Elijah the prophet. Just the name conjures up images of fire, brimstone, and unwavering devotion to God. But was he all thunder and lightning? Or was there more to this fiery figure than meets the eye?

We often hear about Elijah's compassion, his role as a protector of the downtrodden. But let's not forget, as the Legends of the Jews reminds us, he was also "the stern and inexorable censor" – the one who held people accountable, even with deadly consequences. Ginzberg tells us of one unfortunate soul who failed to perform his devotions with enough reverence and was struck dead by Elijah's hand! It's a stark reminder that zeal for the true and the good can sometimes take a harsh form.

But here's a story that shows both sides of Elijah, the compassionate and the stern. It's a tale of two brothers, one rich and miserly, the other poor but kind. Elijah, disguised as a humble beggar – a classic trope, right? – approached the wealthy brother, seeking alms. But the rich man, true to form, turned him away.

Dejected, Elijah then went to the poor brother, who welcomed him with open arms, sharing his meager supper without hesitation. As Elijah prepared to leave, he bestowed a blessing upon the kind couple: "May God reward you! The first thing you undertake shall be blessed, and shall take no end until you yourselves cry out Enough!"

What happened next? Well, the poor man, anxious about providing for his family, began counting his few pennies, just to make sure he had enough for bread. But here's the miracle: the coins multiplied! He counted and counted, the pile growing ever larger. He spent the entire day, then the night, counting, until finally, exhausted and overwhelmed, he cried out, "Enough!" And enough it was – he had become a very wealthy man.

Now, the rich brother, seeing this incredible turn of events, was naturally envious. When he learned how his brother's fortune had changed, he resolved to be much more hospitable should the old beggar return. And wouldn't you know it, a few days later, Elijah passed by again! The rich man rushed to greet him, apologizing for his past unkindness and inviting him into his home, showering him with food and hospitality.

As he departed, Elijah bestowed a blessing on the rich man and his wife: "May the first thing you do have no end, until it is enough." The wife, eager to capitalize on this blessing, turned to her husband and said, "Let's attend to our most urgent physical needs so that we count gold upon gold undisturbed." And so they did. And they had to continue doing it…until their very lives were extinguished.

A chilling ending, isn't it? The blessing, intended as a gift, became a curse because of their greed and lack of understanding. It reminds me of other tales in Jewish tradition, like the story of King Midas, whose golden touch became a burden. What does this story tell us? Perhaps it's a warning against seeking blessings for selfish gain. Maybe it’s a reminder that true generosity comes from the heart, not from a desire for reward.

The Zohar, that mystical text, speaks of the importance of intention in all our actions. It’s not enough to simply do the right thing; we must also want to do it for the right reasons. The poor brother's kindness was genuine, born of empathy and compassion. The rich brother's hospitality, on the other hand, was merely a calculated attempt to get rich quick.

So, the next time you encounter a situation where you can offer help or kindness, ask yourself: what are my motivations? Am I acting out of genuine compassion, or am I hoping for something in return? Because, as the story of Elijah and the two brothers reminds us, blessings can be a double-edged sword, and true reward lies not in material wealth, but in the purity of our intentions.