Why It Matters : Israel Reacts to Obama's Private Prayer

Newsweek - National News, World News, Health, Technology, Entertainment and more... | Newsweek.com

Why It Matters

RSS

Authors

Christopher Dickey

Email |
Bio

Christian Caryl

Email |
Bio

Melinda Liu

Email |
Bio

Stryker McGuire

Email |
Bio

Owen Matthews

Email |

Featured Postings

Bolivia's Democratic Divide

6:10 PM, August 13, 2008 | Comments (2)

By Andrew Bast This weekend witnessed a worrying twist of fate in Bolivia. Voters went to the polls in a national referendum on the country’s leadership, and President Evo Morales won in a landslide . He took more than sixty percent of the vote, higher...

Israel Reacts to Obama's Private Prayer

12:50 PM, July 29, 2008 | Comments (27)

Afghanistan’s Growing Refugee Crisis

10:48 AM, July 10, 2008 | Comments (5)

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

Israel Reacts to Obama's Private Prayer

Newsweek

By Kevin Peraino

Nearly a week after Barack Obama made a brief campaign stop in Jerusalem, Israelis are still shaking their heads over the aggressive reporting of their local news media. Last week the Israeli daily Ma'ariv published a photo of the prayer note Obama tucked between the stones of the Western Wall--a common tradition among Israelis and foreign tourists. "Lord -- Protect my family and me," said the note, which was written on the stationery of the King David Hotel, where Obama was staying. "Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will." (Obama's spokespeople later declined to confirm or deny that the prayer was his.)

The theft--by a student at a local yeshiva--was quickly condemned by the religious figures in charge of the wall. "The notes placed between the stones of the Western Wall are between a person and his maker," Shmuel Rabinovitz, the rabbi who manages the site, told a local radio station. "It is forbidden to read them or make any use of them." Rabinovitz and his colleagues do occasionally round up the notes to make more space, but those prayers are then buried unread on the nearby Mount of Olives. In Obama's case, the yeshiva student ultimately returned the note, but by then newspapers around the world had published its contents.

Among Israelis, ever conscious of their country's image abroad, and especially in the United States, the theft continues to generate criticism in the local blogosphere. On the Web site of the Jerusalem Post over the weekend, one reader complained that the theft was a violation of Jewish religious law and demanded a public apology. "Just hope that Obama will refrain from suing the jerk, even though he deserves it," the reader wrote. Others called for a boycott of Ma'ariv for publishing the note. Still, other Israelis dismissed the theft and view the prayer note primarily as a savvy campaign ploy. "He wrote the note knowing it may very well become public," said one. "Obama is not stupid."

Middle East, Featured

Permalink: http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/ov/archive/2008/07/29/israel-reacts-to-obama-s-private-prayer.aspx

Type Size

Social Networks

Permalink: http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/ov/archive/2008/07/29/israel-reacts-to-obama-s-private-prayer.aspx

TrackBack URL: http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/ov/trackback.aspx?PostID=527517

You must be a registered user to comment. Click here to register. Already a user? Click here to login.

Member Comments

Posted By: teddyo (July 31, 2008 at 6:11 PM)

No excuse! But I'm sure President Obama has already forgive this young man. Now let' all move on to what really matters.

Report Abuse

Posted By: befair (July 30, 2008 at 6:37 PM)

Sen. Obama did not release this prayer for publication as some on this site have said. That is such an outragious lie and those who are saying it know they are lying. As soon as I read this article, I knew there would be dishonest people saying shameful things about it. The prayer was from his heart and it was deeply personal. That is why the distortion started right away, because these hateful people know it was a look into Obama's inner-most thoughts and feelings and what it revealed was a humble, thoughtful and spiritual man. God is watching and listening and I know he is going to take care of Obama and his family just like the prayer asked and I also know we all have to answer for our sins and those on these sites spreading delibrate false-hoods will have to answer to God for it.

Report Abuse

Posted By: Evax (July 30, 2008 at 11:34 AM)

Based on the Muslim tradition in Obama's family history, it is conceivable that Obama will be more friendly to Muslims than McCain. Jews have to be prepared to live with Muslims in harmony through Obama's bond, or else.

Report Abuse

Show All Comments (27) »