"Rabbi Chanina, the deputy High Priest says: Pray for peace of the country."

 

Peace is the greatest and most precious of all attributes. Yet, since the beginning of creation the world has not enjoyed an abundance of peace.  Imagine if the entire world lived together in peace. The nations would dwell together peacefully. There would be peace between husband and wife, neighbors, friends, and all mankind.    

 

Through prayer we have the opportunity to pray for ourselves, as well as others. In this light, Rabbi Chanina advises us to "Pray for the peace of the country." That is, to pray for the whole world to dwell in peace, i.e., each and every country. Our heartfelt prayers to HaShem will bring down blessings of peace upon the entire world, as the verse, "He, Who makes peace in the Heavenly Heights, may He make peace upon us, and upon all Israel."

 

King David even prayed for his enemies, "When they were sick, I put on sackcloth, I afflicted myself with fasting." For when our enemies are at peace, there will be no more war.

Our Prophets envisioned a world of peace between all people and nations; a world where the lion and the lamb will lay peacefully side by side.

 

May our prayers for peace ascend to Heaven, and in turn may we see a world of abundant peace, brotherhood, and loving-kindness.
[Based on the commentary of Rabenu Yona to Pirkei Avos]

 

TODAY: Envision world peace and say a heartfelt prayer for peace and healing of the entire world.