Dennis Prager, the longtime commentator and author, recently reflected on his experience of coping with a life-altering spinal cord injury, emphasizing themes of memory, gratitude, and resilience. Despite significant physical limitations that now require him to dictate his work rather than type it, Prager remains committed to his writing and moral advocacy.
Prager’s latest book, *If There Is No God: The Battle Over Who Defines Good and Evil*, was published in February, completed during his recovery. He is currently focused on finishing the final volume of his Rational Bible series, a commentary on Leviticus. While acknowledging the losses caused by his injury—such as the inability to type or use a computer mouse—he stressed the importance of balancing grief with what remains possible. “I’m extremely productive now,” he said, “but there is so much that I miss.”
Central to Prager’s response to adversity is a belief in the power of memory. Preparing a recent Yom Kippur sermon deepened his understanding of memory as a vital link that connects individuals and societies to their histories and identities. “We are our memories,” he said, underscoring the importance of preserving collective memory in sustaining national and cultural continuity. Prager voiced concern that Western societies, including the United States, are losing touch with their historical roots, warning that such amnesia could lead to profound dangers, including societal collapse.
Prager also addressed Jewish identity and history, rejecting victimhood as a defining characteristic despite acknowledging the extensive suffering Jews have endured. Instead, he emphasized the Jewish responsibility tied to their belief in being a chosen people with a mission to uphold moral law. “We have a special role,” he said, “and if we don’t fulfill it, the world is not going to get better.”
His reflections extended to complex theological questions about providence, fate, and evil. Prager expressed skepticism about attributing all events, including historical tragedies, directly to divine will. He grappled with the difficulty of reconciling faith with the existence of immense suffering, concluding that luck plays a significant role in human experiences, including such personal matters as his parents’ long marriage. Nonetheless, he upheld gratitude—especially for enduring historical blessings like the Exodus—as essential.
Discussing the challenges of living with his injury, Prager described the financial and systemic burdens he faces. He noted a drastic reduction in income and the high cost of around-the-clock nursing care, criticizing Medicare’s coverage limitations for home-based spinal cord injury care. “Medicare does not cover spinal cord injuries that are taken care of at home,” he said, adding a broader skepticism toward government programs.
Despite these hurdles, Prager highlighted the support he has received, including personal outreach from former President Donald Trump and thousands of messages of encouragement. His psychiatrist has described him as having “great shock absorbers,” a metaphor Prager accepted to describe his emotional resilience. “I don’t want to be depressed. I don’t want to be dead. I still love life,” he said.
Prager’s outlook remains pragmatic and grounded. He declined to offer predictions about the future of Western civilization but emphasized the necessity of continued effort in defense of his values. He called on individuals to consciously focus on the positives in life, noting the human tendency to dwell on negative memories and urging a more logical and compassionate mindset.
In sum, Prager’s experience and reflections illustrate a determination to find purpose and meaning in the face of profound personal loss, while warning of broader cultural challenges posed by forgetting the lessons of the past.