Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Elijah’s cup
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Related Questions
Read Next
February 29, leap day, leap year, happens every four years
Leap Day, February 29
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Moonrise over Tucson, Arizona
Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Calendar marking march 15th
22 Questions About Time and Timekeeping Answered
Ancient Mayan Calendar
Our Days Are Numbered: 7 Crazy Facts About Calendars
Discover
Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro
Why Is Christmas in December?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Small, white rat (genus Rattus) on a glass table. (rodent, laboratory, experiment)
Cruel and Unusual Punishments: 15 Types of Torture
Saguaro cacti dot the Sonoran Desert landscape at Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Formerly Saguaro National Monument cactus
Can You Drink Water from a Cactus?
American bison (Bison bison) also known as buffalo or plains buffalo on the prairie, western U.S.
What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?
Ruminant. Deer. Red deer. Cervus elaphus. Buck. Stag. Antlers.
9 of the World’s Deadliest Mammals
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?

Elijah’s cup

Judaism
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Elijahs-cup
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Related Topics:
seder
See all related content

Elijah’s cup, in Judaism, the fifth ceremonial cup of wine poured during the family seder dinner on Passover (Pesaḥ). It is left untouched in honour of Elijah, who, according to tradition, will arrive one day as an unknown guest to herald the advent of the messiah. During the seder dinner, biblical verses are read while the door is briefly opened to welcome Elijah, who, it is further said, will resolve all controversial questions connected with the Law. In this way the seder dinner not only commemorates the historical redemption from Egyptian bondage of the Jewish people (see Exodus) but also calls to mind their future redemption when Elijah and the messiah shall appear.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Zeidan.