May one pray for a person who has a terminal and painful illness, to pass away?[1]
Although one is to pray for a person to be healed even if “a sword is resting on his neck”, and the situation seems hopeless[2], nevertheless, if a person is suffering much pain and has a terminal illness from which there is no known medical recovery, one may pray for the person to pass away.
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[1] Kesubos 104a that Rebbe’s mother prayed for him to die due to his suffering; Nedarim 40a “He does not pray for him to live or die” as explained in Ran ibid; Bava Metzia 4; Aruch Hashulchan 335:3; Igros Moshe Choshen Mishpat 2:73
[2] Brachos 10a in story of Chizkia and Yeshaya the Navi
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