Description: World of Tefillah 03
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 96-97
If we want a real picture of how the ‘World of Tefillah’ looks, think of it this way. Imagine you are making an order over the phone, (I know, that’s so last century,) for an expensive product. Not fruits and vegetables, but something big, like a piece of furniture or an appliance. You get on the phone with the salesman or woman and start to describe what you need. You explain your needs, the space limitations, the quality you’re looking for, and finally, your price range. You hope that they can find a product that will fill your needs, last long, and not break the bank. You have a certain color in mind, and will be disappointed if you have to settle for something else. This conversation would probably take a good few minutes until you are satisfied that you are both on the same page.
If we live in the world of tefillah, then the same conversation, or a very similar one takes place first with Hashem. You explain what your needs are, and yes, He knows it all already – but that’s not the point – you are communicating with Hashem so that He can fill your needs. You would tell Him all the details that are important to you down to the color – if it’s important to you and you want that need filled – there’s only one address who can see it filled! Sometimes this feels strange, to ‘bother’ Hashem with something seemingly petty. But if its something we care about – we have to ask Hashem for it! Nothing that matters to us is petty. Everything counts!
Now, this is an impressive level to be on. If, and more realistically, since we are not on this level, for us to daven like that would be a little fake. We can’t expect our hearts to change radically. Hearts don’t do sudden changes. If we want to feel something for real it takes repeated effort, chipping away little by little, until this starts to become real and natural.
It’s important to put tefillah into perspective. We daven for all sorts of things that are so important to us. We daven for sick people to become well, for people to have children, others should find a livelihood, and our children should be successful, we should be healthy, and so on. Truly, tefillah has the innate ability to bring tremendous ‘yeshuos’ and an outpouring of brachah. But these are secondary to the real purpose of tefillah. Tefillah is always about communicating and connecting to Hashem. Tefillah is the primary form of devaikus in Hashem, so that we can have a relationship with the ‘Chai Ha’olamim.’ It’s vital to always remember that no matter what we are davening for, that is secondary to the fact that we are davening! We are talking to the Melech Malchei Hamelachim!
In truth, all forms of Avodas Hashem are principally forms of devaikus in Hashem as we have discussed previously, but by tefillah in particular it so important not to lose sight of what we are really doing, and not get sidetracked by the need we are davening for. Tefillah comes from the same root as Naftali, as Leah said, ‘Naftuli Elokim Niftalti,’ I have connected with Hashem! This is the essence of davening.
There’s a pasuk in Tehillim which Rav Shimshon Pincus zatzal would expound upon. ‘Ki tov chasdechah mi’chayim, sefosai yeshabechunchah.’ Your kindness is better than life, my lips will praise you. What does this mean? He would give a mashal to someone who suffered from an illness and was attended by a doctor. Over the course of treatment, they became good friends. When he finally recovered, he said, “I am grateful that you healed me, but I am even happier that I have gained a new friend!” Your kindness, meaning the relationship Hashem grants us, is a greater gift that the life that He grants us! That’s why we praise Him – that’s why we daven.
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 96-97
If we want a real picture of how the ‘World of Tefillah’ looks, think of it this way. Imagine you are making an order over the phone, (I know, that’s so last century,) for an expensive product. Not fruits and vegetables, but something big, like a piece of furniture or an appliance. You get on the phone with the salesman or woman and start to describe what you need. You explain your needs, the space limitations, the quality you’re looking for, and finally, your price range. You hope that they can find a product that will fill your needs, last long, and not break the bank. You have a certain color in mind, and will be disappointed if you have to settle for something else. This conversation would probably take a good few minutes until you are satisfied that you are both on the same page.
If we live in the world of tefillah, then the same conversation, or a very similar one takes place first with Hashem. You explain what your needs are, and yes, He knows it all already – but that’s not the point – you are communicating with Hashem so that He can fill your needs. You would tell Him all the details that are important to you down to the color – if it’s important to you and you want that need filled – there’s only one address who can see it filled! Sometimes this feels strange, to ‘bother’ Hashem with something seemingly petty. But if its something we care about – we have to ask Hashem for it! Nothing that matters to us is petty. Everything counts!
Now, this is an impressive level to be on. If, and more realistically, since we are not on this level, for us to daven like that would be a little fake. We can’t expect our hearts to change radically. Hearts don’t do sudden changes. If we want to feel something for real it takes repeated effort, chipping away little by little, until this starts to become real and natural.
It’s important to put tefillah into perspective. We daven for all sorts of things that are so important to us. We daven for sick people to become well, for people to have children, others should find a livelihood, and our children should be successful, we should be healthy, and so on. Truly, tefillah has the innate ability to bring tremendous ‘yeshuos’ and an outpouring of brachah. But these are secondary to the real purpose of tefillah. Tefillah is always about communicating and connecting to Hashem. Tefillah is the primary form of devaikus in Hashem, so that we can have a relationship with the ‘Chai Ha’olamim.’ It’s vital to always remember that no matter what we are davening for, that is secondary to the fact that we are davening! We are talking to the Melech Malchei Hamelachim!
In truth, all forms of Avodas Hashem are principally forms of devaikus in Hashem as we have discussed previously, but by tefillah in particular it so important not to lose sight of what we are really doing, and not get sidetracked by the need we are davening for. Tefillah comes from the same root as Naftali, as Leah said, ‘Naftuli Elokim Niftalti,’ I have connected with Hashem! This is the essence of davening.
There’s a pasuk in Tehillim which Rav Shimshon Pincus zatzal would expound upon. ‘Ki tov chasdechah mi’chayim, sefosai yeshabechunchah.’ Your kindness is better than life, my lips will praise you. What does this mean? He would give a mashal to someone who suffered from an illness and was attended by a doctor. Over the course of treatment, they became good friends. When he finally recovered, he said, “I am grateful that you healed me, but I am even happier that I have gained a new friend!” Your kindness, meaning the relationship Hashem grants us, is a greater gift that the life that He grants us! That’s why we praise Him – that’s why we daven.