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־שָׁלַח אֲדֹנִי שָׁם לְבַקֶּשְׁךָ וְאָמְרוּ אָיִן וְהִשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה וְאֶת־הַגּוֹי כִּי לֹא יִמְצָאֶֽכָּה׃
As Adonoy, your God lives, there is not a nation or a kingdom to which my master has not sent to search for you, and they have said, ‘He is not here.’ and he made the kingdoms and the nations swear that they did not find you.
As Adonoy, your God lives, there is not a nation or a kingdom to which my master has not sent to search for you, and they have said, ‘He is not here.’ and he made the kingdoms and the nations swear that they did not find you.
Rashi
כי לא ימצאכה. שאין העם יכול למצוא אותך:
That they did not find you. For the nation was unable to find you.2Below v. 12.
וְעַתָּה אַתָּה אֹמֵר לֵךְ אֱמֹר לַאדֹנֶיךָ הִנֵּה אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃
And now you say [to me] ‘Go say to your master ‘Here is Eliyohu.’
And now you say [to me] ‘Go say to your master ‘Here is Eliyohu.’
וְהָיָה אֲנִי ׀ אֵלֵךְ מֵאִתָּךְ וְרוּחַ יְהֹוָה ׀ יִֽשָּׂאֲךָ עַל אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־אֵדָע וּבָאתִי לְהַגִּיד לְאַחְאָב וְלֹא יִֽמְצָאֲךָ וַהֲרָגָנִי וְעַבְדְּךָ יָרֵא אֶת־יְהֹוָה מִנְּעֻרָֽי׃
And it will be that when I leave you, a wind from Adonoy will carry you away to where I do not know. Then I will come to tell Achov and he will not find you and he will kill me; and your servant feared Adonoy since my youth.
And it will be that when I leave you, a wind from Adonoy will carry you away to where I do not know. Then I will come to tell Achov and he will not find you and he will kill me; and your servant feared Adonoy since my youth.
הֲלֹֽא־הֻגַּד לַֽאדֹנִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂיתִי בַּהֲרֹג אִיזֶבֶל אֵת נְבִיאֵי יְהֹוָה וָאַחְבִּא מִנְּבִיאֵי יְהֹוָה מֵאָה אִישׁ חֲמִשִּׁים חֲמִשִּׁים אִישׁ בַּמְּעָרָה וָאֲכַלְכְּלֵם לֶחֶם וָמָֽיִם׃
It has been surely told to my master what I did when Ezevel killed the prophets of Adonoy. I hid one hundred of the prophets of Adonoy, fifty men in a cave, and I sustained them with bread and water.
It has been surely told to my master what I did when Ezevel killed the prophets of Adonoy. I hid one hundred of the prophets of Adonoy, fifty men in a cave, and I sustained them with bread and water.
וְעַתָּה אַתָּה אֹמֵר לֵךְ אֱמֹר לַאדֹנֶיךָ הִנֵּה אֵלִיָּהוּ וַהֲרָגָֽנִי׃ {ס}
And now you say to me, ‘Go tell your master, “Here is Eliyohu.’” He will [certainly] kill me.”
And now you say to me, ‘Go tell your master, “Here is Eliyohu.’” He will [certainly] kill me.”
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵֽלִיָּהוּ חַי יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָמַדְתִּי לְפָנָיו כִּי הַיּוֹם אֵרָאֶה אֵלָֽיו׃
And Eliyohu said, “As Adonoy of Hosts lives, before whom I have stood [served]; today, I will appear to him.”
And Eliyohu said, “As Adonoy of Hosts lives, before whom I have stood [served]; today, I will appear to him.”
וַיֵּלֶךְ עֹבַדְיָהוּ לִקְרַאת אַחְאָב וַיַּגֶּד־לוֹ וַיֵּלֶךְ אַחְאָב לִקְרַאת אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃
And Ovadyahu went to meet Achov and told him [about Eliyhu’s whereabouts]. Achov went to meet Eliyahu.
And Ovadyahu went to meet Achov and told him [about Eliyhu’s whereabouts]. Achov went to meet Eliyahu.
