{"id":50068,"date":"2020-09-09T13:03:14","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T13:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/?p=50068"},"modified":"2020-09-09T13:03:14","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T13:03:14","slug":"weekly-tefilah-focus-on-elul-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/weekly-tefilah-focus-on-elul-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Tefilah Focus on Elul – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Praying for a Better Future\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week and this week, in preparation for Elul, we are reviewing some of the first segments from the start of the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0series.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the start of Elul, rather than plunging ourselves into\u00a0cheshbon ha\u2019nefesh<\/em>\u00a0(accounting of one\u2019s soul), many advise to begin by strengthening the core areas of our\u00a0avodas Hashem<\/em>.\u00a0 Since we are involved in\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0in this program, and since\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0is certainly one of the core areas of our service to Hashem, we are reviewing four segments in particular, between last week and this week, since they speak about the purpose of\u00a0tefilah<\/em>, and arguably the three most important words of\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0and of all of our\u00a0brachos<\/em>, which, in Elul, is another area we must work on strengthening.<\/p>\n

H<\/strong>ow Can I Maintain Focus?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Practical Tips for Maintaining Focus<\/em><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Sifsei Chayim<\/em>1<\/sup>\u00a0quotes the Rambam who states that maintaining focus during the entire\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0is a realistic long-term goal and it is within our reach.\u00a0 He tells us that this can take many\u00a0years<\/strong>\u00a0and we should not give up hope and settle for less.\u00a0 Each person is different in the amount of time it will take, but if we are persistent in our efforts, Hashem will assist us and we will succeed,\u00a0b\u2019ezras Hashem<\/em>.<\/p>\n

As with any other long-term important goal, we must begin with small steps and make consistent but manageable efforts, building brick upon brick, until we have built a magnificent structure, bonding with the\u00a0Sh\u2019chinah<\/em>\u00a0daily during our\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>.\u00a0 Here are some practical tips to assist us in our efforts:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Our approach leading into the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0is crucial.\u00a0 For two out of the three daily recitations of the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>, we have recited\u00a0Ashrei<\/em>, and our efforts in garnering and enhancing our\u00a0emunah<\/em>\u00a0through\u00a0Ashrei<\/em>\u00a0should place us in the right frame of mind.\u00a0 During\u00a0Maariv<\/em>, we have recited the\u00a0Shema<\/em>, and that should help us in the same way.\u00a0 We then have the items discussed in the previous two\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0segments, especially the\u00a0pasuk<\/em>\u00a0\u201c\u05d4’ \u05e9\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9<\/span>\u201d that we recite in all three\u00a0Shemoneh Esreis<\/em>, immediately prior to the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>.\u00a0 The key to all of the above for men who\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0with a\u00a0minyan<\/em>, especially\u00a0Minchah<\/em>, is to make it a habit to come (at least a couple of minutes) early, to contemplate some of these things and get into the proper frame of mind.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Regardless of where in the world we are,\u00a0Siman<\/em>\u00a094 in the\u00a0Shulchan Aruch<\/em>\u00a0instructs us to envision ourselves in Eretz Yisrael, in Yerushalayim, in the\u00a0Beis HaMikdash<\/em>, inside the\u00a0Kodesh HaKodashim<\/em>, before each\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201c\u05d3\u05e2 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9 \u05de\u05d9 \u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05e2\u05d5\u05de\u05d3<\/span>\u2013Da lifnei Mi atah omeid<\/em>\u201d (Know before Whom you stand) is a short phrase worth recalling as we step into the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Selecting one of the many\u00a0s\u2019farim<\/em>\u00a0available on\u00a0davening<\/em>\u00a0in general or the particular segment we are working on, as well as reviewing that week\u2019s focus piece for two to five minutes before one of the daily\u00a0tefilos<\/em>\u00a0each day, provides a focused entry into that\u00a0tefilah<\/em>, which can provide a boost for that entire\u00a0tefilah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Rav Chaim Volozhin provides guidance on how to concentrate and feel reassured that the words will hit their intended mark (as discussed in our introduction).\u00a0 He tells us to focus intently on looking at each word in the\u00a0siddur<\/em>\u00a0(or for those who have better\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0with their eyes closed, to mentally picture each word).\u00a0 Pointing with our finger can help achieve this focus.\u00a0 Remember that regardless of how basic (a simple translation) or complex our\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0in a particular word is, the 120 Elders (\u05d0\u05e0\u05e9\u05d9 \u05db\u05e0\u05e1\u05ea \u05d4\u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4<\/span>), which included a number of Prophets, formulated these words with\u00a0ruach ha\u2019kodesh<\/em>.\u00a0 If we focus on seeing each word, it will go up and accomplish what was intended when they formulated it.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Personalizing our\u00a0tefilos<\/em>\u00a0is a very powerful method to enhance focus.\u00a0 In fact, Rav Chaim Volozhin, in\u00a0Ruach Chaim<\/em>\u00a0on\u00a0Avos<\/em>\u00a01:2, tells us that when the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0was formulated by the 120 Elders, everything each of us includes in personalizing our\u00a0tefilos<\/em>\u00a0was actually included in that formulation through their\u00a0ruach ha\u2019kodesh<\/em>.<\/p>\n

