On your other point for davvening for the state, keep in mind, Rabbi Chaninna lived under the Roman Empire, which slaughtered Jews, and enslaved Jews whenever they felt like it (besides the facts of the churban habayis). The government was appointed by the Romans; much of the time Hellenistic Jews who despised the charadim and tried to assist in doing away with the Torah as we know it . Still, he recommend to davven for the welfare from the government. Would you really equate the Israeli Government to the Romans? Would you really equate the Israeli government to Hitler? Just to clarify, if you live in chutz laaretz, you do not have an obligation to pray for the Israeli government. It is only to the country you live in. However, if you live in Eretz Yisroel, I do not see how you can bypass a mishna, navi, and historical facts. I would love to be enlightened on this.
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