Q. Dear Rabbi. During the recent cruel and brutal Hamas attacks on Israel, many Arab civilians are also suffering including small children and babies. Is it correct to include them also in our Tefilot?

A. In principle all of our Tefilos and prayers are directed also to the welfare of the world, all people and nations.

The prophet Yeremiahu (29: 7) wrote from Babel “And seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to Hashem in its behalf; for in its prosperity you shall prosper.” Malbim, a 19th century commentator, explains that abundance comes to the Jewish community through Babel, and thus we must pray for the governments of the nations in which we live.

A similar saying is to be found In Pirkei Avos (3: 2), Rabbi Chanina teaches: “Pray for the welfare of the kingdom”

In the days of the Bais Hamikdosh the Korbonos on Succos were brought to bring protection and success for the gentile nations.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a