Does He Drink

The Gemoro (Eruvin 43a) assumes that אליהו הנביא  cannot appear on Shabbos or Yom Tov,

because of the Issur of Chutz L’tchum. (if Issur Techumin is Lemaloh Meiasarah )

How can we say at a Bris, on Shabbos & Yom Tov “Zeh Hakisei Shel Eliyahu—עמוד על ימיני - ?

The Shu”t Chasam Sofer (Chelek 6-98) explains that there are two parts to אליהו הנביא. His

גוף (body) which is resting in Gan Eden Hatachton, in this world. The other part is his

נשמה, which went up to heaven and serves as a Malach.

At a Bris he appears as a Malach (Malach Habris) from heaven. A Malach is not

obligated to keep the Mitzvohs. There also is no Din of Techumin from heaven to earth

(Tosfos 45b dh. Leima) .

When the time will come, Bimeheiro Veyomeinu to bring us the Besura of Higia Z’man

Geulaschem, E. Hanavi will appear with his גוף & נשמה.  at this stage he is like any

Yid who is Mechuyav in Mitzvohs . He can’t come on Shabbos & Y.T. from Gan Eden

Hatachton which is Chutz L’tchum.

According to this Chasam Sofer, For  E. Hanavi to appear at the seder, can only be as a

נשמה.  He can’t come as a גוף since it would be Chutz L'Tchum.

As a גוף he could drink the wine prepared for him As a נשמה the only way 

for him to drink is by us shaking the table. 

Hence the Minhag of shaking the table and telling the children to watch 

אליהו הנביא  is drinking the wine.

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