Q&A: Prayers
Prayers
Question
Happy festival days!
Why does the Talmud say that "if someone has a sick person in his household, he should go to a sage who will pray for him"?
Answer
Perhaps because a sage has greater merit, or because he knows better how to pray (in the sense of "the righteous decrees and the Holy One, blessed be He, fulfills"). Or perhaps the sage will teach him not to rebel against suffering and will comfort him (especially according to the version that says he has distress and a sick person in his household).
Discussion on Answer
Only with the last explanation.
"The king's wrath is messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it."
The verse is not talking about prayers.
I don't see that as necessary. But the medieval authorities (Rishonim) disagree about this here. Some explained that it is referring to the sage's blessing.
Can you understand the Talmud according to your approach, that prayers are in any case not answered?