We have been discussing the job of Eliyahu HaNavi in the future. He comes for one purpose: to bring peace into the world. We need that peace in the world in order for Mashiach to come, because Mashiach can’t come until we fix the scent of baseless hatred.
The Maharit, Rav Yosef of Trani who lived in the times of Bet Yosef, brings down a fascinating concept (Parashat Pinchas derush2):
Many of us know that Eliyahu HaNavi, who lives forever, was originally known as Pinchas.
Pinchas killed the prince Zimri after he sinned with Kosbi bat Sur, the harlot who came out to entice the Jewish men.
Pinchas risked his life, stabbed them both, and caused God’s anger to dissipate.
God says of Pinchas, “I will give him the covenant of Peace.”
He got the Nobel peace prize. The question is, Pinchas was seemingly a murderer, so who did he make peace with? The answer is that he brought the ultimate peace, between God and the Jewish people. He brought kapara/atonement.
Therefore, Pinchas is the ultimate peacemaker forever.
And thus, Eliyahu HaNavi is the peacemaker, because God gave him that Nobel Peace Prize of the covenant of peace.
That is why, as he quotes from the Midrash, all the Kohanim Gedolim came from Pinchas’ lineage.
The job of the Kohen Gadol, especially on Yom Kippur, is to bring Selicha and Kapara.
Eliyahu HaNavi is the man of ultimate peace, between God and the Jewish people. Pinchas and Eliyahu share this common theme.
Furthermore, the Chatam Sofer says that,
“I will give him the covenant of peace,” is written in the future tense because the ultimate peace of Eliyahu HaNavi/Pinchas. will happen in the future, at the end of time.
The Zohar says that it says “Bnei Aharon” in order to stress that the Pinchas’ grandfather was Aharon HaKohen, and he got this middah of Shalom from his grandfather, who was Ohev Shalom V’Rodef Shalom.
This was the trait of the Kohanim that was instilled in Pinchas, which will eventually save the world, Because he will be the one that will bring shalom, which we need for the ultimate coming of Mashiach.
Have a wonderful day.