Elkanah

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Elkanah's Devotion and Family Dynamics

TANAKH

Elkanah's dedication to religious observance and his complex family dynamics offer a rich narrative that sets the stage for the birth of the prophet Samuel. Elkanah, a man from Ramathaim, made annual pilgrimages to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices, highlighting his devotion and the tensions within his family, particularly between his wives, Hannah and Peninnah.

There was a man from Ramathaim of the Zuphites, in the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. This man used to go up from his town every year to worship and to offer sacrifice to GOD of Hosts at Shiloh.—Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of GOD there. One such day, Elkanah offered a sacrifice…

I Samuel 1:1-4

The Power of Personal Example

MUSAR

Elkanah's personal dedication to the Torah and his ability to inspire others through his own actions is a powerful example of leadership. This text recounts a midrash about how Elkanah, through his own life and actions, restored the practice of pilgrimage to Shiloh, demonstrating the impact of personal example in Jewish tradition.

And if we contemplate on this, what gave him such great strength? With what resources could he accomplish this? Which committees accomplish this? What degree of honor was given to everyone? Which positions were given to each one to achieve this? What kind of publicity and rallies were done in the world to awaken this idea? Indeed, our Sages of blessed memory tell us that no committees were made, no honor was accorded, no money [was awarded] and no rallies were made. Rather, all this work [came about] through is own life , through his actions alone, with his upholdance of the Torah…

Ma'amar Mezakeh HaRabim 7:3

A Lesson in Modesty from Elkanah

COMMENTARY

Elkanah's behavior teaches us a lesson about modesty and respect when staying in someone else's home. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a popular Yiddish commentary from the early 17th century, uses the story of Elkanah and Hannah to illustrate this principle.

Our sages learn from here that a guest should not sleep with his wife when he is in a stranger’s house. Therefore, the verse says here that only when Elkanah came to his house did he sleep with Hannah. A year later, Hannah gave birth to a son and she called him Samuel. She said, I have asked the Lord for him.

Tze'enah Ure'enah, Haftarot, First Day of Rosh Hashanah 10

Elkanah's Merit and Leadership

KABBALAH

According to some sources, Elkanah's leadership and encouragement of others to visit the Tabernacle at Shiloh brought great merit, paralleling the influence of Avraham. Rabbi Chaim Vital’s Sha'arei Kedusha emphasizes the importance of communal responsibility and the spiritual merit gained by guiding others towards righteousness.

Bringing merit to the guilty: Our sages, of blessed memory, stated, “Elkana merited having his son Shmuel – who was equal to Moshe and Aharon – because he would go up [to the Tabernacle at Shiloh] for every Festival, and would bring multitudes of people with him, thus bringing merit upon them.” His son Shmuel followed this practice, as written, “He would travel year after year, circling to Beth-El, Gilgal and Mitzpah, and judging Israel in all these places. He then would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there he would judge Israel…

Sha'arei Kedusha, Part 2 7:7

Elkanah's Dedication

COMMENTARY

Elkanah's dedication to leading the Israelites to Shiloh for festivals is told of and praised in the rabbinic tradition. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French biblical commentator, cites a midrash associating linking a verse in Ecclesiastes to Elkanah's behavior.

With the joy of his heart. That he rejoiced to do good in his lifetime, and I saw in the Midrash, that this refers to Elkanah, who led Yisroel up to Shiloh on the festivals, and on the route that he brought them up on one year he did not bring them back the following year, in order to publicize the matter and to accustom them. Therefore, Scripture praises him, “This man would go up from his city, etc.” I believe that this Midrash is at the end of the verse, “for God answers [provides] him with the joy of his heart…

Rashi on Ecclesiastes 5:19:4

Revitalizing Torah Teachings

TALMUD

Traditional descriptions of Elkanah's actions remind us of the importance of revitalizing and respecting Torah teachings. The Jerusalem Talmud, compiled in the Land of Israel around the 4th-5th centuries CE, likens neglected wisdom of Torah to an old woman who should be cared for.

(Pr. 23:22): “Be not contemptuous because your mother got old.” Rebbi Yose bar Abun said, if words of Torah become old in your mouth, do not become contemptuous about them. What is the reason? “Be not contemptuous because your mother got old.” Rebbi Zeïra said, when your people got old, get up and repair it the way Elkanah did who instructed Israel in the pilgrimage for holidays. That is what is written: (1Sam…

Jerusalem Talmud Berakhot 9:5:17

Rosh Hashanah Reading

LITURGY

Elkanah's love for Hannah, despite her childlessness, and the emotional distress caused by Peninah's taunting, highlight themes of faith and divine intervention. The Haftarah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashanah tells the story of Hannah, whose heartfelt prayer for a child serves as a model of supplication.

And there was a certain man from Ramathaim-Zophim, the hills of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Yerocham, the son of Eliyhu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuf, a distinguished man. And he had two wives; one named Hannah and the other, Peninah. And Peninah had children but Hannah had no children. And this man went up from his city, from year to year, to prostrate himself and offer sacrifices to the Adonoy of Hosts, in Shiloh. And there, the two sons of Eli, Chophni and Pinchas, were priests to Adonoy…

Machzor Rosh Hashanah Ashkenaz Linear, Reading of the Torah, Haftarah for the First Day of Rosh Hashana 2

Love and Rivalry in Elkanah's Household

COMMENTARY

Elkanah's special treatment of Hannah, despite her childlessness, highlights the complexities of love and rivalry within a family. The Book of Samuel, part of the Nevi'im in the Hebrew Bible, narrates the poignant story of Elkanah, his wives Hannah and Peninnah, and Hannah's heartfelt prayer for a child.

But to Hannah he would give a choice portion, a large, significant portion. Some explain that he gave her some of his own choice portion. For he loved Hannah, and he wished to express publicly his preference for her over his other wife, but the Lord had closed her womb, and she had not borne children. Consequently, he gave her only one portion, unlike Penina, to whom he gave multiple portions, for herself and her children. It was not uncommon for there to be some sort of rivalry between two women married to the same man.

Steinsaltz on I Samuel 1:5

The Dedication of Samuel

SECOND TEMPLE

Hannah's vow and the dedication of Samuel to God are pivotal moments in Jewish history, showcasing the profound faith and commitment of his parents. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, recounts the biblical story of Hannah and Elkanah, emphasizing their actions in dedicating Samuel to a life of prophecy and service in the temple.

3. So she came to her husband full of hope, and ate her meal with gladness. And when they had returned to their own country she found herself with child, and they had a son born to them, to whom they gave the name of Samuel, which may be styled one that was asked of God. They therefore came to the tabernacle to offer sacrifice for the birth of the child, and brought their tithes with them; but the woman remembered the vows she had made concerning her son, and delivered him to Eli, dedicating him to God, that he might become a prophet…

The Antiquities of the Jews 5:10:3

Dedication to Divine Service

COMMENTARY

Elkanah and Channah bring their son Samuel to the Temple to devote his life to God, under Eli the High Priest's tutelage. Radak, a renowned medieval commentator, provides linguistic and exegetical insights into the biblical story of Samuel's dedication to God's service.

They brought the boy: After they slaughtered the bull for a sacrifice, Elkanah and Channah brought the boy to the House of the Lord to Eli, to reside and study before him; and that [Eli] should educate him about all the Torah and the commandment[s]. And there is no reason to write the homiletical teaching, as it is well-known and it is remote.

Radak on I Samuel 1:25:1

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Relatedראו גם

Samuel (Prophet)

Hannah

Childילדים

Samuel (Prophet)

Corresponded Withבני שיח

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Spousesבני זוג

Peninnah

Hannah

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