In this past weeks Torah Reading Tazria-Metzora we found the descriptions of Tzaarat a spiritual-moral affliction that manifests itself through physical symptoms. We also found the Metzora one who is afflicted with Tzaarat and the procedure the Kohen (priest) uses to cure" him.
And the person with Tzaarat in whom the plague is his clothes shall be rent his hair left uncut he shall put a covering up to his lips a mask and he shall cry out contaminated contaminated. All the days that the affliction is upon him he is contaminated he is Tameh spiritually unclean and spiritually contagious. He shall dwell alone in self-isolation outside the camp through social distancing (Leviticus 13:45-46).
That sounds a lot like whats been taking place these days throughout the world… The CoronaBlues.
We are told that the sin of Loshon HaRa (slander) against others causing division and hatred between people is the reason that this invisible enemy" has come upon him. Because he separated wives from their husbands and friend from friend with his evil speech he is now isolated from society (Talmud Arakhin 16B).
The Dubno Magid Rabbi Yakov Krantz explained that many people say negative things and arent aware of the power of their speech. They rationalize I only said..." The Metzora is taught a lesson about the power of even a single word. Going to the Kohen to be diagnosed as to whether hes a Metzora or not by one word Tameh the Kohen decides his future and he can be sent away from society into isolation. (Ohel Yakov Metzora).
...And he shall cry out contaminated contaminated."
The Talmud in Sotah 32B states that the Metzora does this to let others know of his affliction so that people will pray for his recovery. The Talmud adds that anyone suffering should inform the public and they will pray to God to have mercy on him. From here we learn that when you hear of someones troubles sickness or suffering from a tragedy you should pray for them even though you were not directly asked to do so.
So I hope everybody reading this has been increasing their Ahavat Yisrael the last few months; praying for those stricken with the Corona plague those unemployed and all who are suffering from this pandemic.
Weve all heard of roof-top or Merpasot (balcony) Minyans neighbors in buildings next to or within earshot of each other participating in a community minyan while the Batei Knesset (synagogues) have been closed do to the lock-down. But not everybody has been lucky to do that. Many many people have been Davening (praying) alone at home.
Israelis are fluent in Hebrew (unlike many of their brethren (even the orthodox) in Chutz LAretz (outside the Land) and many Israeli Minyans move along quite quickly during prayers. But Ive always wondered just how much Kavanah (thoughtful intention/mindfulness) and emotional outpouring of the soul to God can one have when praying that fast.
As the prophets and psalmist said over and over and over again chastising a sinning Israel I dont want your sacrifices I want your love; I dont want your offerings I want you to know me" (Hosea 6:6).
With the destruction of the second temple the rabbis put more emphasis on prayer. The Talmud in Berachot 26b teaches that R. Joshua ben Levi said The prayers were instituted to replace the daily sacrifices." Offerings of the mind heart and lips were now equated with the offerings of burnt flesh.
Midrash Tehillim 39:3 teaches A prayer on the tongue is better than any sacrifice. As its written I will praise the name of God with a song I will exalt him with thanksgiving and it shall please God better than bulls Psalms 69:31-32."
But are quick zippy minyans conducive to thoughtful heartful prayer and connection to the Holy One Blessed Be He?
Interestingly the Zohar3:228a (Raya Mehemna) makes the connection between prayer the Kashrut of sacrifices and lung damage (disease). If prayer becomes stuck and is expressed with difficulty then it is torn away (Treif). This is because an adhesion in the lung renders something torn away." Thus invalidating the offering.
Well guess what God seems to have said for nearly two months Im not interested in your meaningless minyans in synagogue just like your former sacrifices so Ill close them down too!"
In this time of mass synagogue closures because of the CoronaVirus it presents people with a new opportunity to really work on ones prayer in the quiet and comfort of their own home without concern of what others will think or say to learn to truly pour out their hearts to their creator.
Lets take a look at some things that can be done to spice up" daily prayers and make them more meaningful.
1. Try learning some new Perushim (explanations/commentaries) on the prayers or particular Psalms or Pasukim (verses).
2. Spend some time before you start to pray contemplating that the Master of the Universe is right there with you. The Mishnah in Berakhot 5:1 teaches that the Chasidim Rishonim (pious men of old) would contemplate/meditate an entire hour in preparation for prayer that they might direct their thoughts to God. So at least take a few moments.
3. Try singing Pasukim (verses) instead of just saying the words. When you get to a Pasuk that you know a tune to sing it out repeat it a few times get into it connect to it its meaning and to God.
There are gates on high that can only be opened with song" (Tikkunei Zohar 11 26b).
The Talmud in Arakhin 11a teaches It is written You did not serve God with joy and gladness of heart (Deuteronomy 28:47). What worship includes joy and gladness? This is song."
When you pray do so with a melody that is sweet and pleasant in your ears. The melody will cause you to pray with feeling since it leads your heart to follow the words" (Sefer Chasidim 158).
