Description: World of Tefillah 05
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 98-99
We have finished the chapter titled Emunah B’Hashgachah, the belief in Hashem’s providence, and are about to begin the next chapter titled, Yirah, fear of Hashem. Iy”H we will begin that next week. For today I wanted to share with you another thought about Tefillah from Rav Shimshon Pincus zatzal, which ties both Tefillah and Yirah together.
The Arizal says that before a person enters a shul, they shouldn’t rush in. Rather, they should wait a moment by the door, to demonstrate that entering a shul is a conscious decision which takes courage – because we are entering the domain of Hashem – the Melech Malchei Hamelachim. Much the same way any person would stop a minute before knocking on the door of an important meeting, whether a date, or a job interview, a meeting with his boss etc. You would stop and fix your tie, hair or whatever else you can fiddle with, and gather your courage to knock on the door. Likewise, we should demonstrate the same trepidation before entering a Beis Hamedrash. This approach contributes tremendously to the ‘shelaimus ha’adam,’ a person’s growth in Avodas Hashem. This is how we can achieve the mitzvah of ‘Mikdashay Tirahu,’ to fear a holy place of Hashem. This also is what is meant by the pasuk, ‘B’vais Elokim nihalech b’ragesh,’ when we enter the house of Hashem, we should enter with trembling!
Another thing which is mentioned in seforim is that before actually entering a shul to daven, one should say the pasuk, ‘V’ani b’rov chasdechah avo baisechah.’ I enter your house because of Your great kindness. Meaning, it’s such a zchus to be able to come and daven! This is a pasuk in Mah Tovu, which we generally say at home or once we are already in Shul – or in the car driving to shul, but it was meant to be said at that specific juncture – just as we are walking in – to help us appreciate what a gift we have to be able to daven!
What is the Arizal trying to tell us? Certainly things that are above our level of understanding. But think about the simple idea of stopping a moment before davening and thinking – what am I about to do? Both the awesomeness of entering Hashem’s dwelling place, and the great zchus we have to be able to do it! They both are contained in that pasuk, ‘V’ani b’rov chasdechah avo baisechah eshtachaveh b’heichal kodshechah b’yirasechah!’
If we want to achieve any kind of level in Tefillah, think of what a difference this little bit of prep can do for us. Of course – this is difficult – why? Because we are generally rushing to get to shul, getting there just on time or a little late – and who has time to stop even for a second and think!
If you think about this a little more – generally when we would like to see a very important person we need an appointment or an invitation. Who invited us to come to shul? Are we worthy of being there? Do we have the right to demand an appointment? Why are we allowed in? Security should turn us away at the door. The only reason we can enter is because of ‘B’rov chasdechah,’ Hashem’s overwhelming kindness allows everybody in – no matter what state they are in ruchniyus.
Of course, thoughts like these bring us to another state of mind which is so essential to tefillah – and that is Simcha. If we appreciate what a zchus it is to be able to come into Hashem’s home, be in His presence, and actually speak to Him directly, this would fill us with joy. It’s truly an amazing experience – and if we appreciate it and feel it – our tefillos will never be the same.
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 98-99
We have finished the chapter titled Emunah B’Hashgachah, the belief in Hashem’s providence, and are about to begin the next chapter titled, Yirah, fear of Hashem. Iy”H we will begin that next week. For today I wanted to share with you another thought about Tefillah from Rav Shimshon Pincus zatzal, which ties both Tefillah and Yirah together.
The Arizal says that before a person enters a shul, they shouldn’t rush in. Rather, they should wait a moment by the door, to demonstrate that entering a shul is a conscious decision which takes courage – because we are entering the domain of Hashem – the Melech Malchei Hamelachim. Much the same way any person would stop a minute before knocking on the door of an important meeting, whether a date, or a job interview, a meeting with his boss etc. You would stop and fix your tie, hair or whatever else you can fiddle with, and gather your courage to knock on the door. Likewise, we should demonstrate the same trepidation before entering a Beis Hamedrash. This approach contributes tremendously to the ‘shelaimus ha’adam,’ a person’s growth in Avodas Hashem. This is how we can achieve the mitzvah of ‘Mikdashay Tirahu,’ to fear a holy place of Hashem. This also is what is meant by the pasuk, ‘B’vais Elokim nihalech b’ragesh,’ when we enter the house of Hashem, we should enter with trembling!
Another thing which is mentioned in seforim is that before actually entering a shul to daven, one should say the pasuk, ‘V’ani b’rov chasdechah avo baisechah.’ I enter your house because of Your great kindness. Meaning, it’s such a zchus to be able to come and daven! This is a pasuk in Mah Tovu, which we generally say at home or once we are already in Shul – or in the car driving to shul, but it was meant to be said at that specific juncture – just as we are walking in – to help us appreciate what a gift we have to be able to daven!
What is the Arizal trying to tell us? Certainly things that are above our level of understanding. But think about the simple idea of stopping a moment before davening and thinking – what am I about to do? Both the awesomeness of entering Hashem’s dwelling place, and the great zchus we have to be able to do it! They both are contained in that pasuk, ‘V’ani b’rov chasdechah avo baisechah eshtachaveh b’heichal kodshechah b’yirasechah!’
If we want to achieve any kind of level in Tefillah, think of what a difference this little bit of prep can do for us. Of course – this is difficult – why? Because we are generally rushing to get to shul, getting there just on time or a little late – and who has time to stop even for a second and think!
If you think about this a little more – generally when we would like to see a very important person we need an appointment or an invitation. Who invited us to come to shul? Are we worthy of being there? Do we have the right to demand an appointment? Why are we allowed in? Security should turn us away at the door. The only reason we can enter is because of ‘B’rov chasdechah,’ Hashem’s overwhelming kindness allows everybody in – no matter what state they are in ruchniyus.
Of course, thoughts like these bring us to another state of mind which is so essential to tefillah – and that is Simcha. If we appreciate what a zchus it is to be able to come into Hashem’s home, be in His presence, and actually speak to Him directly, this would fill us with joy. It’s truly an amazing experience – and if we appreciate it and feel it – our tefillos will never be the same.