Special needs adoption from a Jewish perspective.

Special needs adoption from a Jewish perspective.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Amidah - part 12 - "Minnim"

The next blessing is a bit complicated.  It is believed to have been introduced after the inception of Christianity, and partly in response to it:


Let there be no hope for informers, and may all wickedness instantly perish; may all the enemies of Your people be speedily extirpated; and may You swiftly uproot, break, crush and subdue the reign of wickedness speedily in our days. Blessed are You L-rd, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.

Since Christianity splits the identity of G*d into the Trinity, it represented a form of heresy to mainstream Judaism. There have been many others since then.

Instead of sectarian conflict, I choose to see this blessing as a channeling of our negative emotions towards our enemies, real or perceived.  Note that it is the wickedness which should perish -- not the enemies themselves!  We do not wish death upon our enemies: We wish for them to be cut off, subdued, and turned to righteousness.

How timely in this season of political and religious conflict!

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