All I know about Judaism I learned from The Devil's Arithmetic? (Okay, this is no longer true, but I distinctly learned the Elijah-chair thing in that book [which I read in 4th grade], since it's a major plot spur.)
Edit: Actually, it's the opening the door for Elijah that spurs the plot. Maybe I'm fabricating/conflating?
Will investigate at home. (I think I still own the book. Plus of course I can ask the Internet about Elijah-chair.)
Edit: Okay, the book only has Elijah's Cup (which, sidebar, I don't recall being a part of the seders I've been to, but I've only been to two so maybe I'm just forgetting) and opening the door for Elijah. But the Internet (searching Elijah + empty chair, results include Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110207120610AAOMOPJ)) confirms that leaving an empty chair for Elijah is a Thing.
no subject
Edit: Actually, it's the opening the door for Elijah that spurs the plot. Maybe I'm fabricating/conflating?
Will investigate at home. (I think I still own the book. Plus of course I can ask the Internet about Elijah-chair.)
Edit: Okay, the book only has Elijah's Cup (which, sidebar, I don't recall being a part of the seders I've been to, but I've only been to two so maybe I'm just forgetting) and opening the door for Elijah. But the Internet (searching Elijah + empty chair, results include Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110207120610AAOMOPJ)) confirms that leaving an empty chair for Elijah is a Thing.