וַיְהִי כִּרְאוֹת אַחְאָב אֶת־אֵלִיָּהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר אַחְאָב אֵלָיו הַאַתָּה זֶה עֹכֵר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
And when Achov saw Eliyahu, Achov said to him; “Is this you, trouble maker of Yisroel?”
And when Achov saw Eliyahu, Achov said to him; “Is this you, trouble maker of Yisroel?”
וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא עָכַרְתִּי אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי אִם־אַתָּה וּבֵית אָבִיךָ בַּעֲזׇבְכֶם אֶת־מִצְוֺת יְהֹוָה וַתֵּלֶךְ אַחֲרֵי הַבְּעָלִֽים׃
And he said, “I did not trouble Yisroel; but you and the house of your father; when you abandoned the mitzvos of Adonoy, and followed after the Baalim.
And he said, “I did not trouble Yisroel; but you and the house of your father; when you abandoned the mitzvos of Adonoy, and followed after the Baalim.
וְעַתָּה שְׁלַח קְבֹץ אֵלַי אֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־הַר הַכַּרְמֶל וְאֶת־נְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים וּנְבִיאֵי הָאֲשֵׁרָה אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אֹכְלֵי שֻׁלְחַן אִיזָֽבֶל׃
Now, send [and] gather to me all of Yisroel to Mount Carmel, and [also] the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty [of them], And the prophets of the Asheirah, the four hundred, who dine at the table of Ezevel.
Now, send [and] gather to me all of Yisroel to Mount Carmel, and [also] the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty [of them], And the prophets of the Asheirah, the four hundred, who dine at the table of Ezevel.
וַיִּשְׁלַח אַחְאָב בְּכׇל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּקְבֹּץ אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִים אֶל־הַר הַכַּרְמֶֽל׃
And Achov sent [messengers] among all the Bnei Yisroel, and gathered the prophets to Mount Carmel.
And Achov sent [messengers] among all the Bnei Yisroel, and gathered the prophets to Mount Carmel.
וַיִּגַּשׁ אֵלִיָּהוּ אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָם וַיֹּאמֶר עַד־מָתַי אַתֶּם פֹּסְחִים עַל־שְׁתֵּי הַסְּעִפִּים אִם־יְהֹוָה הָאֱלֹהִים לְכוּ אַחֲרָיו וְאִם־הַבַּעַל לְכוּ אַחֲרָיו וְלֹא־עָנוּ הָעָם אֹתוֹ דָּבָֽר׃
Eliyahu approached all the people, and said “How long will you be jumping between two concepts? If Adonoy is God, follow Him, and if it is the Baal, follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
Eliyahu approached all the people, and said “How long will you be jumping between two concepts? If Adonoy is God, follow Him, and if it is the Baal, follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
Rashi
שתי הסעפים. שתי המחשבות, שאינכם מבינים להכריע מי האלהים:
Two concepts. Two thoughts, because you do not know how to decide who is God.
ואם הבעל. האלהים, לכו אחריו:
And if it is the Baal. Is God, then go after him.
ולא ענו העם אותו דבר. שלא היו יודעין להבחין:
And the people did not answer him a word. Because they did not know how to distinguish [between the two].3After being unable to find Eliyahu in Eretz Yisroel, Achov sent messengers to other kingdoms and nations to search for him. He made them swear that they are unable to find him.—Radak.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ אֶל־הָעָם אֲנִי נוֹתַרְתִּי נָבִיא לַיהֹוָה לְבַדִּי וּנְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל אַרְבַּע־מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים אִֽישׁ׃
And Eliyahu said to the people, “I alone have remained as a prophet of Adonoy; and the prophets of the Baal total four four hundred and fifty men.
And Eliyahu said to the people, “I alone have remained as a prophet of Adonoy; and the prophets of the Baal total four four hundred and fifty men.
