Friday, August 8, 2014

Parshat Va'Etchanan "The Power of Prayer"

                                   


      In this weeks parsha Moshe Rabbeynu emphasizes that the covenant Hashem made with our forefathers, Hashem made the covenant with us for every generation and for eternity. Moshe reiterates the the 10 commandments that was handed down to us at Har Sinai. Moshe utters the famous plea of Shema Yisrael that we say twice a day "Hear O Israel: Hashem our G-d, Hashem is One" (6:4) The parsha also continues to teach us of the art of prayer, prophecy and teachings that guarantee our Jewish survival. "For you are a holy people to Hashem, your G-d; Hashem, your G-d has chosen you to be his own treasure, out of all nations that are on the face of the earth" (7:6). In the beginning verses of parsha, Moshe Rabbeynu prays to Hashem, saying even if we are undeserving, we beseech G-d to find favor with us, accept our prayers, and grant our request as a free gift. We as an individual believe that G-d "owes us". Those who think like that are foolish because Moshe Rabbeynu who was on a high level didn't even think like that. The generation we live in is short on patience but long on expectations. If we feel that are prayers haven't gotten answered, we are quick to give up in frustration and self-righteous indignation. However, prayer is our only solution. We should never forget that when problems overwhelm us, it is only God who can help. Our sages teach us that since the destruction of the Holy Temple, all the gates to heaven are locked, except for the gates of tears, which means that genuine, heartfelt prayers can bring many miracles, We should never give up. Each us of should find one holy person from the Torah such-as; Moshe, King David etc. and learn about their greatness and faith of God in order that we can try our best to attain that belief and love of God.