DaasYochid,
Question: Are we being selfish when we bentch someone that he should live ad meah v’esrim? Should we rather wish for him that he [R”L] be killed by terrorists for being Jewish?
Nobody claimed that someone did or should daven for someone to die.
No nobody did, however, the assertion was made that R’ Elchonon died al kiddush Hashem in his 60s because of the tefillos of the Chofetz Chaim. This is the Chofetz Chaim’s beloved talmid we are talking about, and surely the Chofetz Chaim davened for him to live a long life of Torah and sweet goodness, as follows from your answer to my question. If someone approached me and said that someone beloved to me was murdered by terrorists because of my tefillos for myself, I would be hurt tremendously, even though I know dying al kiddush Hashem is a tremendous zechus for the neshama. That’s why nobody in their right mind would ever say something like that to somebody. Do we not owe the holy Chofetz Chaim at least that same regard (even though he has passed away)??
Joseph,
From the beginning I think you have perceived the objection to mik5’s statement as being due to the concept of dying al kiddush Hashem vis a vis R’ Elchonon, and that assumption has largely driven the subsequent discussion. That’s not it for me. My objection is based on regard for the honor of the Chofetz Chaim, and asserting that we know the “mind” of Hashem.