A worldwide Christian prayer event is being planned for October 7, 2026, כ״ו בתשרי תשפ״ז, in support of Israel.

According to the organizers’ current website, it will be a 24-hour global prayer gathering, broadcast live from Jerusalem and “anchored at the Western Wall.” The organizers say that believers from every nation will unite in prayer and are inviting churches, ministries, pastors, prayer networks and Christian organizations around the world to participate. Their website currently describes the event as being “Live from the Western Wall (Kotel), Jerusalem, Israel.”

This raises a serious question:

Should the Kotel, the place most closely associated with Jewish prayer, become the setting for a worldwide Christian prayer event?

This question is not about hostility toward Christians. Quite the opposite.

There are Christians around the world who have stood with Israel and with the Jewish people, especially during some of our most difficult times. We are deeply grateful to them.

Many have spoken openly against antisemitism, defended Israel when it was under attack, helped Israel in difficult times and prayed for the safety of the Jewish people. Their support has meant a great deal to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel. We should recognize this support and say clearly: we are tremendously grateful.

Precisely because we appreciate this friendship, we should be able to speak honestly about where we must draw the line.

Our gratitude for Christian support does not require us to combine our religious practices.

We can stand together.

We can work together.

We can respect one another.

But we do not need to pray together.

The Oneness of Hashem

“Beware lest your heart be seduced, and you turn away and serve other gods and bow down to them.”— Devarim 11:16

The oneness of Hashem is at the heart of Judaism. It means that we must be clear about what Jewish belief and Jewish prayer are, and what belongs to another religion.

There is an important difference between Jews and Christians working together on matters such as helping Israel, fighting antisemitism or helping people in need, and joining together in religious prayer.

These are two different things.

We can have good relations with people of other faiths without taking part in their religious practices.

The Danger of Being Drawn After Another Religion

Chazal also teach us to be careful about religious beliefs that are not our own.

The Gemara in Avodah Zarah (27b) says:

“She’ani minut demashcha, de’asi le’mimshach basrah.”

“Minut is different, because a person may be drawn after it.”

The Gemara is warning us about the danger of being drawn toward religious beliefs that are foreign to Judaism.

This does not mean that Jews cannot have good relationships with non-Jews. Jewish law recognizes peaceful relations, helping others and normal cooperation in society.

But religious prayer is different.

When the issue is religious belief and prayer, we have to be especially careful to keep the distinction between Judaism and other religions clear.

What Does Halachah Say About Christianity?

The halachic discussion concerning Christianity is complex, and the Rishonim and Acharonim do not all speak in exactly the same way.

The Rambam, however, speaks very clearly about........

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