Duty of Prayer

Let's dig into the deeper meaning of the *duty of prayer* according to Rav Saadya Gaon. So, we’re dealing with two key verses that both say, "You shall fear the Lord your God, and Him you shall serve." The first one appears in Parashat Va’etchanan (Devarim 6:13) and the second in Parashat Ekev (Devarim 10:20). While they look identical on the surface, the follow-up to the verse in *Parashat Ekev* adds a crucial twist: “He is your glory, and He is your God” (Devarim 10:21). Rav Saadya latches onto this extra phrase, "He is your glory," and uses it to clarify what prayer really involves.

In his introduction to his *siddur* (prayer book), Rav Saadya explains that the word *glory* (*tehila*) refers to three major components of prayer:

1. **Gratitude for the past**: Thanking HaShem for everything He’s done for us.

2. **Supplication for the future**: Asking HaShem for what we need moving forward.

3. **Recognition of God’s ability**: Acknowledging that HaShem is capable of providing everything we need, past, present, and future.

Now, Rav Saadya goes even deeper, explaining that expressing gratitude is not just a nice thing to do—it’s a logical duty. Gratitude is part of what makes prayer essential in our lives. But more than that, he points out that prayer, as described in the Torah, isn't just about thanking HaShem for what we’ve already received; it’s also about *petition*—asking for help, guidance, or support in our day-to-day lives.

This is why, when you look at the *Amida* prayer, it’s filled with requests. Rav Saadya explains that the reason for this is pretty straightforward: people have needs, lots of them. Whether it’s health, wisdom, peace, or forgiveness, we need things from HaShem, and prayer is our way of communicating those needs. But just because *petition* is such a big part of prayer doesn’t mean it’s the most important. It’s just one of the three core elements—praise, gratitude, and supplication—that all combine to form the essence of what prayer is about.

Rav Saadya then brings up a fascinating point about the word *tefila* itself. He refers to a verse from the book of Daniel, which describes prayer as “ba'eh ba'uteh,” meaning “makes his petition” (Daniel 6:14). The word *ba'ut*, as used here, is directly linked to the idea of asking for something. So, even in the ancient Aramaic translations, prayer was understood primarily as *supplication*. This tells us that, from way back, our ancestors viewed prayer as a way to lay our needs before HaShem.

To Rav Saadya, glorifying HaShem through prayer isn’t just about singing His praises or thanking Him for the good times. It also involves humbly asking for what we need. In fact, he suggests that the whole structure of prayer—praise, thanksgiving, and requests—is wrapped up in the duty of glorifying HaShem. When we pray, we’re engaging in a full-circle act of recognition: praising HaShem for who He is, thanking Him for what He’s done, and asking for what we hope He’ll do in the future.

So, back to the big question: which verse actually commands us to pray? Is it the verse that says "And Him you shall serve," or is it the one that says "He is your glory"? Rav Saadya doesn’t give a definitive answer to that. But what he does give us is a beautifully expanded view of what prayer really means: it’s an act of glorying in HaShem, involving all the key elements of our relationship with Him—praise, gratitude, and requests. It’s a holistic practice that draws us closer to HaShem, encompassing all aspects of our spiritual and physical needs.

In short, for Rav Saadya, prayer is the ultimate form of worship, a multi-dimensional way to connect with HaShem through gratitude, supplication, and a recognition of His greatness.

From the Mundane to the Divine: Rabbi Nachman on the Power of Everyday Prayer

Rabbi Nachman encourages us to pray for everything, no matter how big or small, even for things that might seem trivial or unimportant. He once told a disciple that it’s essential to get into the habit of turning to HaShem for all your needs, whether it’s a major life challenge or something as simple as needing a new piece of clothing. Rabbi Nachman’s point is that prayer shouldn’t just be reserved for big, spiritual matters like seeking closeness to HaShem. It’s a daily practice meant to encompass everything that matters to you in life, from the profound to the mundane.

Rabbi Nachman explains that the main focus of your prayers should be on essentials—seeking HaShem’s help in growing spiritually, drawing closer to Him, and living a life of devotion. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the little things. You should still pray for all your physical and material needs, too. When you bring these requests into your prayers, you're not just asking for stuff; you’re involving HaShem in every aspect of your life, turning even the smallest needs into moments of connection with the Divine.

