In the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, there’s a palpable shift in the air. It’s a time when we begin to feel the weight of the year that’s passed and the one that’s about to unfold. The idea that three books are opened during this time is something we’ve probably heard before. But what does it actually mean? What’s being recorded in these "books," and what are we supposed to do with that imagery? The Baal Shem Tov, in his wisdom, takes this ancient teaching and breathes life into it, offering us an invitation to see our words, our prayers, and even our intentions in a whole new light.
When the Talmud talks about these three books—one for the righteous, one for the wicked, and one for the intermediaries—the Baal Shem Tov isn’t imagining a library of thick, leather-bound volumes in the sky. Instead, he tells us these books are really about our words. Our words are what’s being written down, what’s being weighed, what’s being held up to the light.
For the completely righteous, every single word that leaves their mouth, whether during prayer or Torah study, is filled with holiness. These aren’t just ordinary words. They aren’t tossed out carelessly or said without thought. These words have a purpose: they are meant to unite two worlds—the World of Speech and the World of Thought. Now, I know what you’re thinking: What’s the World of Speech? What’s the World of Thought?
Let’s break it down. Think of the World of Speech as everything that comes out of your mouth—the things you say out loud. But we all know that just because someone says something doesn’t mean they truly mean it or understand the weight of their words. That’s where the World of Thought comes in. This is the realm of your intentions, your deepest beliefs, your soul’s inner landscape. According to the Baal Shem Tov, the goal is to align these two worlds, to make sure that when you speak, your words reflect what’s going on in the deepest parts of you. When you do that, something powerful happens. You create a bridge between the physical and the spiritual, between the world we live in and the higher realms.
Here’s where it gets really beautiful. The Baal Shem Tov explains that even when we pour our hearts out in prayer and feel like our requests are going unheard, something profound is still happening. You might be praying for something you need—maybe something really important like healing for a loved one or guidance for a tough decision—and the answer doesn’t seem to come. But even in those moments, when you’re praying with intention, with your heart fully engaged, you’re still causing a shift in the spiritual worlds. This concept is called et’aruta d’l’tata, an "arousal from below," where your actions down here stir something up above. It’s a ripple effect, like dropping a pebble in a pond—the impact spreads even if you don’t see it right away.
Now, who are these completely righteous people, these *tzaddikim* that the Baal Shem Tov is talking about? They’re the ones who have mastered the art of speaking and praying with intention. They live in a state where everything they say is in perfect harmony with their thoughts and their purpose. Their prayers aren’t just requests for personal needs. Instead, their words are like finely tuned instruments, resonating with the Divine and causing waves of connection between the higher and lower worlds.
The Baal Shem Tov connects this idea to something our sages have taught us: "One should only stand to pray with a heavy head." That phrase might sound a bit ominous, but what it really means is that when we pray, we need to be aware of something crucial: what we experience as a lack in our lives is not just a personal issue. It’s a reflection of something missing in the spiritual worlds as well. This isn’t just about you. It’s about a cosmic balance, a delicate harmony between what’s happening in your life and what’s happening in the higher realms.
That awareness adds a layer of depth to our prayers. Imagine realizing that every time you pray for healing, peace, or joy, you’re not just asking for yourself. You’re tuning into a much larger, more intricate system, where your personal lack is mirrored by a spiritual need for healing, peace, or joy in the universe itself. And with that awareness, your words take on an even greater weight, an even deeper resonance.
But here’s the kicker: no matter how focused or connected you feel during prayer, you have to stay humble. The Baal Shem Tov warns us that if you start getting too proud of yourself for praying with deep intention—if you start thinking, “Wow, I’m really nailing this prayer thing”—you’ll lose the very connection you’re working so hard to create. Prayer is not a performance. It’s an intimate conversation with HaShem, and it requires humility and openness, not self-satisfaction.
Now, what about the rest of us? Most of us fall into the category of intermediaries. We’re the ones who, when we pray, ask for things we need—health, livelihood, maybe even peace in our relationships. These are important requests, but they’re also rooted in our day-to-day concerns. The Baal Shem Tov reassures us that our prayers aren’t being ignored just because we’re asking for mundane things. In fact, our prayers are being “left hanging” until Yom Kippur. What does that mean? Yom Kippur is a day of ultimate clarity, a day when everything is laid bare, and intentions are crystal clear. The Baal Shem Tov explains that the fate of the intermediaries—those of us asking for our material needs—is left undecided until then, waiting for our true intentions to become apparent.
Here’s the key: if our intentions are pure, if we’re asking for these material things so that we can better serve HaShem, our prayers can ascend to the highest levels. Imagine you’re asking for financial stability, not because you want to live in luxury but because you need to support your family so you can have more time and energy to focus on Torah and mitzvot. When you’re coming from that place, your request is transformed. It’s no longer just about getting what you want. It’s about aligning your needs with HaShem’s greater purpose for you. And in doing so, you, too, create that bridge between the World of Speech and the World of Thought.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Whether you’re a tzaddik or an intermediary, the most important thing is your kavana, your intention. Are you speaking from a place of deep connection between your words and your thoughts? Are you aware that what you’re asking for has both personal and cosmic significance? Are you humble enough to keep that connection open, without letting pride get in the way? And when you ask for the things you need in your life, are you doing it from a place of genuine desire to serve HaShem?
As we enter Rosh Hashanah and begin to reflect on the year ahead, the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings remind us that our words matter. They carry weight, not just in this world but in the spiritual worlds as well. Whether we’re asking for peace, health, or strength, it’s our intention that elevates those words and turns them into something that can ripple through the universe. And when we align our words with our deepest thoughts, when we pray with humility and intention, we have the power to bridge the gap between the physical and the Divine.
This blog is in the zechut of hud Ben Ofra/FreidelChaya Bat/SimaDevorah/Chana sheesha bat freidel chaya/aaron Moshe Ben freidel chaya/moshalah shulamit bat liba Devorah/yosef Elimelech Ben moshalah shulamit may HaShem help them attain all their hearts desires speedily in excellent health and complete emuna as well as klal Israel.
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.
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