Commentaire de citation sur Rois 2 2:3

Despite Eliyahu HaNavi’s continuous attempts to dissuade Elisha from coming with him to witness his ascent to heaven, Elisha continues to travel with his teacher. They first travel to Beit El, and then to Yericho. In both locations “Bnei HaNevi’im,” “the prophets’ children” approach Elisha, and rhetorically ask him, “HaYada’ita Ki HaYom Hashem Lokei’ach Et Adonecha Mei’Al Roshecha,” “Did you know that today Hashem is taking your master from upon your head?” (Melachim II 2:3, 2:5). Who are these Bnei HaNevi’im, and what are they doing in Beit El and Yericho?

On the day of Eliyahu HaNavi’s ascent, the Bnei HaNevi’im,¹⁵⁰As we identify in the previous chapter, the Bnei HaNevi’im in Beit El and Yericho are likely Eliyahu HaNavi’s students. both in Beit El and Yericho, approach Elisha, and ask him “HaYadata Ki HaYom Hashem Lokei’ach Et Adonecha Mei’Al Roshecha,” “Did you know that today Hashem is taking your master from upon your head?” (Melachim II 2:3 and 2:5). How are the Bnei Nevi’im aware of Eliyahu HaNavi’s imminent departure? After all, Eliyahu HaNavi does not seem to announce his departure to them. In fact, it seems that Eliyahu HaNavi does not say a single word to the Bnei HaNevi’im in Beit El and Yericho.¹⁵¹This, of course, raises the question as to the purpose of both visits.

Following Eliyahu HaNavi’s ascent, the Bnei HaNevi’im¹⁷³See the earlier chapter, “Eliyahu HaNavi's Two Models of Torah Centers,” where we attempt to identify these “Bnei HaNevi’im.” insist that Elisha send a search party for his teacher. The Bnei HaNevi’im discern when Eliyahu HaNavi will depart the world, as they ask Elisha, “HaYadata Ki HaYom Hashem Lokei’ach Et Adonecha Mei’Al Roshecha,” “do you know that Hashem is taking your master away from you today?” (Melachim II 2:3 and 2:5). These are great men, and, as Rashi notes (Melachim II 2:2), perhaps they are even equal in stature to Eliyahu HaNavi. Why, then, do they insist on sending a search party for Eliyahu HaNavi (Melachim II 2:16-18) when they know that he has left the world? Why do they think that Eliyahu HaNavi is lost somewhere in a mountain or valley (Melachim II 2:16) and insist on conducting a three-day manhunt for him?

לבניך [AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY] UNTO THY CHILDREN — These are the disciples. Everywhere do we find that disciples are termed בנים, as it is said, (Deuteronomy 14:1) “Ye are children (בנים) of the Lord your God”; and it says, (2 Kings 2:3), “The sons of (בני) the prophets who were in Bethel”. So. too, do we find in the case of Hezekiah that he taught Torah to all Israel and termed them בנים, as it is said, (II Chronicles 29:11), “My sons (בני) be not now negligent". And even as disciples are termed בנים, “children", so the teacher is termed אב, "father", as it is said, (2 Kings 2:12) that Elisha referred to his teacher Elijah by the words, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, etc." (Sifrei Devarim 34:4).