Text: For as long as I can remember my mom has been leaving our front door open for Passover. We do this because we believe the Prophet Elijah will enter our household and potentially introduce the return of the Messiah. Though I believe this to be a little excessive, as we don’t live in the safest of communities, I recognize its importance due to how long the tradition has been continued. We also pour a specific kind of wine, known as Elijah’s cup, near the entrance of the house.

Context: Informant describes being a follower of Judaism, though they are less strict on themselves, in terms of following the laws of the religion, than prior generations. They also describe Passover as being one of the two most important holidays in the Jewish Community. Informant believes that this act of pouring wine near an open front door will allow for the Prophet Elijah, who is the herald for the Messiah, to enter the household and initiate the return of the Messiah.

Analysis:

I believe this piece of tradition to exist at the crossroads between religious tradition and folk practice. When talking to the informant about this tradition, they brought up the fact that they have Jewish neighbors who do not open their door or pour any wine at all. Informant also describes some people who only open the door or only pour wine to welcome the Prophet Elijah. This, to me, is very representative of the multiplicity and variation that Dundes suggest is necessary in folklore. It is also clear that this entire folk- tradition is essentially a performance. Though their belief may be strong, it may be clear to many, as it is to the informant, that a physical entity will not enter the household. So then, this act becomes a way of tying a community close together through shared actions.