וְיִתְּנוּ־לָנוּ שְׁנַיִם פָּרִים וְיִבְחֲרוּ לָהֶם הַפָּר הָאֶחָד וִינַתְּחֻהוּ וְיָשִׂימוּ עַל־הָעֵצִים וְאֵשׁ לֹא יָשִׂימוּ וַאֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה ׀ אֶת־הַפָּר הָאֶחָד וְנָֽתַתִּי עַל־הָעֵצִים וְאֵשׁ לֹא אָשִֽׂים׃
Have them give us two oxen and let them choose the one ox, and cut it up and place it on the wood without fire. And I will prepare the one ox, and place it on the wood, without fire.
Have them give us two oxen and let them choose the one ox, and cut it up and place it on the wood without fire. And I will prepare the one ox, and place it on the wood, without fire.
וּקְרָאתֶם בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וַֽאֲנִי אֶקְרָא בְשֵׁם־יְהֹוָה וְהָיָה הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲנֶה בָאֵשׁ הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים וַיַּעַן כׇּל־הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ טוֹב הַדָּבָֽר׃
Then call out in the name of your god, and I will call in the Name of Adonoy, and the God Who responds with fire, He is God.” And all the people answered and said, “The thing is good.”
Then call out in the name of your god, and I will call in the Name of Adonoy, and the God Who responds with fire, He is God.” And all the people answered and said, “The thing is good.”
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ לִנְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל בַּחֲרוּ לָכֶם הַפָּר הָאֶחָד וַעֲשׂוּ רִאשֹׁנָה כִּי אַתֶּם הָרַבִּים וְקִרְאוּ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וְאֵשׁ לֹא תָשִֽׂימוּ׃
And Eliyahu said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves the one ox, and prepare it first, for you are the majority. Call out in the name of your god, but do not put fire [on the wood]”
And Eliyahu said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves the one ox, and prepare it first, for you are the majority. Call out in the name of your god, but do not put fire [on the wood]”
וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־הַפָּר אֲשֶׁר־נָתַן לָהֶם וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ וַיִּקְרְאוּ בְשֵׁם־הַבַּעַל מֵהַבֹּקֶר וְעַד־הַצׇּהֳרַיִם לֵאמֹר הַבַּעַל עֲנֵנוּ וְאֵין קוֹל וְאֵין עֹנֶה וַֽיְפַסְּחוּ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֲשֶׁר עָשָֽׂה׃
And they took the ox that he gave them. They prepared it and called out in the name of Baal from morning till noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us,” but there was no voice and no answer; and they jumped on the altar that he had made.
And they took the ox that he gave them. They prepared it and called out in the name of Baal from morning till noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us,” but there was no voice and no answer; and they jumped on the altar that he had made.
Rashi
אשר נתן להם. שהיה נשמט מהם, שלא יקרב לעבודה זרה, וברח לו תחת כנפיו של אליהו אמר לו: לך, בשניכם יתקדש המקום (במדבר רבה כג ט, ילקוט שמעוני כאן רמז ריד):
That he gave them. For it slipped away from them so that it would not be offered to the idol, and it ran under Eliyahu’s cloak.4I.e., they were undecided. He said to the ox, “Go, for through the both of you the Omnipresent will be sanctified.”5And ultimately it was Eliyahu who “gave” the ox to the prophets of the Baal. Alternatively, Achov supplied the oxen, and they chose the one they wanted. Achov then “gave” them the ox they chose.—Radak
ויפסחו על המזבח אשר עשה. תרגם יונתן: ואשתטו, היו מרקדין כמשפטן על מזבחותם:
And they jumped on the altar that he had made. [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “and they raved [ואשתטו], [i.e.,] they were dancing according to their custom, on their altar.
ויפסחו. כמו ויפסעו:
And they jumped. [ויפסחו means] the same as ויפסעו6Bamidbar Rabboh 23:9. [=they stepped].
וַיְהִי בַֽצׇּהֳרַיִם וַיְהַתֵּל בָּהֶם אֵלִיָּהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר קִרְאוּ בְקוֹל־גָּדוֹל כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִים הוּא כִּי שִׂיחַ וְכִי־שִׂיג לוֹ וְכִי־דֶרֶךְ לוֹ אוּלַי יָשֵׁן הוּא וְיִקָֽץ׃
It was at noontime and Eliyahu ridiculed them and said, “Call with a loud voice, for he is a god, perhaps he is conversing, or pursuing, or is traveling. Perhaps he is sleeping and he will awaken.”
