Obama Is 'Not a Friend of Israel': Rabbis, Kabbalists in Jerusalem Hold Special Prayers for Romney Victory

A prayer session for Mitt Romney in Jerusalem. (Photo credit: Akiva Novick)

While American Jews disproportionately favor Democrats (Obama garnered 74 percent of the Jewish vote in 2008), Israelis and American Jews living in Israel are doing all they can to show support for GOP contender Mitt Romney. In fact, adherents of Kabbalah, an esoteric practice within Judaism, are currently engaging in prayers across Jerusalem to help spur the former Massachusetts governor to victory and into a seat in the Oval Office.

Israel National News reports that Kabbalists in Judaism's holy city, along with rabbis and Yeshiva students, have been reading psalms and reciting special prayers to affect the outcome of the 2012 U.S. presidential election. One student told reporters they hope to, "turn the hearts of voters to Romney." The participants were also asked to donate to charity.

When asked why Romney was favored, one Yeshiva president leveled a harsh critique of the current president, saying Obama "has proven that he is not a friend of Israel."

INN adds:

Several weeks ago, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, Rav of the town of Har Bracha and the Rosh Yeshiva of the Har Bracha Yeshiva, called on American olim (immigrants) and visitors with the right to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections to cast their votes for the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.

“All American citizens who believe in G-d and his prophets should vote for Romney,” Rabbi Melamed wrote, and not Obama “who is one of the most hostile presidents ever to Israel.”

"Instead of helping the Nation of Israel to build the Land of Israel, Obama pressures us to stop building in Judea and Samaria and in Jerusalem. It is worthy for American citizens who believe in G-d and his prophets to vote for Mitt Romney for president."

During one of the prayer sessions conducted by the minyan, or group of 10 devout worshippers, the Torah ark was even opened, a ritual reserved only for the holiest moments. According to Ynet, Mitt Romney was dubbed "Moses Romney" and worshippers added the suffix "shlita," which is an honorific typically bestowed upon rabbis. It is an abbreviation for the Hebrew phrase: "May he live days that are pleasant and long."

"This kind of prayer can turn worlds upside down," said Shmuel Ben-Atar, who also works as a radio presenter. He claims that reciting certain psalms and opening the Torah ark combined with donating to the needy is the key.

"People called us from America and asked us to bring about heavenly mercy," he said. "People around the world will pray tonight for Moses Mitt Romney."