Rabbi Yair Kobernick

The word "Torah" means "instruction" because it's the instructions for life. Computers and other appliances come with big, fat instruction manuals, and without them we’re lost. Life's a lot more complicated and if we want to make the most of life, a set of instructions can sure make a difference.

When I got my first fax machine, I remember plugging it in, figuring out how to send and receive a fax, and that was it. Then someone told me, but look at the manual, there are so many other things this little machine can do! It makes copies, it can be programmed to store the time, date, telephone numbers, speed-dial buttons and you can even program it to send a fax later on in the day when you're not even home. The list goes on and on, yet without studying the manual, so many features would be missed. Our instruction book for living a good life with maximum pleasure has so much to offer, yet if we don't study it, we're bound to miss out.

What about prayer? How does prayer fit into the Torah's instructions? How does it help us achieve making the most of life?

Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian, a great sage from the last generation said, "If a person learns to pray properly, understanding what he is saying and with enthusiasm, he will derive tremendous pleasure from praying." So prayer has another benefit. The relationship we build and develop with G-d through praying can be a tremendous uplifting.

G-d doesn't ask us to pray because He needs an ego stroke. Or for that matter, to skip the bacon because it makes Him nauseous. For over three thousand years the Torah has been teaching us how to build a life of meaning and maximize pleasure. Prayer brings us closer to our Creator. Closeness to our creator is the ultimate pleasure.

Sections of the prayer-book refer to G-d as our Father in Heaven. Just like our parents want us to have everything that is good, the Almighty wants the same for us: to get as much pleasure as we possibly can! Don't just settle for the banana splits. Make sure you get the premium ­ the kind of fulfillment that lasts. That’s what Judaism is here to teach us.

In the beginning of the Torah we read about the curse of the snake: "... and dust you shall eat, all the days of your life." Our sages tell us that wherever the snake goes he will find his food. If he is up on a rooftop his food will be there. If he comes down to the ground, his food is there, for dust is something that there is an abundance of. On the other hand, Man's punishment was quite the opposite: "The ground will therefore be cursed because of you. You will derive food from it with anguish all the days of your life. It will bring forth thorns and thistles for you ... by the sweat of your brow you will eat bread."

Seems like the snake got a better deal! Well, not really. Because the snake doesn't need to pray for his food. He doesn't need to pray for anything - he's got it all whenever he wants and wherever he goes! The snake was banished, sent away. Like a father who gives his son money but says "get out, I don't want to see you again." The ability to ever become close to the Creator was denied him.

Man on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to develop a bond with G-d. Praying makes people closer to their Creator, and although it's not always easy, it sets the stage for the ultimate pleasure. G-d wants us to ask and pray for our needs perhaps because this is His way to shower on us a bounty of happiness, pleasure, satisfaction, tranquility…you name it.

Which reminds me of the guy who didn't really want to accept G-d’s closeness… After a sharp curve on a wet road that overlooked a very high cliff, his motorcycle took a spin and he went flying. The motorcycle fell into oblivion, but luckily, somehow, he managed to grab a branch that was sticking out of the mountainside. Hanging on for dear life, he called out, "Help, is anyone up there?" After a few screams, he heard a voice: "Hey Dan." Dan yelled, "Who’s up there? Help!" Then the voice said, "Dan, it’s G-d. I want to help you. Just let go of the branch!" Dan took one look downward and then called: "Is they’re anyone else up there?"

Copyright © 2000 by Yair Kobernick and Project Genesis, Inc.