We must\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0for our own personal spiritual and physical needs.\u00a0 If we truly believe that our fate is controlled by Hashem and that\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0has a great impact on whether we receive that which we desire (if in our best interests), that alone should keep us focused.\u00a0 Remembering that our\u00a0Avos<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Imahos<\/em>\u00a0and many others before us had to\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0for many years before their requests were granted should provide us with the strength to persevere and continue to consistently pour our hearts out in\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0for ourselves and others.<\/p>\n

Davening<\/em>\u00a0for\u00a0klal Yisrael<\/em>\u00a0and for other individuals is one of the highest forms of\u00a0chesed<\/em>\u00a0we can do for others.\u00a0 We may think that\u00a0chesed<\/em>\u00a0is limited to physical acts, listening to others unburden their troubles, or providing financial assistance.\u00a0 However, if we remember that Hashem produces all results, then we understand that\u00a0davening<\/em>\u00a0with heart for another in need is at least as much a\u00a0chesed<\/em>\u00a0as any kind action taken, which, though absolutely necessary, will not produce results without Hashem.\u00a0 Both the physical efforts of\u00a0chesed<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0are vital.\u00a0 We stress the\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0here because, perhaps to some, it is less obvious.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 The Chofetz Chaim, in his\u00a0sefer Sheim Olam<\/em>, suggests that we should\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0from a\u00a0siddur<\/em>\u00a0and that, before each\u00a0brachah<\/em>, we should think very briefly about what we are going to praise Hashem about or what we plan to request in this\u00a0brachah<\/em>.\u00a0 (Note: some\u00a0siddurim<\/em>\u00a0contain a one-word introduction before each\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 Using our own\u00a0siddur<\/em>, writing notes inside our\u00a0siddur<\/em>, and perhaps even alternating\u00a0siddurim<\/em>\u00a0periodically, also can help to increase focus.<\/p>\n

This is by no means a comprehensive list.\u00a0 We are all unique, and some techniques will work for some and not for others.\u00a0 Some of us will do best to focus on seeing the words and the basic translation.\u00a0 Others will prefer deep meanings and associations.\u00a0 Yet others are pulled more by emotion and will prefer personalization.\u00a0 Each person knows himself or herself and understands what will work and what will not.\u00a0 Consider trying some of these suggestions that you have not tried yet, to see which may help you.\u00a0 The key for all of us, though, is to ask Hashem to help us succeed and to put forth a consistent and persistent effort.\u00a0\u00a0Never<\/strong>\u00a0give up.\u00a0 We\u00a0can<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0will<\/strong>,\u00a0b\u2019ezras Hashem<\/em>, succeed.<\/p>\n