It was at noontime and Eliyahu ridiculed them and said, “Call with a loud voice, for he is a god, perhaps he is conversing, or pursuing, or is traveling. Perhaps he is sleeping and he will awaken.”
Rashi
כי אלהים הוא. (תרגום:) ארי אתון אמרין דחלא הוא:
For he is a god. [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “for you say he is one to be feared.”
כי שיח וכי שיג לו. שמא יש לו דבר עם יועציו עכשיו, או משיג ורודף הוא עכשיו במלחמה:
Perhaps he is conversing or pursuing. Maybe he is conferring with his advisors now, or he is overtaking and pursuing [his enemies] in war.
וכי דרך לו. לבית הכסא:
Or is traveling. To the bathroom.
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם בַּחֲרָבוֹת וּבָרְמָחִים עַד־שְׁפׇךְ־דָּם עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
So they called out with a loud voice, and they gashed themselves as was their custom with swords and spears until blood was pouring on them.
So they called out with a loud voice, and they gashed themselves as was their custom with swords and spears until blood was pouring on them.
Rashi
ויתגודדו. לשון שריטה בכלי, וכן היה נימוסיהן:
And they gashed themselves. An expression of tearing the flesh with an instrument, for such was their custom.
וַֽיְהִי כַּעֲבֹר הַֽצׇּהֳרַיִם וַיִּֽתְנַבְּאוּ עַד לַעֲלוֹת הַמִּנְחָה וְאֵֽין־קוֹל וְאֵין־עֹנֶה וְאֵין קָֽשֶׁב׃
So it was when noon had passed, they coninued to prophesy until the time of bringing the afternoon sacrifice; but there was no voice and no answer, and no one was listening.
So it was when noon had passed, they coninued to prophesy until the time of bringing the afternoon sacrifice; but there was no voice and no answer, and no one was listening.
Rashi
ויתנבאו. (תרגום:) ואשתטיאו:
They continued to prophesy. [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “and they raved.”
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ לְכׇל־הָעָם גְּשׁוּ אֵלַי וַיִּגְּשׁוּ כׇל־הָעָם אֵלָיו וַיְרַפֵּא אֶת־מִזְבַּח יְהֹוָה הֶהָרֽוּס׃
And Eliyohu said to all the people, “Come near to me,” and all the people came near to him; and he repaired the Altar of Adonoy that had been broken down.
And Eliyohu said to all the people, “Come near to me,” and all the people came near to him; and he repaired the Altar of Adonoy that had been broken down.
Rashi
וירפא את מזבח ה' ההרוס. בנה מזבח, והזכיר לישראל להיות מזבח ה' עולה על לבם ושגור בפיהם, שהיה הרוס ונפגר ובטל שמו והזכרתו מפי כל עשרת השבטים, כך שמעתי פשוטו ומדרשו שמעתי, ששאול בנה מזבח בהר הכרמל, וזהו שאמר (שמואל א טו יב): בא שאול הכרמלה והנה מציב לו יד, ולהלן (בראשית לג כ) הוא אומר: ויצב שם מזבח, ומלכי ישראל הרסו כל המזבחות והבמות שבארצם שנעשה לשם שמים, ובנה אליהו מזבח זה של שאול, שהיה הרוס:
And he repaired the altar of Adonoy that had been broken down. He built an altar7A ‘ח’ and an ‘ע’ are both guttural letters and are therefore interchangeable. and reminded Yisroel that God’s altar should enter their thoughts and should be oft mentioned, for it was torn down and destroyed, and its name and its mention had ceased from the mouth of all the ten tribes. Thus I heard is its plain interpretation.8Although once the Beis Hamikdosh was built private altars were not permitted, however, extraordinary circumstances allow for the suspension of certain laws in cases of dire necessity, such as this. See Maseches Sanhedrin 89b and Tosafos there. Also see footnote on v. 36 below. And its Midrashic interpretation I heard, is that Shaul built an altar on Mount Carmel, and that is what it states, “Shaul came to Carmel, and is setting up a place for himself,”9Alternatively, as a result of the miracle on Mount Carmel, many people repented and went to Yerusholayim to offer sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdosh. Thus he reactivated [וירפא] the altar which had been dormant [ההרוס].—Radak and there it states, “and he erected an altar there.”10I Shmuel 15:12. But the kings of Yisroel tore down all the altars and high places in their land that were made in the Name of Heaven, and Eliyahu built this altar of Shaul that had been torn down.