4. Try raising your hands to heaven above your head its very liberating.
Exodus 17:11 says So it came about when Moses held his hands up that Israel prevailed and when he let his hands down Amalek prevailed." We all are struggling with that inner Amalek our Yetzer HaRa (evil inclination) of anxiety these days that tries to distract us during prayer from anything meaningful.
Do Moses hands make or break war? Rather this teaches: Whenever Israel would look upward and direct their hearts to their Father in Heaven they prevailed..." (Mishnah Rosh HaShanah 3:8).
As it says in Psalms 88:10 Everyday I call out to You God I spread out my hands to You."
Raising ones hands alludes to the fact that the Shekhina (Gods indwelling presence) is transmitting sustenance from on high" (Pardes Rimonim 15:3).
Its a great Maalah (merit/virtue) to stretch out your hands during prayer or when giving thanks or praise to the Boreh Yitbarach Shmo (the Creator Blessed be His Name)" (Sefer Yesod VShoresh HaAvodah Gate 3 Song Chapter 1).
5. In the Yeshiva that I often Daven at for Shabbat during parts of Kabbalat Shabbat they break out a few times into dance while singing repetitively the verse. They also dance often during parts of Hallel and in other places of the prayers. So even when Ive been praying at home Ive kept up the tradition." Try dancing while singing verses its good exercise and it will open up your lungs and heart to God. A lot is said in sources about movement during prayer this just takes it to the next level.
6. Say the Amida (Shmoneh Esrei silent prayer) very slowly even better if you can do it from memory rather than reading from the Siddur (prayer book). Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in his book Jewish Meditation" pg. 105 refers to the Chasidim Rishonim who after collecting their thoughts for an hour said the Amida for another hour.
He says that the Amida was used as a meditative device. Rabbi Kaplan points out that the Amida has about 500 words and if said for an hour (3600 seconds) that is a pace of about one word every seven seconds. Saying the Amida at this pace is a highly advanced form of meditation. And although most of us arent there yet maintaining this pace for the first Bracha (paragraph) which contains only 42 words is within reach. One word every seven seconds would take just under five minutes a reasonable amount of time and yet long enough to put one into a deep meditative state.
Every word of prayer is a complete concept. You must therefore place all your feelings into it. If you dont it remains incomplete" (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov Tzavaat HaRivash).
Our main link to God is through words words of Torah and prayer. Every single letter in these words has an inner spiritual essence. You must attach your thoughts and innermost being to this essence… When you draw out a word and dont want to let it go you are in a state of Devekut attachment to God" (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov Keter Shem Tov 44).
My challenge to all who have been forced to pray at home instead of their local synagogue these days is to use the situation for growth. Even better when finally liberated from this viral Mitzraim bring back to the Beit Knesset what you have achieved. Talk to others compare notes.
Happy to return to synagogue; make Davening really something special. Bring life and joy back to prayer even during the weekdays.
As Rebbe Nachman of Breslov was fond of saying Simcha (joy) brings Refuah (healing). Just another way to kill off the CoronaBlues.
Ariel Natan Pasko an independent analyst and consultant has a Masters Degree specializing in International Relations Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c) 2020/5780 Pasko
In this past weeks Torah Reading Tazria-Metzora we found the descriptions of Tzaarat a spiritual-moral affliction that manifests itself through physical symptoms. We also found the Metzora one who is afflicted with Tzaarat and the procedure the Kohen (priest) uses to cure" him.
And the person with Tzaarat in whom the plague is his clothes shall be rent his hair left uncut he shall put a covering up to his lips a mask and he shall cry out contaminated contaminated. All the days that the affliction is upon him he is contaminated he is Tameh spiritually unclean and spiritually contagious. He shall dwell alone in self-isolation outside the camp through social distancing (Leviticus 13:45-46).
That sounds a lot like whats been taking place these days throughout the world… The CoronaBlues.
We are told that the sin of Loshon HaRa (slander) against others causing division and hatred between people is the reason that this invisible enemy" has come upon him. Because he separated wives from their husbands and friend from friend with his evil speech he is now isolated from society (Talmud Arakhin 16B).
The Dubno Magid Rabbi Yakov Krantz explained that many people say negative things and arent aware of the power of their speech. They rationalize I only said..." The Metzora is taught a lesson about the power of even a single word. Going to the Kohen to be diagnosed as to whether hes a Metzora or not by one word Tameh the Kohen decides his future and he can be sent away from society into isolation. (Ohel Yakov Metzora).
...And he shall cry out contaminated contaminated."
The Talmud in Sotah 32B states that the Metzora does this to let others know of his affliction so that people will pray for his recovery. The Talmud adds that anyone suffering should inform the public and they will pray to God to have mercy on him. From here we learn that when you hear of someones troubles sickness or suffering from a tragedy you should pray for them even though you were not directly asked to do so.
So I hope everybody reading this has been increasing their Ahavat Yisrael the last few months; praying for those stricken with the Corona plague those unemployed and all who are suffering from this pandemic.
