Melachim Bet (Kings II) Unit 2: The Ascension of Eliyahu and the Succession of Elisha

Flashcards covering Mel

From where did Eliyahu and Elisha begin their journey prior to Eliyahu's ascension in Melachim Bet Perek Bet?

They set out from Gilgal (מִן־הַגִּלְגָּל).

What was Elisha's response each time Eliyahu asked him to stay behind while traveling to Beit El and Yericho?

"חַי־יְהוָה וְחֵי־נַפְשְׁךָ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶךָ" ("As Hashem lives and by the life of your soul, I will not leave you").

What question did the Bnei Neviim in Beit El ask Elisha, and how did Elisha respond?

They asked if he knew that Hashem was taking his master away today, to which Elisha replied, "I know! Be silent!" (גַּם־אֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי הַחֲשׁוּ).

How many men of the Bnei Neviim followed and stood watching Eliyahu and Elisha from afar by the Jordan?

50 men.

What request did Elisha make of Eliyahu before Eliyahu was taken?

He asked for a double portion of Eliyahu's spirit / double Nevuah ("וִיהִי נָא פִּי־שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ אֵלָי").

What condition did Eliyahu set for Elisha's request of a double portion to be granted?

If Elisha sees him being taken away, he will know that his request is granted.

What appeared to separate Eliyahu and Elisha, and how did Eliyahu ascend to heaven?

A chariot with horses of fire divided them, and Eliyahu ascended in a whirlwind (בִּסְעָרָה) to Shamayim.

What did Elisha cry out when he saw Eliyahu taken, and what mourning gesture did he perform?

He cried, "אָבִי אָבִי רֶכֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפָרָשָׁיו" ("My father, my father, chariot of Israel and its horsemen!"), and tore his clothes into two pieces.

What object did Elisha pick up that symbolized the "passing of the torch" and succession?

Eliyahu's mantle (aderes / אַדֶּרֶת), which had dropped from him.

What did the Bnei Neviim recognize about Elisha upon his return, and how did they react?

They realized he possessed holy energy and power like Eliyahu, and they bowed down to him.

What did the Bnei Neviim want to do regarding Eliyahu's "disappearance"?

They wanted to search the mountains and send people to different places to find him.

How did Elisha respond to the Bnei Neviim's demand to search for Eliyahu, and why did he change his answer?

He initially told them not to send anyone, but after they pestered him, he gave permission for them to go.

What was the final outcome of the Bnei Neviim's search for Eliyahu?

They sent 50 people who searched for 3 days and found nothing.

What problem did the people of the city present to Elisha regarding their water?

The water was bad and was causing people to become sick.

What instructions did Elisha give the people to address the contaminated water?

He told them to get a new vessel, put salt inside it, and bring it to him.

What action did Elisha take to perform the miracle on the water, and in whose name did he do it?

He threw the salt into the water source in Hashem's name.

What was the final result of Elisha's first miracle purifying the city's water?

The water was healed and became good, and nobody died from it anymore.

What two historical notes are listed at the conclusion of Source 2's notes?

Moshe's Sefer Torah was discovered, and 300 arrows pierced Ahab ("any").

Why is Eliyahu described as fundamentally different from an ordinary human regarding death?

Eliyahu did not die as others do; his body separated from his neshama, and he remained a malach Hashem performing His shelichus in this world.

What role will Eliyahu fulfill through techiyas hameisim?

He travels between worlds to strengthen the kedushah of Yisrael, will remain alive through techiyas hameisim, and will be mevaser the geulah (announce the redemption).

What is the opinion regarding Eliyahu's body being taken up to Gan Eden?

Eliyahu's body was taken up to Gan Eden, enabling him to travel between the two worlds.

What does the opinion state regarding Eliyahu's body and worldly clothing being consumed by fire?

His body and worldly clothing were consumed by fire (except for his aderes), and his ruach returned to Hashem.

Which individuals are compared to the opinion that Eliyahu was taken body and ruach into Shamayim?

Adam Harishon (who was in Gan Eden with his physical body before the cheit) and Chanoch.