Elijah the Prophet pendant

Elijah the prophet never died.

He was walking with his student past the Jordan when a chariot of fire and horses of fire tore the road between them, and a whirlwind carried him up to heaven.

And because he never died, he never really left. To this day, a cup of wine waits for him at every Passover seder, the door is opened for him, and an empty chair is kept for him at every brit.

Most paintings show the scene from below: a small chariot vanishing into the clouds. I wanted to stand right in front of the horses. Manes on fire, hooves striking the ground, the prophet behind them with his staff in hand. Deep oxidation fills every recess, so the polished flames and muscles catch the light.

No grave. No goodbye. Just fire.

For anyone drawn to Gothic Judaica, to Elijah's empty chair, or to the kind of exit that leaves a legend behind.