Parashat Toldot

בס”ד

Why do We Pray?

by Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon

Founder and Boardchairman

Our Rabbanim have given us many reasons, but one of the reasons I would like to discuss is mentioned by the Ramban (at the end of Parashat Bo), the Rambam (Guide to the Perplexed, Part 3, Chapter 36) and the Maharal (Nativ Ha’Avoda Ch 3).

The purpose of prayer is to see the presence of G-d upon us and to show that we are dependent on Him. For example, just like a man would ask of a doctor for healing, we must know that G-d heals the sick of Israel, and He is our savior. Prayer does not create fear of G-d but rather it brings us closer, to show us that there is a connection between us and G-d, and that G-d really does worry about our needs.

Another reason comes from a Midrash on our parasha, Parashat Toldot. Midrash Rabah (Breishit Rabbah 45, Tanchuma, Toldot 9) says: “Why did G-d cause our fore-mothers to be barren. “…Rebbi Chelbo said in the name of Rav Yochanan ‘G-d yearns for prayer and yearns for conversation as it says (Shir Ha’Shirim 2:14) ‘Oh’ my dove, in the cracks of the rocks.”

How could G-d’s desire for prayer cause him to make these women barren? From here we can understand that there is inherent meaning to prayer.  G-d knows that there is a need for man to pray, and G-d is the source of all good in this world. Prayer is a personal meeting with G-d (The Lonely Man of Faith by Rav Soloveitchik). A meeting that comes from an understanding of dependence. It is a meeting that merges our wants with the wants of our creator, that is meant to fix us and influence us, and that allows us to acquire strength in this world.

Rav Kook explains (Orote Ha’Tfilah p.82) the special influence that prayer has on a person. “The difference between someone who prays and someone that does not pray is not that the first sets aside an hour for his prayer and the latter does not. There is a fundamental difference between these two people. The structures of their lives are completely different. This same hour of prayer adds a special stamp to the entire day.”

Every day that we pray we are influenced. We can make a comparison to a cell phone. Without charging a phone, it will stop working. We also need to recharge every day, to connect to the King, to connect with the source. This connection changes our entire day.

If this is so, then one major purpose of prayer is to show us that we are dependent on G-d. We believe in His constant part in this world, and we know that everything that exists in this world comes from His strength.

We see that prayer encompasses many ideas. It is a meeting that brings us closer to the Creator of the world. This meeting gives us strength; it changes our whole day, uplifts and purifies us.

May we all remember the power of prayer and continue to do so with want and determination. And may all our prayers be answered.

Shabbat Shalom!