Now, Rabbi Nachman gives a pretty stark comparison. He says that if a person doesn’t pray for their needs, HaShem might still provide for them, just as He provides for all living creatures. However, if you receive everything without asking for it through prayer, it’s almost like you’re living on autopilot, like an animal that gets fed but doesn’t have any relationship with its provider. The difference is that when a person prays for their needs, it turns receiving those things into a conversation with HaShem, making the material blessings part of your spiritual life. You’re not just surviving like a beast in the field—you’re thriving in a relationship with the One who sustains you.

Rabbi Nachman himself told a story about this idea. He once had a minor need—something insignificant, really. When he mentioned it, the Rebbe told him to pray to HaShem for it. Rabbi Nachman was surprised that he was being told to pray for something so small and unimportant. Seeing his surprise, the Rebbe gently asked, “Is it beneath you to pray for even the smallest things?” This question highlights a crucial lesson: no need or concern is too small to bring before HaShem. Every prayer, no matter how seemingly trivial the request, is a way of staying connected.

This approach raises an important question: if our central spiritual goal is to draw close to HaShem, why even bother praying about mundane problems? Why involve HaShem in these small, day-to-day affairs when there are bigger spiritual matters at hand?

The answer lies in understanding the true purpose of prayer. It’s not that these small problems are necessarily important in and of themselves. Rather, prayer is important because it’s the means through which we stay connected to HaShem. When you pray for something, whether it's spiritual growth or something as mundane as a new coat, it creates a dialogue between you and HaShem. The act of asking transforms the way you receive your blessings. It’s no longer just about getting what you need, but about turning every part of your life into an opportunity to connect with HaShem.

Receiving something after praying for it is different from receiving it without prayer. When a person prays and then receives what they need, that blessing becomes part of their spiritual journey. It’s no longer just about having your material needs met; it’s about deepening your relationship with HaShem. Every answered prayer, no matter how small, is a moment of intimacy with HaShem. The prayer itself becomes the goal—because through prayer, you’re already drawing closer to HaShem, which is the ultimate purpose. Even when you pray for more spiritual things, like closeness to HaShem, the act of praying brings you closer to that goal, simply because you’re engaging with Him.

In the end, Rabbi Nachman teaches that prayer is not just a tool to get what you need. It’s the very way we build our relationship with HaShem. Whether you’re praying for big spiritual insights or just asking for help with something small, the real value is in the act of turning to HaShem in every aspect of your life. Through prayer, life becomes a dialogue with the Divine.

Prayer from what we learned :

HaShem, my Source and Sustainer, I come before You with all my needs, great and small, knowing that nothing is beyond Your care. Help me to remember that You desire me to turn to You for everything in my life—whether it's my longing to draw closer to You or the simplest need for food, clothing, or shelter. Teach me to see prayer as a way to speak with You, to involve You in all that I experience and desire, and to rely on You for everything.

Grant me the humility to ask for even the smallest things, for I know that everything I have comes from Your hand. Whether I need a solution to my struggles, or something as minor as replacing something worn out, let me never feel that any request is too trivial to bring before You. May I learn to make all of my life a conversation with You, seeing even the smallest blessings as part of my connection to You.

HaShem, please help me to approach You with sincerity in all my prayers, no matter how simple or mundane my needs may seem. May I understand that prayer itself is the goal, and through it, I come closer to You. Strengthen my devotion, draw me nearer to You, and let me never be content with receiving without asking. Let every request, every need, be an opportunity to deepen my relationship with You.

In every moment of abundance, remind me that You are the source of all that I have. Let my prayers, no matter how small, be a reminder of Your constant presence in my life and Your desire for me to turn to You for all things. May I grow in closeness to You with each word I speak, and may my heart be filled with gratitude for all that You provide.

Amen.

In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.

Tamar: The Original Biblical Queen of Sass and Strategy

Alright, let’s talk about Tamar—no, not the “my friend’s friend from college” Tamar, but the original, ancient, biblical Tamar. You might not have heard much about her, but trust me, her story is like the OG drama series, complete with betrayal, clever plots, and a mic drop moment that’ll have you rooting for her. Tamar wasn’t just some side character in the grand narrative of the Torah; she was a total boss who knew how to take control when life dealt her a bad hand.

First off, Tamar was all about justice. She wasn’t going to let herself get played by some lazy dudes who didn’t want to fulfill their family duties. Judah promised her his son Shelah in marriage after her first two husbands (both Judah’s sons, mind you) died. But when Shelah grew up, Judah was like, “Yeah, about that…let’s just forget I ever said anything.” Tamar wasn’t having it. She knew that justice wasn’t just something that happened; sometimes, you had to make it happen.

