Is it alright to pray for another person's death?

by Rabbi Eliezer Gurkow

Library » Mitzvot » Prayer » About | Subscribe | What is RSS? PRINT EMAIL COMMENT No it isn't.   I'm not sure why you would want to but here is something from the Talmud:    The Talmud relates a remarkable discussion that took place between the great sage Rabbi Meir and his learned wife, Bruriah. She overheard her husband praying for the downfall of a particularly vexing neighbor and advised him to pray for "an end to the vexing rather than the downfall of the vexer."   Citing the Biblical verse, "All sin shall cease," she argued, "The sins must cease, not the sinners." Rabbi Meir accepted her wise advice and prayed accordingly. Sure enough, the neighbor soon stopped his vexing ways. The sins must cease, not the sinners This story underscores the Torah's approach to all sin. The act must never be condoned but the actors must also never be dismissed. We must work to educate rather than to denigrate.* * There are exceptions to the idea discussed. See "What is Judaism’s opinion on capital punishment?" , and "Can there be any justification for war and/or murder?" ADD A COMMENT Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in). RELATED CATEGORIES Mitzvot » Love thy Neighbor Jewish Identity » Love thy Neighbor Email to a friend Post a comment cancel Loading...