Prayer
The idea of prayer is a paradox:
- Since HaShem knows everything, why does He “need” you to ask for what you want? He already knows what you want!
- Additionally, since HaShem does everything for the best, everything is already for the best the way it is now. How could we suppose to “know better” than HaShem and ask for things to be different.
- Lastly, HaShem is unchanging. How can we “change His mind?”
These questions are an invitation for deep and profound thought, and I do not claim to have an exclusively right answer.
However, to get the conversation started, I will quote in simplified fashion a teaching of the Ramchal (Rabbit Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, a renowned and authoritative master of Torah who lived in Italy in the 1700's).
The Ramchal explained that HaShem willed a condition in creation, that in order to receive good, it often must be prayed for. Suppose that right now a person is suffering from illness, and would like to become healthy. The fact that the person is ill right now means that it is the will of HaShem that it be so, and that this suffering is for the best. At the same time, it may very well be the intention and will of HaShem that this person recover soon... contingent upon that person engaging in prayer (or others praying for him/her). If it turns out that the person does not recover, that is either because it was never HaShem's intent for that person to recover because that recovery would not be for the best. Or, that person could have recovered but did not pray sufficiently... which was paradoxically also ultimately the will of HaShem (how free will and HaShem's foreknowledge are simultaneously true is another topic of discussion. See here.).
The same holds true of buying an apartment in Israel.
If it is truly for the best for you to have that apartment, then HaShem wants to give it to you. However, He may decide that there is a condition you must fulfill to receive it: prayer.
But what is so important about prayer that HaShem would make things we want in the world contingent upon it?
Let's briefly explore, at the surface level, the awesomeness of prayer.
Prayer is an incredibly lofty mitzvah that creates a deep connection with HaShem. Benefits of prayer can include:
- Enhanced awareness of the Hand of HaShem in your life
- Heightened appreciation for that which you have and receive
- Awareness that everything is for the good
- Humility
- Connecting the mundane details of life to eternity but performing the mitzvah of prayer
- Drawing down blessing to yourself and others
- Intense spiritual experiences
- Getting your prayers answered, if it’s the Will of HaShem!
We find a long tradition of praying for the merit to live in Israel.
Deteuronomy 3:23 recounts how Moses prayed for entry into the Land of Israel, having been denied entry previously. The word Moses uses to describe his prayer, “Va’etchanan,” has numerical value of 515. The Midrash recounts that Moses prayed 515 times for entry into the Land of Israel until HaShem replied that he should stop praying further.
Moses, the greatest man who ever lived, didn’t merit to go into the land of Israel. In contrast, Jews today can readily reach Israel in relative comfort and safety.
Below are some teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov as collected/translated in the book “Crossing the Narrow Bridge” by Rabbi Chaim Kramer of the Breslov Research Institute (P 114-116):
Rebbe Nachman teaches: a Jew’s main attachment to G-d is through prayer (Likutey Moharan II, 84). Through his prayers, each Jew acquires mastery and control – he can achieve whatever he desires (Likutey Moharan I, 97).
The essence of our life-force comes from prayer (Likutey Moharan I, 9:1). Prayer brings life to all the worlds (Likutey Moharan I, 9:3).
… Faith, Prayer, Miracles, and the Holy Land are all one concept (Likutey Moharan I, 7:1). How so? When we pray, it is a sign of our faith. Why else would we be praying? Prayer increases our faith, and, as we pray, we gradually develop a more intimate feeling for our Creator. This in turn can lead to miracles. The more we pray, the more we can attain mastery over the elements. This is because our prayers are directed to G-d, and He has mastery over all of Creation. Therefore, G-d can, and will, perform miracles for those whose prayers are filled with a refined level of faith. In addition, these miracles and prayers are conceptually related to the Holy Land, for the reveal holiness and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Prayer has the power to change nature (Likutey Moharan I, 216). This applies both to the forces of nature, and to one’s own human nature.
You can pray not only for the money to purchase a home, but also:
- To buy the home that is right for you and your family
- To buy a home near good neighbors
- To buy a home you and your family will be happy in
- To buy a home free of major defects
- To buy a home that will increase in value
- To buy a safe home
- And so on…
You can also pray for success for each step of the homebuying process:
- Negotiation
- Appraisal
- Inspection (that your inspection should turn up anything you need to know)
- Choosing a lawyer
- Choosing a mortgage broker
- Getting a mortgage
- That everything should be good with the contract
- That the transaction should go through successfully
Each and every one of your prayers is precious, whether answered or not. For prayer is a truly lofty form of divine connection and an awesome mitzvah that will fill you with life force and faith.
You can pray in whatever language feels most comfortable and in your own words. And if you don’t have the words to express your prayers, you can follow Rebbe Nachman’s advice to simply pray for help to have the words to say in prayer. You can say, “HaShem, I don’t know how to pray to you or what to pray about or what words to use. Please help me.”