And speaking of making things happen, Tamar was fiercely protective of her family’s legacy. She understood the importance of lineage—she wasn’t just going to let her family tree wither because of Judah’s reluctance to follow through. This wasn’t some passive interest, like that genealogy hobby where you’re just happy to find out your great-great-uncle was a potato farmer in Ireland. No, for Tamar, continuing the family line was everything.

So, what did she do? She devised one of the most clever strategies in the Bible. Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and waited for Judah to come by (because hey, she knew his habits). When Judah unknowingly slept with her, she took his signet, cord, and staff as collateral—ancient world equivalent of screenshots, my friends. She wasn’t just being sneaky for fun; she was keeping receipts. Later, when Judah found out Tamar was pregnant and was ready to have her punished, she was like, “Oh really? You might want to check whose stuff I have here.” Judah’s jaw dropped faster than a plot twist on Netflix, and he admitted that she was more righteous than he was.

Now, let’s get into what really grinds Tamar’s gears. For starters, empty promises. Judah promised her Shelah, and then he backpedaled faster than a politician caught in a scandal. Tamar wasn’t about to let that slide. She wasn’t just some passive character in a narrative; she knew what she deserved, and she wasn’t afraid to take it.

Then there’s injustice. Tamar was supposed to be taken care of as a widow, but Judah’s sons didn’t exactly step up to the plate. First, Er was “wicked in the sight of the Lord” (Genesis 38:7), so God took care of him. Then Onan, well, he was kind of a jerk too. He didn’t want to raise up offspring for his brother, so he basically took advantage of Tamar without fulfilling his duty, and that didn’t end well for him either. Tamar was left in a pretty bad spot, but instead of sitting there feeling sorry for herself, she went out and made sure justice was served.

Double standards also didn’t sit well with Tamar. When Judah found out she was pregnant, he was ready to burn her at the stake (literally). But as soon as she revealed that he was the baby daddy, Judah had to eat his words. Talk about awkward family dinners after that revelation! Tamar wasn’t just going to let Judah get away with his hypocrisy. She held him accountable in a way that was both clever and courageous.

The Talmud and Midrash have a lot to say about Tamar, and they don’t shy away from highlighting her boldness. For instance, in Sotah 10b, the sages discuss how Tamar acted for the sake of Heaven, knowing that the Messiah would come from her line. That’s right—Tamar’s actions weren’t just about personal vindication; they had cosmic significance. The Midrash even points out that her actions were divinely guided, showing that sometimes doing the right thing requires a bit of audacity.

In another discussion in Bereshit Rabbah (85:11), the rabbis explain that Tamar’s actions were so righteous that Judah acknowledged her superiority by saying, “She is more righteous than I” (Genesis 38:26). This wasn’t just about who was right or wrong in the situation; it was about recognizing Tamar’s unwavering commitment to justice and family legacy.

Tamar’s story might seem like just another biblical narrative, but it’s so much more. She’s a reminder that sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands when the world isn’t playing fair. Tamar wasn’t just about survival; she was about thriving and ensuring that the right thing was done, even when it required unconventional methods.

Tamar’s legacy lives on in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, in the Messiah, showing that her bold actions had far-reaching consequences. She’s a testament to the idea that when the chips are down, sometimes you have to bluff your way to victory—and that’s not a bad thing.

So, next time you hear someone talk about Tamar, don’t just think of her as a biblical footnote. She was a trailblazer, a strategist, and a woman who understood the importance of justice, legacy, and—let’s be honest—keeping those all-important receipts.

In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into these spiritual truths, consider studying Kabbalah, the mystical tradition that unlocks the profound secrets of our reality and draws us closer to HaShem’s divine wisdom. Delve into teachings that illuminate the “why” behind the Torah, connecting the layers of Creation in a synergized whole and offering a glimpse of HaShem in a way no other study can. From the timeless wisdom of Rabbi Chaim Vital and the Arizal to the unifying insights of Rabbi Sar-Shalom Sharabi (Rashash), Kabbalah not only transforms your spiritual understanding but also brings peace, protection, and redemption closer to our world. Sponsor my study in this sacred tradition and receive its blessings for sustenance, health, and family, ensuring that the powerful light of Kabbalah shines in your merit.