In this weeks Parsha, we come upon the Tefillah of Yaakov
Avinu as he reaches HaMakom--the place of the Bais HaMikdash. Chazal teach
that this Tefillah was actually Maariv, the evening prayer. With this
Tefillah of Yaakov Avinu, we conclude the daily Tefillos that our Avos
instituted--since, as we have seen in Parshas Vayera, Avraham
Avinu established the morning Tefillah, and Yitzchak Avinu the afternoon
Tefillah. Because Tefillah was such an integral part of the Avos lives, we,
as their direct descendants and/or students must make it an integral,
essential part of our lives, as well. We provide below several important
points relating to the quality of our daily prayers which are culled directly
from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Chapter 12):
a. Giving Tzedakah before
Tefillah is desirable, as the Pasuk states Ani BTzedek Echezeh...--I will
see your face with righteousness (Tehillim 17:15).
b. Before each
Tefillah one should resolve to fulfill the mitzvah of VAhavta LReyacha
Komocha--Loving your neighbor as yourself (VaYikrah 19:18). As we all know,
this was the custom of the AriZal. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch adds a
beautiful and penetrating explanatory note:
If heaven forbid, there is a
division of hearts among Jews on the physical plane, then there is also no
unity in the spiritual realms. In contrast, unity on the physical level
causes a oneness in the clinging of the souls in the spiritual realm. As a
result, their prayers are also unified, and the communal quality of these
prayers makes them more beloved to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
c. It is a
mitzvah to run to Shul, to the House of Study to learn, or to fulfill other
Mitzvos, as the Pesukim state, Let us run to know Hashem (Hoshea 6:3) and
I will run on the path of Your Mitzvos (Tehillim 119:32). Accordingly, even
on Shabbos, it is permitted to run for the sake of a Mitzvah. However,
within a Shul or House of Study, it is forbidden to run.
d. When one
approaches the entrance to the Sanctuary **he should hesitate momentarily so
he does not enter suddenly**he should then recite the Pasuk: VAni Berov
Chasdecha Avo Vaysecho--and I, through Your great kindness, enter Your
house... Afterwards, one should enter [as if having just received
permission] and proceed with awe and fear, as if he is walking in the
presence of a King.
Hakhel Note: Whether or not one actually goes to Shul
to daven, he should reflect upon these same words VAni Berov Chasdicha,
i.e., the kindness of Hashem in allowing us to stand before Him in prayer,
and the resulting great opportunity of prayer itself!
e. One should
take great care to hear Kaddish and reply to it with proper
concentration...whenever someone answers Amen, Yihei Shemai Rabba with all
of his strength and concentration, 70 years worth of severe Heavenly decrees
are nullified. It should be recited in a loud voice, for this voice will be
Shover Kol HaMikatrigim UMivatel Kol Gezairos Kashos--break down all
accusing forces and negate all harsh decrees. Nevertheless, it should not be
recited in a very loud voice, causing people to laugh and thus causing them
to sin.
Hakhel Note: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is an extremely concise
Halacha Sefer covering all four areas of Shulchan Aruch in one volume. When
it cites the Chazal of Yehei Shemai Rabba nullifying 70 years worth of
severe Heavenly decrees and breaking down all accusing forces and negating
all harsh decrees it is providing us with an absolute Halachic conclusion.
One should contemplate the incredible power of these words.
One
further Hakhel Note: HaRav Dessler, Ztl, (Michtav MEliyahu 4:271) teaches
that through our Tefillos we can actually raise the spiritual level of
others. As an example, he points to Rebbe Meir who prayed that his neighbors
who were biryonim (ruffians) be granted the Heavenly help to do Teshuva,
for this is how far the power of prayer can reach. There is even a special
Tefillah quoted in the Sefer Tehillah LDovid which one can insert at the end
of Hashiveynu Avinu LSorosecha at the end of every Shemone Esrei for those
who you would like to see do Teshuva.
May our Tefillos in these turbulent
times touch the Tefillos of our Avos referred to over the last several weeks,
and may we too, very soon, pray in that very place that Yaakov Avinu
did--some 3500 years ago!
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Important Numbers
