Elijah is a very important prophet for Jews, Islamists, Druze, and Catholics. As Mount Carmel is a mountain range, in the downtown area of Haifa there are two sites commemorating Elijah. One is Stella Maris Monastery, used by Catholics, and nearby is Cave of Elijah, used by Jewish community. It is believed that Elijah stayed here before he fought with prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Many Jews pray here because Elijah healed the widow of Zarephath.
You can visit the place as Non-Jews. No admission fee but make sure you don’t disturb people who are praying! In Haifa, a single ticket allows free transfers in 90 minutes, so you can easily come here before going to the Baha’i Garden!
The entrance…
Elijah and the widow of Zarephath
Elijah healed the son of the widow of Zarephath. Therefore people believe that praying in Elijah’s cave will let their prayers asking for healing and kids be heard.
After these things, it came to pass that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house fell sick, and his sickness was getting much worse until he had no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, “What do I have to do with you, man of God? Have you come to me to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”
He said to her, “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her arms, carried him up to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his own bed. He cried out to Adonai and said, “Adonai my God, have You brought such evil even on the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?” Then he stretched himself upon the child three times. He cried out to Adonai and said, “Adonai my God, please let this child’s soul come back into his body!”
Adonai listened to the cry of Elijah, so the soul of the child came back into his body and he was revived. Then Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “See! Your son is alive.” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word in your mouth is truth.”
The meaning of Elijah’s name
Elijah’s name is in 2 parts. Eli means my God. And Jah is God’s name, like “hallelujah” (praise Yah). So Elijah’s name means “My God is YHVH”
Cave of Elijah
Follow Google Maps, walk through underpass and climb through a flight of stairs, then you’ll reach Elijah’s cave. Stella Maris Monastery is accessible by bus, cable car or hiking. I didn’t have that much time so I visited the Cave of Elijah only.
Mount Carmel isn’t one mountain, rather it’s mountain range. 
This building in front of the cave is a hostel for Jewish pilgrims.
The rock …. yes it looks like a mountain where caves can be found.
Stations for Candle stands. It reminds me that candles are widely used in Catholic Churches too.
An empty chair in a corner, with a donation box on it. It reminds me how an empty chair is always left for Elijah in Pesach (passover).
Now let’s get inside the cave. Jewish people would wash their hands first. I saw Japanese watching hands before entering Japanese shrines, maybe that shows how mankind in general knows we are not clean.
A two-handled vessel is used to obtain ritually clean status. The prayer should be said (written on the wall), thanking the God of universe for giving the commandment of washing hands.
I think we were the only non-Jews and the only Asians… but no on stopped us! So we went in.
I was curious why wine opener is here and why cups! I know wine is used in giving blessings, but in what circumstance would one come here with wine? Hmm…
If you are female, go to your left. It’s opposite to what it is at the kotel.
My first impression of the cave…. wow, what a cool cave! It’s nice and spacious. You can host a ceremony here. There are two cavities, one in girl’s section, and the other is on the eastern wall, covered by a black curtain.
I saw mostly women here. Maybe men are working? Or maybe it is a feminine issue when it comes to barrenness or sickness. Or maybe girls turn to God in need of help.
Why is cloth hung? Information I found online says this is what is done in holy places. Catholics recommend bringing strings of clothes before coming to Israel too. But I need more background on this.
I remember I saw Japanese purchasing prayer boards to be hung in shrines. I see the desires people have for God. For me it is shocking, since I grew up in a baptist church. God’s presence is precious but for me God is reachable, as I have experienced again and again what Yeshua said,
“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.
I sincerely hope people who prayed would experience God’s presence soon.
Billboard and bookshelf is served as separation wall of two sections.
The other cavity is on the left behind the black curtain. It’s for 1 person to used, so whoever wishes to pray privately can go there. 
Tehilah～ Book of praises.
The oldest carving on the wal comes from Byzantine period. Do I think Elijah came here? Why not! I don’t think there are that many caves like this in Mount Carmel anyways! 
Another box for collecting prayers…
Toilet is free to use but it’s not so clean!
