That's the story we hear about certain exceptional disciples, men who delved deep into the mystical heart of Judaism.
We learn that after a disciple had thoroughly absorbed these mystical teachings, Elijah would take him to the me’arat hamachpelah, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and then onward to the heavenly academy. Now, you might think the angels would be thrilled to have such a pious visitor. But according to the legends, the angels were "little pleased by the intrusion of one 'born of woman.'" They filled him with such terror that he begged Elijah to bring him back to earth! Elijah, ever the patient mentor, calmed his fears and continued to instruct him in the mystical science, using a system that the disciple later recorded in his own works.
This idea of invoking Elijah wasn't just a one-time thing. The Kabbalists, those deeply learned in Jewish mysticism, were often believed to have the power to summon Elijah. They could conjure him up using specific formulas. But, as the story of Rabbi Joseph della Reyna shows us, this wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Rabbi Joseph della Reyna was a renowned scholar, a saintly man. But he had a truly audacious goal: to bring about the redemption of humankind by defeating Samael, the Prince of Evil. Think about that for a moment! After intense prayer, fasting, and ascetic practices, Rabbi Joseph, along with five of his disciples, set out to conjure Elijah.
When the prophet appeared before him, Rabbi Joseph addressed him with utmost respect: "Peace be with thee, our master! True prophet, bearer of salvation, be not displeased with me that I have troubled thee to come hither... I am zealous for the name and the honor of God, and I know thy desire is the same as mine... I pray thee, therefore, to grant my petition, tell me with what means I can conquer Satan."
Elijah, knowing the immense power of Satan – a power that grows with every sin committed by humanity – initially tried to dissuade the rabbi. But Rabbi Joseph was resolute. So, Elijah, relenting, outlined the steps needed for this perilous battle. He told Rabbi Joseph which pious deeds would attract the attention of the archangel Sandalphon, who would then reveal the tactics needed to wage war.
According to this legend, Rabbi Joseph followed Elijah's instructions meticulously. He even managed to summon Sandalphon for assistance! Imagine the power that must have taken! If he had continued to follow instructions precisely, if he had completely heeded Sandalphon's advice, he would have triumphed over Satan and brought about the world's redemption.
But here’s where the story takes a tragic turn. At a crucial moment, Rabbi Joseph made a mistake, a single indiscretion. And that was all it took. Satan, regaining his power, used it to bring about the ruin of Rabbi Joseph and his devoted disciples.
What a cautionary tale! It speaks to the immense power of both good and evil, and the razor's edge that separates success from devastating failure when dealing with forces beyond our comprehension. It reminds us that even the most righteous intentions, the most dedicated efforts, can be undone by a single misstep. And perhaps, it also hints at the profound responsibility that comes with seeking knowledge of the divine.