וַיִּקַּח אֵלִיָּהוּ שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה אֲבָנִים כְּמִסְפַּר שִׁבְטֵי בְנֵֽי־יַעֲקֹב אֲשֶׁר הָיָה דְבַר־יְהֹוָה אֵלָיו לֵאמֹר יִשְׂרָאֵל יִהְיֶה שְׁמֶֽךָ׃
And Eliyohu took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes of the sons of Yaakov; to whom the word of Adonoy had come, saying, “Yisroel will be your name.”
And Eliyohu took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes of the sons of Yaakov; to whom the word of Adonoy had come, saying, “Yisroel will be your name.”
Rashi
אשר היה דבר ה' אליו לאמר ישראל יהיה שמך. למה נאמר כאן, לפי שביום שנגלתה שכינה על יעקב בבית אל וקראו ישראל, בו ביום אמר לו: גוי וקהל גוים יהיה ממך, עתידין בניך להקהל כשאר עמים, ולבנות מזבח להקטיר עליו בשעת איסור הבמות, ואני מתרצה בדבר, בבראשית רבה (פב ה):
To whom the word of Adonoy had come, saying, “Yisroel will be your name.” Why is this stated here? Because on the day that the Divine Presence was revealed to Yaakov in Beis Eil and named him Yisroel, on that day He said to him, “A nation and a community of nations will come from you,”11Bereishis 33:20. i.e., your children are destined to congregate like other nations and build an altar upon which to burn sacrifices during the period of the prohibition [of offering sacrifices on] the high places. Nevertheless, I will consent to it. [Thus is stated] in Bereishis Rabboh.12Bereishis 35:11.
וַיִּבְנֶה אֶת־הָאֲבָנִים מִזְבֵּחַ בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה וַיַּעַשׂ תְּעָלָה כְּבֵית סָאתַיִם זֶרַע סָבִיב לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
He built the stones into an Altar in the Name of Adonoy. He made a ditch the size of which would contain two se’ah of seed, around the Altar.
He built the stones into an Altar in the Name of Adonoy. He made a ditch the size of which would contain two se’ah of seed, around the Altar.
Rashi
תעלה. פושאד"ו בלעז:
A ditch. Fosse, in O.F.
כבית סאתים. רחבו בית סאתים, מאה על חמשים, כחצר המשכן:
Which would contain two se’ah. Its width [i.e., capacity] was as great as to hold two se’ah,13 82:5. [i.e.,] one hundred amohs by fifty amohs,14An area that accommodates the sowing of two se’ah of seed. like [the area of] the Tabernacle’s courtyard.15Alternatively, an area whose dimensions are 50 amohs by 50 amohs.—Radak
וַֽיַּעֲרֹךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִים וַיְנַתַּח אֶת־הַפָּר וַיָּשֶׂם עַל־הָעֵצִֽים׃
He arranged the wood and he cut up the ox and placed it on the wood.
He arranged the wood and he cut up the ox and placed it on the wood.
וַיֹּאמֶר מִלְאוּ אַרְבָּעָה כַדִּים מַיִם וְיִֽצְקוּ עַל־הָעֹלָה וְעַל־הָעֵצִים וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁנוּ וַיִּשְׁנוּ וַיֹּאמֶר שַׁלֵּשׁוּ וַיְשַׁלֵּֽשׁוּ׃
And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water, and pour them on the burnt offering and the wood.” And he said, “Repeat it” and they repeated it. And he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water, and pour them on the burnt offering and the wood.” And he said, “Repeat it” and they repeated it. And he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
Rashi
כדים מים. להגדיל את הנס:
Pitchers with water. To make the miracle even greater.
