Commentary for II Kings 2:10
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִקְשִׁ֣יתָ לִשְׁא֑וֹל אִם־תִּרְאֶ֨ה אֹתִ֜י לֻקָּ֤ח מֵֽאִתָּךְ֙ יְהִֽי־לְךָ֣ כֵ֔ן וְאִם־אַ֖יִן לֹ֥א יִהְיֶֽה׃
And he said: ‘Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.’
From David to Destruction
Eliyahu HaNavi’s Unclear Response to Elisha
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Rashi on II Kings
You have made a difficult request. It is impossible [for me] to give you more than I possess.5According to Rashi, Elisha apparently asked for a double portion of Eliyahu’s spirit. Alternatively, Elisha requested to attain two thirds of Eliyahu’s spirit and for all other prophets together to attain one third. -Radak Or, Elisha requested double the spirit of any other prophet.—Ralbag
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Radak on II Kings
You asked something difficult ~ It would have been enough for you if you had asked a just part of my spirit, or even half, but asking for it twice is something difficult, and even though [it is difficult] if you have the spiritual strength to see me as I am taken from you then I will know that from God this will happen, and so you will have what you asked.
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Rashi on II Kings
If you will witness my departure from you. Then I will be able to do more and more.6I.e., if you are spiritually elevated enough to observe my ascent, it would be an indication that your request would be granted.
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Rashi on II Kings
It will be so for you, and if not, it will not be. That I am unable [to do so].
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