Friday, 9 October 2020

Praying for the health of an ailing opponent

Posted on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency site is a feature, "Should Jews pray for Trump’s health? Are they required to?" by Laura E. Adkins. Some rabbis were asked to respond. From Rabbi David Wolpe (Sinai Temple, Los Angeles) came the following: 

“Judaism teaches we should pray for the sick, not for the sick whom we like, and I am mindful of Pirkei Avot 4:19 [4:24 in many versions], not to rejoice in the downfall of one’s enemies. I appreciate the savagery of the political divide, but I hope no matter who is suffering with this dangerous disease, we can pray both that they will heal and also that they will learn from the experience, and grow more open-hearted and compassionate, as we hope for all of us in any trial or tragedy.”

I thought this a magnanimous and positive application of Avot.