ויצקו. אלישע (יצק) על ידיו, ונעשו אצבעותיו כמעיינות ונתמלאה התעלה, הוא שנאמר (מלכים ב ג יא): פה אלישע בן שפט אשר יצק מים על ידי אליהו, ונעשה נס במים על ידיו, ראוי הוא שיעשה הנס במים על ידיו (אליהו רבה פרק יז):
And pour them. Elisha (poured) on his hands, and his fingers became like springs,16See Maseches Eruvin 23b. and the ditch became full. This is the meaning of what is stated, “Here is Elisha the son of Shofot who poured water on Eliyahu’s hands,”17Rashi explains from where they got the water to fill the entire ditch. and a miracle took place with the water through him, [i.e.,] he is worthy that a miracle should take place with water through him.18II Melochim 3:11.
וַיֵּלְכוּ הַמַּיִם סָבִיב לַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְגַם אֶת־הַתְּעָלָה מִלֵּא־מָֽיִם׃
The water went around the Altar, and even the ditch, he filled with water.
The water went around the Altar, and even the ditch, he filled with water.
וַיְהִי ׀ בַּעֲלוֹת הַמִּנְחָה וַיִּגַּשׁ אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא וַיֹּאמַר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיִשְׂרָאֵל הַיּוֹם יִוָּדַע כִּֽי־אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַאֲנִי עַבְדֶּךָ (ובדבריך) [וּבִדְבָרְךָ] עָשִׂיתִי אֵת כׇּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
And as it was time to offer the afternoon sacrifice, Eliyahu, the prophet, prayed and said, “Adonoy, God of Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yisroel, let it be known today that You are God in Yisroel, and that I am Your servant; and at Your word have I done all these things.
And as it was time to offer the afternoon sacrifice, Eliyahu, the prophet, prayed and said, “Adonoy, God of Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yisroel, let it be known today that You are God in Yisroel, and that I am Your servant; and at Your word have I done all these things.
Rashi
ובדברך עשיתי. שהקרבתי בבמה בשעת איסור הבמות:
And at Your word have I done. That I sacrificed on a private altar during the period of the prohibition of [offering sacrifices on] private altars.19This verse implies that God commanded Eliyahu to offer the sacrifice on Mount Carmel even though private altars were not permitted once the Beis Hamikdosh had been built. See footnote on v. 30 above and Tosafos in Maseches Sanhedrin 89b.
עֲנֵנִי יְהֹוָה עֲנֵנִי וְיֵֽדְעוּ הָעָם הַזֶּה כִּֽי־אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הָאֱלֹהִים וְאַתָּה הֲסִבֹּתָ אֶת־לִבָּם אֲחֹרַנִּֽית׃
Answer me Adonoy, answer me, and this people will know that You, Adonoy, are God; and You have turned their hearts away.”
Answer me Adonoy, answer me, and this people will know that You, Adonoy, are God; and You have turned their hearts away.”
Rashi
ענני ה' ענני. ענני באש, (ובמים) ענני במטר, כך תרגם יונתן ורבותינו אמרו (ברכות ט ב): ענני באש, ענני שלא יאמרו מעשה כשפים הם:
Answer me, Adonoy, answer me. Answer me with fire, answer me with rain.20Rashi is explaining why he said “ענני” twi ce. So did [Targum] Yonoson render this. But our Rabbis said, “Answer me with fire, (and water) answer me so that they do not say that this deed was accomplished by sorcery.”21Maseches Berachos 9b. 22Alternatively, it is not unusual for one who prays to repeat his request.—Radak
וידעו העם הזה כי אתה ה' וגו'. וכשתשלחני לבשרם לעתיד לבא, יאמינו בי אם היום תענני:
[And this people] will know that You are Adonoy. And I am Your servant, and when You will send me to bring them tidings [of the redemption] that is forthcoming, they will believe me, if You will answer me today.
