Q&A: Deterioration in Berland’s Medical Condition
Deterioration in Berland’s Medical Condition
Question
https://rotter.net/forum/scoops1/634166.shtml
There has been a deterioration over the last day in Rabbi Berland’s medical condition. He was transferred from Tzalmon Prison, where he has been under arrest for several months, to Poriya Hospital in Tiberias.
According to people close to him, the rabbi is supposed to undergo a life-saving operation. Earlier this week it was published in the WhatsApp group of Rabbi Berland’s supporters that, "Due to his deteriorating health condition, Rabbi Berland again did not call in to his lesson by phone, nor to the afternoon and evening prayers with the community of his students. As stated, this is the second time this week; there is concern among his students."
How should one properly relate to something like this? Stay silent? Say that he is receiving his punishment? Express joy over it? Express sadness and compassion?
Should one recite Psalms for him? Should people who recite Psalms for him be ostracized? Are his supporters fit to complete a prayer quorum?
Answer
The man is apparently very problematic, and his supporters, at least a large portion of them, are no less problematic. But I do not see why they cannot complete a prayer quorum.
I cannot decide for you whom to pray for (if such prayer helps at all). Decide for yourself.
There is no need to say anything about this matter. Why does something have to be said about everything? Whatever happens to him will happen, and that’s that.
Discussion on Answer
It is highly recommended to watch the Kan documentary about him and the exposé they did on avoiding medical treatment, and to understand that he is indeed insane and sick, but also vile and despicable. One should hope for his departure.
Havruta, Berakhot 10a
Those hooligans, violent people, who lived in Rabbi Meir’s neighborhood, were causing him a great deal of distress. Rabbi Meir wanted to pray for mercy concerning them so that they would die. For the death of the wicked of Israel is beneficial for them, so that they not become deeply rooted in sin; and their death is also their atonement; and also so that they not receive their reward in this world, in order that they receive it in the World to Come.
Beruriah his wife said to him: What makes you think to pray that they should die? Because it is written, “Let sins cease” (Psalms 104:35), and you interpret the verse to mean that the sinful people should die.
But that is not the meaning! Does it say, “Let sinners cease”? It says, “Let sins cease”! The meaning is that sinful acts should cease.
And Beruriah his wife made another argument to him: Go and continue to the end of the verse, which concludes, “and the wicked will be no more.” Obviously, if the sinful people die, then there are no more wicked people; therefore the verse must mean that when sinful acts cease, those same people will no longer be in the category of wicked.
Rather, ask for mercy for them that they should repent, and then “the wicked will be no more”!
Rabbi Meir prayed for mercy for them, and they repented.