10 Iyar · Yahrzeit
Eli Kohen HaGadol
Eli Kohen HaGadol (the High Priest) - (988 BCE (2773) - 890 BCE (2871)) - judged the people of Israel for 40 years (I Samuel 4:18), during the period of the Judges in Israel.
Yahrzeit - 10 Iyar
Burial place - Shiloh
He was a descendant of Itamar, son of Aharon HaKohen. (Yalkut Shimoni, Shoftim 68)
According to the testimony of the Kabbalists, he was a new incarnation of the soul of the High Priest Aharon (Seder HaDorot).
He was a leader of Israel, Kohen HaGadol (High Priest), and head of the Sanhedrin. (Yalkut HaMechiri, Tehillim 75:4)
The "Sefer Tagin" was copied by Eli from the 12 stones which Yehoshua bin Nun had set up in Gilgal, and [Eli in turn] passed it on to the prophet Shmuel. (Otzar HaMidrashim 564)
Chana [who was praying silently in Eli's presence], upon being suspected of drunkenness, said: "No, my lord" (I Samuel 1:15). "You are not an expert in this matter, and Divine inspiration does not rest upon you, if you judge me to be drunk." (Berachot 31b)
Yet Eli blessed Chana: "Go in peace," Eli blessed her, "and may the G-d of Israel grant your request, that which you have asked of Him." (I Samuel 1:9-17, Rashi and Radak)
His blessing was fulfilled: after a certain time, Chana, who had been childless for many years and had begged the Creator for a son, gave birth to a child named Shmuel (I Samuel 1:20). Two years later, Chana brought the young Shmuel to Eli at the Tabernacle, saying: "For this child I prayed, and G-d has granted my request. ...And I dedicate him to G-d for all the days of his life." (I Samuel 1:20, 1:24-28, Radak)
Thus Eli gained a student, and later his closest aide (ibid. 2:11, 2:18, 2:26, 3:1). This was especially important to him, since his sons Chofni and Pinchas had strayed from the righteous path and were desecrating the Name of G-d through their actions.
Eli aged [prematurely] because of his sons Chofni and Pinchas. (Agadat Bereishit)
Before Eli's sun had set, the sun of the prophet Shmuel had risen. (Kiddushin 72b)
Eli died on 10 Iyar. (end of Megillat Taanit)
When Eli died, Shiloh was destroyed, and [the Sanctuary was moved] to Nov. (Zevachim 118b)
In the house of Eli there are no sages appointed [to render halachic rulings], for [G-d said to Eli] "there shall not be an elder in your house." (I Samuel 2:32) (Sanhedrin 14a)
The iniquity of the house of Eli shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering. (I Samuel 3:14)
It cannot be atoned for by sacrifice or offering [for their iniquity is atoned for by sacrifices (Metzudat David)], but it is atoned for through the study of Torah and the practice of kindness. (Rosh HaShanah 18a)
There was a family in Jerusalem whose members would usually die at the age of 18. They were of the house of Eli, [to whom G-d said:] "All the offspring of your house shall die in their youth." (I Samuel 2:33)
May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!
https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/210-Eli-Kohen-Gadol-High-priest
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Yishmael Kohen HaGadol