ואתה הסבות את לבם. נתת להם מקום לסור מאחריך, ובידך היה להכין לבבם אליך (שם לא ב) ומדרש אגדה (במדבר רבה יח יב): אם לא תענני, אף אני אהיה כופר ואומר, אתה הסבות את לבם, וכן אמר משה (במדבר טז כט): אם כמות כל האדם ימותון אלה, אף אני כופר ואומר, לא ה' שלחני לדבר את התורה והמצות, וכך אמר מיכיהו (לקמן כב כח): אם שוב תשוב בשלום, לא דבר ה' בי:
And You have turned their hearts away. You gave them an opportunity to turn away from following You, although You could have directed their hearts toward You.23See Maseches Berachos 31b. Alternatively, “You misled them by occasionally allowing their idolatrous prayers to be effective.”—Ralbag Or, Eliyahu is referring to the future and is saying, “When You answer my prayer and send down fire, You will have turned their hearts away from the Baal and back to You.”—Radak in the name of Rav Sa’adyah Gaon And according to Midrash Aggadah, if You do not answer me, I will deny and say that You turned their hearts. And so did Moshe say, “If as all men die will these men meet their death,”24Bamidbar 16:29. I, too, will deny and say, “then Adonoy has not sent me,”25Ibid. to speak [the words of] the Torah and the commandments, and so did Michoyhu say, “If you really return in peace, Adonoy did not speak to me.”26Below 22:28.
וַתִּפֹּל אֵשׁ־יְהֹוָה וַתֹּאכַל אֶת־הָעֹלָה וְאֶת־הָֽעֵצִים וְאֶת־הָאֲבָנִים וְאֶת־הֶֽעָפָר וְאֶת־הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר־בַּתְּעָלָה לִחֵֽכָה׃
And the fire of Adonoy came down and consumed the burnt offering and the wood, the stones and the earth, and the water in the ditch, it licked up.
And the fire of Adonoy came down and consumed the burnt offering and the wood, the stones and the earth, and the water in the ditch, it licked up.
וַיַּרְא כׇּל־הָעָם וַֽיִּפְּלוּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
And all the people saw and they fell on their faces; and they said, “Adonoy, He is God; Adonoy, He is God.”
And all the people saw and they fell on their faces; and they said, “Adonoy, He is God; Adonoy, He is God.”
Rashi
ה' הוא האלהים. ולא הבעל האלהים:
Adonoy He is God. And the Baal is not God.27They repeated the declaration to reinforce their belief.—Metzudas Dovid.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ לָהֶם תִּפְשׂוּ ׀ אֶת־נְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל אִישׁ אַל־יִמָּלֵט מֵהֶם וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂוּם וַיּוֹרִדֵם אֵלִיָּהוּ אֶל־נַחַל קִישׁוֹן וַיִּשְׁחָטֵם שָֽׁם׃
And Eliyohu said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal, let not one of them escape,” and they seized them. Eliyohu took them down to the Valley of Kishon and slaughtered them there.
And Eliyohu said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal, let not one of them escape,” and they seized them. Eliyohu took them down to the Valley of Kishon and slaughtered them there.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ לְאַחְאָב עֲלֵה אֱכֹל וּשְׁתֵה כִּי־קוֹל הֲמוֹן הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
Then Eliyohu said to Achov, “Go up, eat and drink, because there is sound of a drenching rain.”
Then Eliyohu said to Achov, “Go up, eat and drink, because there is sound of a drenching rain.”
וַיַּעֲלֶה אַחְאָב לֶאֱכֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְאֵלִיָּהוּ עָלָה אֶל־רֹאשׁ הַכַּרְמֶל וַיִּגְהַר אַרְצָה וַיָּשֶׂם פָּנָיו בֵּין בִּרְכָּֽו׃
And Achov went up to eat and drink, while Eliyahu went up to the top of Carmel. He bowed to the ground, and put his face between his knees.
And Achov went up to eat and drink, while Eliyahu went up to the top of Carmel. He bowed to the ground, and put his face between his knees.
Rashi
ויגהר ארצה. (תרגום:) וגחין לארעא, להתפלל על הגשמים:
He bowed to the ground. [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “and he crouched on the ground,” to pray for rain.28He put his face between his knees with the intention of remaining in this cramped position until a sign of rain appeared.—Radak
וַיֹּאמֶר אֶֽל־נַעֲרוֹ עֲלֵה־נָא הַבֵּט דֶּֽרֶךְ־יָם וַיַּעַל וַיַּבֵּט וַיֹּאמֶר אֵין מְאוּמָה וַיֹּאמֶר שֻׁב שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִֽים׃
And he said to his servant, “Please go up, look out to the sea.” He went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing, and he said, “Go back,” seven times.
