SUMMARY

• Zecharias, the father of Yochanon the Immerser, was a Levitical priest who was selected to go to the Temple to perform his priestly duties.

• While burning incense, he prayed the Amidah (18 benedictions) which includes a prayer for the ingathering of the exiles and the coming of the Messiah. Associated with this is the coming of Elijah who precedes the coming of the Messiah

• The angel Gabriel told Zecharias that he would have a son who was to be named, Yochanon, who would be of the spirit and power of Elijah