Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Shasho
In this week’s parashah, Yaakov has three choices before him as Esav approaches: to appease Esav through gifts, to prepare for war with him, and to pray. Yaakov chose to utilize all three options, but the order in which he chose to implement them is significant– especially when he chose to use prayer. Rashi says that clearly Yaakov chose to prepare for battle first by dividing his people; only then did he pray, and then he sent gifts.It seems surprising that Yaakov, someone who fully understood the power of prayer, would not immediately turn to Hashem for help.
In this we find an important insight into what prayer is all about. Hashem responds to us based on our choices. Prayers are meaningful and effective when preceded by serious action and intent. Hashem creates a situation where we are faced with a choice, because through that conflict we have the ability to grow and realize our true potential. Yet Hashem does not need our prayers. He doesn’t need anything. He has no needs; He can only give. No, Hashem doesn’t need our prayers, but we do. Through prayer we recognize our Creator and come close to Him. Being close to Hashem is the ultimate pleasure.
When we pray, we focus on the fact that Hashem is our Father, giver of all. We ask for whatever we aspire to in life and whatever we need. Nothing is too big, and nothing is too small. We are not bothering Hashem, and we are not using up His attention. Rabbi Avigdor Miller explains two ways we can help better concentrate and understand our prayer. First one must understand what he is saying and that means not just the translation, rather the deeper understanding behind the words. Learning the Shemoneh Esre is like learning a Gemarah. The second way is to train oneself to concentrate. Choose one part and read it carefully and slowly. Train yourself to concentrate a little more everyday. Through that we will be on our way to making our Tefilah a real part of our life and coming closer to Hashem our father.
Shabbat Shalom