Becoming Elijah, Daniel C. Matt
Becoming Elijah, Daniel C. Matt
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Becoming Elijah
Prophet of Transformation

Author: Daniel C. Matt

Narrator: Barry Abrams

Unabridged: 5 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/18/2022

Synopsis

The story of the prophet Elijah's transformation from fierce zealot to compassionate hero and cherished figure in Jewish tradition

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.

About Daniel C. Matt

Daniel C. Matt is a leading authority on the Zohar and Kabbalah. He is the author of the bestselling The Essential Kabbalah (translated into seven languages); Zohar: The Book of Enlightenment; God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony Between Science and Spirituality; and Zohar: Annotated and Explained. He was professor of Jewish spirituality for over twenty years at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and he continues to lecture around the country on Jewish mysticism and spirituality. He is the author of the first nine volumes of the annotated translation The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, hailed as "a monumental contribution to the history of Jewish thought."

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kerry on July 06, 2022

This book is definitely the best one I have read so far in the Jewish Lives series. Most observant Jews recognize Elijah as the spirit that comes to join the Passover Seder. Elijah is many people and takes many forms according to this book that is written like a long Torah lesson in the Kabbalah, or......more

Goodreads review by Israel on April 26, 2024

Becoming Elijah, Prophet of Transformation By Daniel C. Matt Yale University Press March 15, 2022 248 pages ISBN 978-0-300-24270-6 $20.70 Daniel C. Matt’s book “Becoming Elijah, Prophet of Transformation” is a testament to his profound expertise in Kabbalah and Jewish thought. It is excellent and intelle......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on May 06, 2022

All religions change and develop over time. That can mean new interpretations or reimaginings of a specific aspect of the tradition, or a major break occurring over theological or legal differences. These variations can be seen in two new works: “Becoming Elijah: Prophets of Transformation” by Danie......more

Goodreads review by Michael on January 29, 2023

For me the most engaging part of this book was the first 30 percent or so, which focuses on the book of Kings. Matt skillfully shows how the lore of Judaism's pagan rivals makes the book more comprehensible. For example, Elijah claims that the Jewish northern kingdom will be punished for its sins by......more

Goodreads review by Jimmy Morin on October 21, 2024

Beaucoup d'informations et une belle finale J'ai bien aimé qu'il parle de Eli dans les différentes traditions. La tradition que je préfère est celle du judaïsme sans aucun doute. Je ne sais pas s'il a investigué ce qu'il en était de la tradition sur Éli à Qumran ... Il ne mentionne rien à ce propos.......more

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