Daniel C. Matt, "Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation" (Yale UP, 2022)

Jul 19, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Daniel C. Matt, a leading authority on Jewish mysticism and professor, delves into the fascinating life of the prophet Elijah. He explores Elijah's miraculous deeds and his crucial role in challenging injustice and idolatry. Matt highlights Elijah’s transformation from a zealous figure to one of compassion, and discusses his enduring significance in Jewish rituals, particularly during Passover. Insights into Elijah's messianic role and ongoing relevance in contemporary thought make this conversation a captivating exploration of spiritual legacy.

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ANECDOTE

Daniel C. Matt's Formative Journey

Daniel C. Matt grew up immersed in Judaism, influenced deeply by his rabbi father who was a hidden tzaddik.
In college and in Jerusalem, he fell in love with Jewish mysticism, especially the challenging Zohar text.

INSIGHT

Elijah's Biblical Zealotry

Elijah opposed King Ahab and the spread of Baal worship, symbolizing the battle between Adonai and Baal.
His contest on Mount Carmel exposed the impotence of Baal, but Elijah’s triumph was complicated by Queen Jezebel's threats.

INSIGHT

Elijah’s Transformation in Rabbinic Tradition

The rabbis reimagine Elijah as a compassionate "super rabbi" instead of a harsh zealot.
Elijah becomes a shapeshifter who inspires and helps people, bridging heavenly and earthly worlds.

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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.

Tune in as we speak with Daniel C. Matt about his recent book, Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation.

PLEASE NOTE: For a limited time, anyone can order the title at a 25% discount with free shipping, by using the code ELIJAH during checkout, at this link.

Also here are several video links related to Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation:

1) A conversation about Becoming Elijah between Daniel Matt and Barry Holtz at an event sponsored by the Center for Jewish History, in Manhattan, March 3, 2022:

2) A conversation between Daniel Matt and Estelle Frankel, sponsored by Chochmat HaLev, in Berkeley, March 31, 2022.

3) A talk by Daniel Matt on Becoming Elijah, sponsored by New Lehrhaus, in Berkeley, Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Daniel C. Matt is a leading authority on Jewish mysticism. He served as professor at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and has also taught at Stanford University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His publications, in addition to the The Zohar: Pritzker Edition (12 vols.), include The Essential Kabbalah (1995), God and the Big Bang (1996), and Zohar: Annotated and Explained (2002). Daniel also teaches an online Zohar course: www.sup.org/zohar/course

Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus(Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020). He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu

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