THE LORD’S PRAYER
Question: A rabbi who has joined Alcoholics Anonymous discovered that the meetings conclude with the recitation of “The Lord’s Prayer.” He personally does not feel uncomfortable with that prayer, but wonders whether it is appropriate for him as a rabbi to participate in its recital.
Answer: As you have indicated in your letter, it is clear that “The Lord’s Prayer” is Jewish in spirit and parallels a number of ancient Jewish prayers. This has been discussed at some length by a wide variety of Jewish scholars from Kaufmann Kohler to Jakob Petuchowski (Kaufmann Kohler, “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. VIII, pp. 183f; C. G. Montefiore, Rabbinic Literature and Gospel Teachings; Jakob Petuchowski and Michael Brocke, The Lord’s Prayer and Jewish Liturgy).
The problem does not lie with the origin of the prayer, or its talmudic parallels (Ber. 16b f, 29b; Tosefta Ber. 3.7), but with the fact that Jesus taught it to his disciples (Matt. 6:9ff; Luke ll:lff). Furthermore, it has become the central prayer of Christianity, and, in fact, is one of the strongest bonds between the Catholic and Protestant forms of Christianity. Although its content is neutral and it does not contain any direct reference to Christianity, its origin with Jesus and its strong Christian overtones make its use unacceptable to Jews. It would, therefore, be wrong for Jews to recite it even in a non-religious setting such as Alcoholics Anonymous. As it is recited at the conclusion of the meeting, there is really no reason to participate. One can stand in silence, and I am sure that this would be respected and understood.
Walter Jacob, Chairman CCAR Responsa Committee