What is the meaning of the verse that says 'What great nation has a God so close each time they call to Him?' Does Hashem answer every prayer? What is the difference between prayer and repentance? What is unique about the wars of the Jewish people? How long does it take for Hashem to answer our prayers?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 25:40
Showing posts with label Tefillah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tefillah. Show all posts
Friday, July 27, 2018
Friday, March 8, 2013
Vayakhel-Pekudei - Prayers of a Lion
Why are Betzalel, from the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab, from Dan, specifically chosen for the building of the tabernacle? Why is the Tabernacle referred to as a lion? What is the concept of the lion? Why is the place of God's presence and our relationship with Him to be found in a place of Gevurah-strength? What is the prayer of the powerful righteous individual that is in the form of judgment? How does it pierce through the forces of evil? What is the understanding of the powerful and fiery relationship that is possible through prayer?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 24:01
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 24:01
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Vayikra - Prayer and sacrifice
What is the concept of the sacrifices? What is the connection between sacrifice and prayer? Why are both of these concepts called 'avodah' - service? What is the difference between service of Hashem and the service of idolatry? What is the deeper reason why the sacrifices were completely consumed by the body with no waste, like the manna?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 30:19
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 30:19
Friday, February 27, 2009
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!
This winter has been terribly dry for us in Israel, as many of you may know. The water levels here are dangerously low, and the drought is having a devastating effect on this year's crops. We have been saying special tefilos for rain every day, and there was even a special fast not too long ago. Boruch Hashem we had a rainy Shabbos last week, and the weather reports were right about today's rain. Please keep us in mind in your tefilos!
Here is a recording I made of the rain today outside of the window of my studio/sealed room. You can hear some thunder, the birds in the tree, a truck passing by... and of course the rain!
Here is a recording I made of the rain today outside of the window of my studio/sealed room. You can hear some thunder, the birds in the tree, a truck passing by... and of course the rain!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Feeling their pain
I heard a few interesting stories and thoughts over Shabbos.
The one that I got the most from was told by the Rav of my shul.
This past week, a couple in Jerusalem came to him with the following scenario. The husband had decided to get his wife something special for her birthday recently. He chose a food that he knew she liked very much. When he brought it to her, she responded with great appreciation for his thoughtfulness, but she declined to eat it. When asked why, she explained that she had accepted upon herself that as long as the Jews in the south of Israel are suffering with constant missile bombardment, she would not eat any treats or delicacies, except on Shabbos. She could not enjoy these things as long as her brethren were in pain. Being that this treat could not be saved, she would not be able to eat it.
When we think about how we can relate to the difficulty of our brothers and sisters who have been driven out of their homes, we find it hard to really connect. This woman was able to find something tangible to do that would allow her to share in the pain of those who are suffering, to make it her own. Perhaps we can do the same.
My rav also said that when we show 'solidarity' for our fellow Jews who are suffering here in Eretz Yisroel, it is completely different from any other nation showing solidarity for their suffering brethren. The way we show solidarity is by davening and saying Tehillim and strengthening our Mitzvah observance, Torah study and dedication to our relationship with Hashem. When we do this, not only do we show that we have our brothers' suffering in mind, but we actually give them spiritual strength - the strength they need to overcome the obstacles they face.
When you daven for a soldier in Israel, you are literally helping that soldier defeat his enemy, and come out unharmed.
My rav also explained that when Yakov spoke of his gift of Shechem to Yosef, he referred to it as the place he acquired with his "sword and bow." Onkelos explains that the "sword" is the prayer, and the "bow" is the request. My rav explained that the sword is something that once one's enemy is close, one does not require a tremendous amount of skill to attack and destroy him. The bow requires precision, but one who aims properly can take out his enemy from a great distance.
The same thing is true of our tefillos. The tefilla that we say every day is like a sword that does not require the same tremendous effort to have an effect. That effect, however, may not be as far reaching. When we invest extra effort and kavana in a special tefilla for our brethren who are suffering, this is like the bow and arrow that when properly aimed can have a long range effect.
Let us all try to take this to heart and invest our efforts in feeling for our brothers and sisters who are in pain. A little extra tefilla with kavana and a little extra sensitivity can go a long way to helping us here in Eretz Yisroel, no matter where you may be.
