Q&A: Why It Is Forbidden to Pray a Futile Prayer
Why It Is Forbidden to Pray a Futile Prayer
Question
Hello Rabbi,
In the last mysticism class you spoke about futile prayers and took it for granted, of course, that they are forbidden. I wanted to ask why, and what is the source that they are forbidden?
Best regards,
Answer
This also appears in the column. I did not assume that they are forbidden. From the language of the Talmud it seems that they are merely unnecessary. But the halakhic decisors understood that there is also a prohibition here, because otherwise the discussion seems a bit unnecessary (it would deal only with recommendations). Especially since the Shulchan Arukh brings this as Jewish law. I also noted that Maimonides’ omission seems to reflect the position that this is not a halakhic prohibition but rather a recommendation.
But if we are not dealing with a halakhic prohibition, but only with the statement that it is unnecessary, then that strengthens even more my fundamental view that rejects divine involvement in the world. That is essentially what is written here in the Talmud.
Discussion on Answer
I said that too. But in the discussion I assumed the accepted interpretation, that this is a prohibition.
But even if the Talmud says that there is no point in asking because the Holy One, blessed be He, is not involved, there is still no reason to say those requests. It may not be forbidden (except for a blessing in vain), but it is falsehood. Like the Talmud in Yoma, “Where are His awesome deeds?”—the Holy One, blessed be He, hates falsehood.
Seemingly, the prohibition on a futile prayer is meant to prevent a person anguish, so that he should not pray and then have his prayer go unanswered.
In the class you said that apparently there is a prohibition against praying the Amidah, because it contains futile prayers. But then you said that there are those who permit praying a futile prayer for the sake of the community, and therefore one can still pray. Why not also permit it on the grounds that a futile prayer is not actually forbidden?