Please let us know what other ideas work for\u00a0you<\/strong>\u00a0and we can,\u00a0b\u2019ezras Hashem<\/em>, compile a list and send it out to others at a future time.<\/p>\n

\u05e9\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd, \u05de\u05d3\u05d5\u05ea \u05d0’<\/span><\/sup>\u00a01<\/sup><\/p>\n

Which three words do you say most often?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the course of your lifetime and even daily, which three words do you say most often? \u00a0Men are obligated to recite at least 100\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0daily (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, siman<\/em>\u00a046:3).\u00a0 Whether women share this obligation is subject to dispute.\u00a0 Even if they are not obligated, women also certainly recite many\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0daily.\u00a0 Therefore, the three words \u201cBaruch Atah Hashem<\/em>\u201d are probably the three words that we utter most frequently, and they are arguably amongst the most important.\u00a0 We begin our\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0with these words as well.\u00a0 If we focus our hearts and minds when saying these words (Men will make at least 35,400\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0annually!), we possess the potential to infuse ourselves with\u00a0emunah<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0yir\u2019as Shamayim<\/em>, to bring a constant flow of blessing to the entire world, to increase Hashem\u2019s\u00a0rachamim<\/em>\u00a0upon His people, and so much more \u2013 multiple times a day.<\/p>\n

Baruch<\/strong><\/p>\n

A) Hashem is\u00a0the<\/strong>\u00a0source of all\u00a0brachah<\/em>;\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0flows from Him to all.\u00a0 The word\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0comes from the words \u201cbreichas mayim<\/em>\u201d (a wellspring of water), where the water flows constantly without interruption.\u00a0 Just as a wellspring is the source of the constant flow of water, so too is Hashem the (exclusive) source of the constant flow of all\u00a0brachah<\/em>.\u00a0 (Rashba, Rabbeinu Bachya)<\/p>\n

Hashem does not need our\u00a0brachos<\/em>.\u00a0 He wanted us to make\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0for\u00a0our<\/strong>\u00a0benefit.\u00a0 When we testify and internalize that He is the source of all\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0and recognize His\u00a0hashgachah pratis<\/em>\u00a0(Divine providence), we merit to cause more\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0to flow to the world and to ourselves.\u00a0 \u201c\u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05de\u05d1\u05e8\u05da \u05de\u05ea\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span>\u2013Kol ha\u2019m\u2019vareich misbareich<\/em>\u201d (Gemara\u00a0Sotah<\/em>\u00a038).\u00a0 (Avudraham and other\u00a0Rishonim<\/em>)<\/p>\n

B) Some\u00a0Rishonim<\/em>\u00a0state that in fact reciting a\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0is<\/strong>\u00a0(as if) for Hashem\u2019s \u201cbenefit.\u201d\u00a0 They point to a\u00a0pasuk<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0Sh\u2019mos<\/em>\u00a0where the word means to increase.\u00a0 Hashem wants to bring a constant flow of\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0onto the world.\u00a0 He designed the world to allow us the privilege to be the intermediaries to cause that flow to come down through our\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0tefilos<\/em>.\u00a0 This \u201callows\u201d Hashem to fulfill His will of showering us with good.\u00a0 Thus, when we recite the word \u201cBaruch<\/em>,\u201d we are asking that Hashem increase the flow of\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0to all the worlds and to our world, and fulfilling Hashem\u2019s desire by facilitating His \u201cability\u201d to flow\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0into the world.<\/p>\n

Some offer a combined approach for \u201cBaruch<\/em>\u201d: Hashem is the source of\u00a0brachah<\/em>, and it should be the will of Hashem that He increase His influence on the world so that He can be recognized to a greater extent.<\/p>\n

