Eliyahu HaNavi Reveals He Is Not a Kohen
Asked whether he is a kohen, Eliyahu HaNavi says he is from Shevet Binyamin, and explains that the first small loaf he asked the widow for hinted at Moshiach ben Yosef.
Tosfos records a fascinating incident which provides an alternate answer to the last two questions. The real reason that Eliyahu HaNavi was allowed to stand in a cemetery and bury Rebbe Akiva was that, in fact, he was not a kohen! Tosfos cites Eliyahu Rabba that suggested that Eliyahu HaNavi was a descendant of the children of Leah. Eliyahu HaNavi himself responded that, in fact, he is from Shevet Binyamin! He even cited his lineage. They countered that in Melachim (11) Eliyahu HaNavi told a woman to bake bread for herself and her son. However, he asked that he should be given the first small loaf. They suggested, “Weren’t you asking for a small loaf first because you wanted the widow to separate challah? As a kohen is entitled to challah.” Eliyahu responded, “No. I asked for a small loaf because that child was Moshiach ben Yosef. I wanted to hint to him that when the time comes, I will arrive first to herald the arrival of Moshiach ben Yosef.”