Banging on HaShem’s Door
Image by d3images on Freepik
During these days we find ourselves being more concerned with our connection to Tefilah. Reflection on life bears out mortality and vulnerability with each passing year. When money can’t buy eternity then we turn to prayer and our relationship with the Almighty. Hence, shul attendance, more attention to proper tefilah and greater concentration become priorities at least during the days of judgement and atonement.
In this light, it’s worthwhile to understand the perspective that the Avot, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov had when they instituted the concept of formal prayer every morning, afternoon and night. Not only did they institute prayer but they also provided the tone and tenor of what prayer is supposed to be like.
If we look at the introductory paragraph to Selichot we find the phrase, …like an impoverished person and like a destitute person we bang on your door. The Chafetz Chaim, Z”l explained that if a person would only be poor, he has something small in his pocket, he would not be going door to door begging for food. Banging on a door and begging is very degrading and people would prefer having barely enough instead of putting themselves through that experience. However, and impoverished and destitute person has absolutely nothing. Without a handout death is imminent. Said the Chafetz Chaim, that is the type of person we should be emulating during these days, begging HaShem for our lives.
Where do we see that the Avot had the same mindset for the tefilot that they established? In the Torah narrative of the Nation of Israel becoming trapped between the raging sea in front of them and the mighty Egyptian army in hot pursuit behind them, the people cried out to HaShem to be saved from complete annihilation. Rashi commented on this crying out from despair that the people grabbed on to the crafts of their fathers. Rashi completes his comment by quoting the passages in the Torah that bear out that each patriarch established one of the three daily prayers.
HaRav Yeruchom Levovitz, the Mir Mashgiach in pre-war Europe, asked a great question on Rashi’s comment. How was it possible that Rashi would consider the type of prayer emanating from the mouths of the Bene Yisrael at the sea be the same tefilah that the Avot are given credit for establishing? A close analysis of the pesukim describing the establishment of the three prayers will reveal that the lives of the Avot were not in imminent danger. It appears that the prayers of the Avot and those of the Bene Israel at the sea are distinctively different.
HaRav Yerucham answered, Rashi is providing us with a keen insight into what daily tefilah is supposed to be. Each one of our prayers during the week, Shabbat and Yomtov, should be recited as if we are standing between the raging sea and the mighty Egyptian army, pray as if our lives depend on it. Because in truth, our lives do depend on our prayers. None of us know what tomorrow will bring.
A good place to begin this practice is during these days. G-d willing, through a great effort we will ensure another year of life.
How should we prepare children for this approach to tefilah? Two effective strategies come to mind. The second most effective strategy is raising your children’s appreciation for Tefilah and how vitally important it is in the life of a Jew through Torah study. There is a direct correlation between success in Torah study and tefilah. Each one helps the other. However, the most effective strategy for growth in tefilah or any worthwhile endeavor is the parent role model. Dear parents, consider your actions
Shabbat Shalom, Gemar Chatima Tova