Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the former chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel, has been hospitalized in serious condition for more than a month. We all pray that he should have a refuah shlaymah, a full recovery. However, one devoted follower has taken it a step further as reported in Haaretz:
The advertisement, displayed all around Jerusalem, asks for people to donate a year of their life towards the lifespan of Rabbi Eliyahu. Where does this idea come from? There are other more traditionally grounded approaches in Judaism of contributing towards the recovery of a sick person. These approaches include adding a name to their Hebrew name, the recitation of Psalms, the inclusion of their name in a prayer for the sick said in synagogues and the donation of charity in their merit.
What does this significant request come to signify about the relationship of certain segments of Orthodox Judaism with their rabbinic leadership? What role do the rabbis play in these communities, both pragmatically and theologically? There are no easy answers to these very difficult questions.
How does this work? How many years of your life can you trade? Does it only work if the person is your rabbi? or can you trade for a sick child as well? It says a great deal not only about the position of the rabbi but also the bargins you can make with god.
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