And he said to his servant, “Please go up, look out to the sea.” He went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing, and he said, “Go back,” seven times.
Rashi
דרך ים. אם תראה ענן עולה מן הים:
To the sea. If you see a cloud rising from the sea.29The Mediterranean Sea is near Mount Carmel. Alternatively, דרך ים means westward.—Targum
וַֽיְהִי בַּשְּׁבִעִית וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה־עָב קְטַנָּה כְּכַף־אִישׁ עֹלָה מִיָּם וַיֹּאמֶר עֲלֵה אֱמֹר אֶל־אַחְאָב אֱסֹר וָרֵד וְלֹא יַעֲצׇרְכָה הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
On the seventh time, he [the servant] said, “Behold, there is a small cloud the size of a man’s hand, rising from the sea.” He [Eliyahu] said, “Go up, say to Achov, ‘Harness your [horses to the carriage] and go down, lest the rain stop you.’”
On the seventh time, he [the servant] said, “Behold, there is a small cloud the size of a man’s hand, rising from the sea.” He [Eliyahu] said, “Go up, say to Achov, ‘Harness your [horses to the carriage] and go down, lest the rain stop you.’”
Rashi
אסור ורד. אסור מרכבותיך ורד מהר הכרמל לשוב לביתך, פן ידחק אותך הגשם בדרך:
Harness your [horses to the carriage] and go down. Harness your [horses to] your chariots and go down quickly from Mount Carmel, to return to your house, otherwise the rain will press you on the way.
וַיְהִי ׀ עַד־כֹּה וְעַד־כֹּה וְהַשָּׁמַיִם הִֽתְקַדְּרוּ עָבִים וְרוּחַ וַיְהִי גֶּשֶׁם גָּדוֹל וַיִּרְכַּב אַחְאָב וַיֵּלֶךְ יִזְרְעֶֽאלָה׃
In the meantime, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Achov rode and traveled to Yizreil.
In the meantime, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Achov rode and traveled to Yizreil.
Rashi
עד כה ועד כה. בתוך שהלך השליח ובתוך שאסר המרכבה, והשמים התקדרו:
In the meantime. While the messenger went, and while he harnessed [he horses to] the chariot, the sky grew dark.
וְיַד־יְהֹוָה הָֽיְתָה אֶל־אֵלִיָּהוּ וַיְשַׁנֵּס מׇתְנָיו וַיָּרׇץ לִפְנֵי אַחְאָב עַד־בֹּאֲכָה יִזְרְעֶֽאלָה׃
And the hand [the spirit] of Adonoy was with Eliyahu, and he girded his loins and ran before Achov arrived in Yizreil.
And the hand [the spirit] of Adonoy was with Eliyahu, and he girded his loins and ran before Achov arrived in Yizreil.
Rashi
ויד ה'. (תרגום:) רוח גבורה מן קדם ה' נתלבש כח לרוץ לפני המרכבה ברגליו, שלא ילך אחאב יחידי, שחלק כבוד למלכות (מכילתא, ילקוט שמעוני רמז ריז):
And the hand [the spirit] of Adonoy. [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “a spirit of strength from before Adonoy,” [i.e.,] he became endowed with strength to run on foot before the chariot, so that Achov would not go alone, for he treated royalty with respect.30See above 13:2 and Rashi and footnote there.
וישנס מתניו. כמו ויאזור, ואין לו דמיון, ואף הוא לא בא אלא ללמד לשון זירוז, נזדרז כגבור:
And he girded his loins. [וישנס means] the same as ויאזור [=and he girded], but there is no similar word [in Scripture], and it came only to teach [us] an expression of acting quickly, [i.e.,] he was as quick as a mighty man.
ויהי בהכרית איזבל. להגיד בא איך היה עובדיהו ירא את ה':
And when Ezevel killed. [Scripture] comes to tell [us] how Ovadyahu feared God.