Tefilah: Waking Up Jewish

Praying with Joy

Chazal tell us, “A person should not embark on tefillah from sadness, laziness, conversation, frivolity or idle chatter; rather, he should enter prayer from the joy of a mitzvah” (Berachos 31a). Rashi explains that before Shacharis the vehicle to bring one to joy is reciting verses of encouragement like those that describe Yetzias Mitrayim; Minchah is preceded by Ashrei; and Maariv follows the eighteen verses that are commonly said in chutz l’aretz before Maariv (Rashi).

Rashi implies that the way to attain a joyful state in the morning is through the tefillah that is said directly before Shemoneh Esrei. However, Tosfos attribute the Pesukei D’zimra that we recite before Shacharis with evoking that happiness. How can we reconcile these two opinions?

In truth, these two ideas are not contradictory. During Pesukei D’zimra we mention many different types of praises of Hashem. This propels us into the right mind frame for the general tefillah.

Even after we have achieved the necessary state of mind for tefillah, we still need to approach prayer with the confidence that Hashem wants to hear the prayers of the Jewish people and desires to answer them as well. For this reason we say the verses of encouragement – tanchumim of Ezras - right before Shemoneh Esrei, which instills in us the assurance that the same way Hashem took us out of the slavery of Mitzrayim, He can eliminate any problems we might be facing and indeed bring us to complete salvation (Aruch Hashulchan 93,6).

Reflections of the Soul

The action of praying is referred to as l’hispalel, to judge oneself. Yet during tefillah we do not seem to be judging ourselves at all. On the contrary – we are completely focused outwards, asking Hashem to take care of our needs. How does judgment pertain to prayer?

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; a person is [judged] according to his praises” (Mishlei 27). The litmus test of the purity of silver and gold is how they hold up when they are refined. Pure silver and gold will come out almost equally pure after they have been passed through a furnace.

This very same concept holds true in regards to “what one praises.” The Chida writes (Devash L’pi 25,400) that the three tefillos one recites each day are really a reflection of his soul. If a person fills his day with mitzvos and conducts his affairs with integrity, then his tefillos will be filled with the appropriate intention.

David Hamelech's guide is, “I keep Hashem in front of me at all times” (Tehillim 16,8). The level of one's awareness of his Creator throughout the day will determine the degree of his intention when praying. Thus, while praying we erect a reflection of our souls, and in truth we are judging ourselves in the process.

Concentration on prayer, connects us to Hashem.

Text Copyright © 2012 by Rabbi Daniel Travis and Torah.org