UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

I have been looking at a series of articles on Prayer, which brings up very interesting points.

And this week's article does also link to our Sedra Toldos, and all the Sedras relating to our forefathers and foremothers, where we learn about all their trials and tribulations with marriage, children, finances, battles, trickeries, wars etc, and how they PRAYED and the NATURE OF THEIR PRAYERS.

The section of Prayer which was being discussed, was one of the Introductions to Prayer in the Morning davening.

First there is Hodu. and then comes Mizmor Shir. which is Psalm 30.

This Psalm describes very clearly all our trials and tribulations, and how we cried out to Hashem.

At times it seems that Hashem is angry with us and we are being made to suffer, but the Psalm assures us, and makes us confident that Hashem will hear us and answer our prayer.

'One may lie down weeping at nightfall, but at dawn there is joy..'

When we feel that we are suffering, we need to know that it is only temporary.

And moreover, that in that very suffering, there is HIDDEN GOOD.

Because Hashem desires life and goodness, and that from the grief itself will come JOY.

The ups and downs of life are part of Hashems Master Plan, to remind us that we constantly depend on G-d.

If we were always to be successful, we would become arrogant.

Having understood all this, we can clear our heads of all sad thoughts, and sing Hashem's praises with joy.

This prayer helps us attain TRUE HAPPINESS, even if things are not going as we like them to be.

Generally, Psalms are very intricate and deep.

But already 600 years ago the Rivash (R Yitzchak bar Sheshes 14th C Spain) said ' I daven with the intentions of a child.' - A child doesn't have any complex thoughts. When he davens he knows one thing - he is talking to Hashem Himself, no more and no less.

Wishing everyone a Gut Shabbos and a Gut Chodesh!