The one that I got the most from was told by the Rav of my shul.
This past week, a couple in Jerusalem came to him with the following scenario. The husband had decided to get his wife something special for her birthday recently. He chose a food that he knew she liked very much. When he brought it to her, she responded with great appreciation for his thoughtfulness, but she declined to eat it. When asked why, she explained that she had accepted upon herself that as long as the Jews in the south of Israel are suffering with constant missile bombardment, she would not eat any treats or delicacies, except on Shabbos. She could not enjoy these things as long as her brethren were in pain. Being that this treat could not be saved, she would not be able to eat it.
When we think about how we can relate to the difficulty of our brothers and sisters who have been driven out of their homes, we find it hard to really connect. This woman was able to find something tangible to do that would allow her to share in the pain of those who are suffering, to make it her own. Perhaps we can do the same.
My rav also said that when we show 'solidarity' for our fellow Jews who are suffering here in Eretz Yisroel, it is completely different from any other nation showing solidarity for their suffering brethren. The way we show solidarity is by davening and saying Tehillim and strengthening our Mitzvah observance, Torah study and dedication to our relationship with Hashem. When we do this, not only do we show that we have our brothers' suffering in mind, but we actually give them spiritual strength - the strength they need to overcome the obstacles they face.
When you daven for a soldier in Israel, you are literally helping that soldier defeat his enemy, and come out unharmed.
My rav also explained that when Yakov spoke of his gift of Shechem to Yosef, he referred to it as the place he acquired with his "sword and bow." Onkelos explains that the "sword" is the prayer, and the "bow" is the request. My rav explained that the sword is something that once one's enemy is close, one does not require a tremendous amount of skill to attack and destroy him. The bow requires precision, but one who aims properly can take out his enemy from a great distance.
The same thing is true of our tefillos. The tefilla that we say every day is like a sword that does not require the same tremendous effort to have an effect. That effect, however, may not be as far reaching. When we invest extra effort and kavana in a special tefilla for our brethren who are suffering, this is like the bow and arrow that when properly aimed can have a long range effect.
Let us all try to take this to heart and invest our efforts in feeling for our brothers and sisters who are in pain. A little extra tefilla with kavana and a little extra sensitivity can go a long way to helping us here in Eretz Yisroel, no matter where you may be.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Miracles in Ashdod
My wife attends a weekly shiur in chinuch from a certain Rebbetzin Fried (name changed). Rebbetzin Fried has a son who lives in Ashdod. Her son went to ask Rav Kanievsky if it was wise to remain in Ashdod, and Rav Kanievsky said that it is NOT a danger to remain there.
She then told the following story.
A few days ago, the warning siren malfunctioned and did not give people a chance to get to their bomb shelters. The missile fell and no one was hurt. It later became apparent that the place the missile had fallen was on a major bomb shelter where many people who work together normally gather. If the siren had worked properly, there would have been great casualties!
Clearly Hashem is protecting us. Keep up your tefilos wherever you are. This is our greatest protection.
She then told the following story.
A few days ago, the warning siren malfunctioned and did not give people a chance to get to their bomb shelters. The missile fell and no one was hurt. It later became apparent that the place the missile had fallen was on a major bomb shelter where many people who work together normally gather. If the siren had worked properly, there would have been great casualties!
Clearly Hashem is protecting us. Keep up your tefilos wherever you are. This is our greatest protection.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Aviva Malka bas Leah
I told the story in a previous post about the young girl who came out of the coma saying, "Did I miss the weddings, and did I miss Moshiach coming?"
I spoke to her father on Friday. They just returned from a trip to Boston for two weeks with their daughter that was necessary for her health. The family is in good spirits, despite the fact that things are difficult. Aviva has lost vision in one eye R'l. Her father said that she remains amazingly resilient.
Please keep up your tefilos for Aviva Malka bas Leah.
I spoke to her father on Friday. They just returned from a trip to Boston for two weeks with their daughter that was necessary for her health. The family is in good spirits, despite the fact that things are difficult. Aviva has lost vision in one eye R'l. Her father said that she remains amazingly resilient.
Please keep up your tefilos for Aviva Malka bas Leah.
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