230 The Legends of the Jews
kanah owed wholly to Elijah. He had appeared to him in the form of a venerable old man, and had imparted to him the secret lore taught in the heavenly academy. Be- sides, he led him to a fiery rock whereon mysterious char- acters were engraved, which were deciphered by Elkanah.
After his disciple had thus become thoroughly impreg- nated with mystical teachings, Elijah took him to the tomb of the Patriarchs, and thence to the heavenly academy. But the angels, little pleased by the intrusion of one " born of woman," inspired him with such terror that be besought Elijah to carry him back to earth. His mentor allayed his fears, and long continued to instruct him in the mystical science, according to the system his disciple has recorded in his two works."
The Kabbalists in general were possessed of the power to cite Elijah, to conjure him up by means of certain for- mulas.'00 One of them, Rabbi Joseph della Reyna, once called upon Elijah in this way, but it proved his own un- doing. He was a saintly scholar, and he had conceived no less a purpose than to bring about the redemption of man by the conquest of the angel Samael, the Prince of Evil. After many prayers and vigils and long indulgence in fasting, and other ascetic practices, Rabbi Joseph united himself with his five disciples for the purpose of conjuring up Elijah. When the prophet, obeying the summons, suddenly stood before him, Rabbi Joseph spoke as follows : " Peace be with thee, our master! True prophet, bearer of salvation, be not dis- pleased with me that I have troubled thee to come hither. God knows, I have not done it for myself, and not for mine own honor. I am zealous for the name and the honor of