Atah<\/strong><\/p>\n

While we have seen alternate meanings of the word \u201cBaruch<\/em>,\u201d the word \u201cAtah<\/em>\u201d is clear and unambiguous.\u00a0 It has only one meaning: Each and every one of us has the ability (and privilege) to turn directly to Hashem each time we say \u201cAtah<\/em>\u201d (Chofetz Chaim, quoted in the\u00a0sefer Tal\u2019lei Oros<\/em>).\u00a0 This word indicates an unusually high level of closeness since, although a\u00a0rav<\/em>\u00a0must be spoken to in third person, we may address Hashem in second person.<\/p>\n

Someone once approached HaRav Shmuel Auerbach\u00a0shlita<\/em>\u00a0to ask him about the different meanings of \u201cBaruch.\u201d\u00a0 He was told that more important than which meaning we have in mind is to remember \u201cDa lifnei mi atah omeid<\/em>\u2013Know before Whom you stand.\u201d\u00a0 This is the most important\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0tefilah<\/em>, the most important\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0brachos<\/em>, and one of the most important principles by which to live our lives.\u00a0 In fact, in the Gemara in\u00a0B\u2019rachos<\/em>\u00a028b, when Rabbi Eliezer was ill, his students asked him to teach them the ways of life that would lead them to\u00a0Olam HaBa<\/em>.\u00a0 Knowing before Whom we stand was one of the three lessons Rabbi Eliezer taught them.<\/p>\n

Hashem<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Hashem\u2019s name is in its form that we do not pronounce as written, the proper\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0is [Hashem] \u201cwas, is, and always will be.\u201d\u00a0 A deeper understanding is that He created something from nothing (was); He causes all to exist, since without Him nothing truly exists (is); and He is everlasting and eternal (will be).\u00a0 When Hashem\u2019s name is spelled the way we pronounce it today, as it is in the words \u201cHashem s\u2019fasai<\/em>,\u201d the proper\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0is \u201cAdon HaKol,<\/em>\u201d Master over all.\u00a0 (Shulchan Aruch<\/em>,\u00a0siman<\/em>\u00a05)<\/p>\n

We have also seen the additional thought of \u201cHaAdon sheli<\/em>\u201d \u2013\u00a0my<\/strong>\u00a0Master (indicating a personal relationship with Hashem).<\/p>\n

The Vilna Gaon, quoted by the\u00a0Mishnah B\u2019rurah<\/em>\u00a0(in\u00a0siman<\/em>\u00a05) states that with the exception of\u00a0Shema<\/em>, even when Hashem\u2019s name appears in written form, we may have only the\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0of \u201cAdon HaKol<\/em>\u201d in mind.\u00a0 For\u00a0Shema<\/em>, one is also required to have in mind \u201cwas, is, and always will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

May we be\u00a0zocheh<\/em>\u00a0to succeed in our mission of bringing a constant, plentiful flow of blessing and compassion to the world, and to ourselves and loved ones, by focusing on knowing and feeling before beginning any\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0that we are standing before\u00a0the<\/strong>\u00a0source of\u00a0all<\/strong>\u00a0brachah<\/em>, and may our\u00a0brachos<\/em>\u00a0also succeed in becoming vehicles through which we come closer to Hashem with each heartfelt and focused\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0we recite.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Praying for a Better Future\u00a0 Last week and this week, in preparation for Elul, we are reviewing some of the first segments from the start of the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei\u00a0series. At the start of Elul, rather than plunging ourselves into\u00a0cheshbon ha\u2019nefesh\u00a0(accounting of one\u2019s soul), many advise to begin by strengthening the core areas of our\u00a0avodas Hashem.\u00a0 Since […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133662,"featured_media":50069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elul"],"yoast_head":"\nWeekly Tefilah Focus on Elul - Part 2 - Jewish Holidays<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/weekly-tefilah-focus-on-elul-part-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Weekly Tefilah Focus on Elul - Part 2 - Jewish Holidays\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Praying for a Better Future\u00a0 Last week and this week, in preparation for Elul, we are reviewing some of the first segments from the start of the\u00a0Shemoneh Esrei\u00a0series. 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