Weve all heard of roof-top or Merpasot (balcony) Minyans neighbors in buildings next to or within earshot of each other participating in a community minyan while the Batei Knesset (synagogues) have been closed do to the lock-down. But not everybody has been lucky to do that. Many many people have been Davening (praying) alone at home.
Israelis are fluent in Hebrew (unlike many of their brethren (even the orthodox) in Chutz LAretz (outside the Land) and many Israeli Minyans move along quite quickly during prayers. But Ive always wondered just how much Kavanah (thoughtful intention/mindfulness) and emotional outpouring of the soul to God can one have when praying that fast.
As the prophets and psalmist said over and over and over again chastising a sinning Israel I dont want your sacrifices I want your love; I dont want your offerings I want you to know me" (Hosea 6:6).
With the destruction of the second temple the rabbis put more emphasis on prayer. The Talmud in Berachot 26b teaches that R. Joshua ben Levi said The prayers were instituted to replace the daily sacrifices." Offerings of the mind heart and lips were now equated with the offerings of burnt flesh.
Midrash Tehillim 39:3 teaches A prayer on the tongue is better than any sacrifice. As its written I will praise the name of God with a song I will exalt him with thanksgiving and it shall please God better than bulls Psalms 69:31-32."
But are quick zippy minyans conducive to thoughtful heartful prayer and connection to the Holy One Blessed Be He?
Interestingly the Zohar3:228a (Raya Mehemna) makes the connection between prayer the Kashrut of sacrifices and lung damage (disease). If prayer becomes stuck and is expressed with difficulty then it is torn away (Treif). This is because an adhesion in the lung renders something torn away." Thus invalidating the offering.
Well guess what God seems to have said for nearly two months Im not interested in your meaningless minyans in synagogue just like your former sacrifices so Ill close them down too!"
In this time of mass synagogue closures because of the CoronaVirus it presents people with a new opportunity to really work on ones prayer in the quiet and comfort of their own home without concern of what others will think or say to learn to truly pour out their hearts to their creator.
Lets take a look at some things that can be done to spice up" daily prayers and make them more meaningful.
1. Try learning some new Perushim (explanations/commentaries) on the prayers or particular Psalms or Pasukim (verses).
2. Spend some time before you start to pray contemplating that the Master of the Universe is right there with you. The Mishnah in Berakhot 5:1 teaches that the Chasidim Rishonim (pious men of old) would contemplate/meditate an entire hour in preparation for prayer that they might direct their thoughts to God. So at least take a few moments.
3. Try singing Pasukim (verses) instead of just saying the words. When you get to a Pasuk that you know a tune to sing it out repeat it a few times get into it connect to it its meaning and to God.
There are gates on high that can only be opened with song" (Tikkunei Zohar 11 26b).
The Talmud in Arakhin 11a teaches It is written You did not serve God with joy and gladness of heart (Deuteronomy 28:47). What worship includes joy and gladness? This is song."
When you pray do so with a melody that is sweet and pleasant in your ears. The melody will cause you to pray with feeling since it leads your heart to follow the words" (Sefer Chasidim 158).
4. Try raising your hands to heaven above your head its very liberating.
Exodus 17:11 says So it came about when Moses held his hands up that Israel prevailed and when he let his hands down Amalek prevailed." We all are struggling with that inner Amalek our Yetzer HaRa (evil inclination) of anxiety these days that tries to distract us during prayer from anything meaningful.
Do Moses hands make or break war? Rather this teaches: Whenever Israel would look upward and direct their hearts to their Father in Heaven they prevailed..." (Mishnah Rosh HaShanah 3:8).
As it says in Psalms 88:10 Everyday I call out to You God I spread out my hands to You."
Raising ones hands alludes to the fact that the Shekhina (Gods indwelling presence) is transmitting sustenance from on high" (Pardes Rimonim 15:3).
Its a great Maalah (merit/virtue) to stretch out your hands during prayer or when giving thanks or praise to the Boreh Yitbarach Shmo (the Creator Blessed be His Name)" (Sefer Yesod VShoresh HaAvodah Gate 3 Song Chapter 1).
5. In the Yeshiva that I often Daven at for Shabbat during parts of Kabbalat Shabbat they break out a few times into dance while singing repetitively the verse. They also dance often during parts of Hallel and in other places of the prayers. So even when Ive been praying at home Ive kept up the tradition." Try dancing while singing verses its good exercise and it will open up your lungs and heart to God. A lot is said in sources about movement during prayer this just takes it to the next level.
6. Say the Amida (Shmoneh Esrei silent prayer) very slowly even better if you can do it from memory rather than reading from the Siddur (prayer book). Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in his book Jewish Meditation" pg. 105 refers to the Chasidim Rishonim who after collecting their thoughts for an hour said the Amida for another hour.
He says that the Amida was used as a meditative device. Rabbi Kaplan points out that the Amida has about 500 words and if said for an hour (3600 seconds) that is a pace of about one word every seven seconds. Saying the Amida at this pace is a highly advanced form of meditation. And although most of us arent there yet maintaining this pace for the first Bracha (paragraph) which contains only 42 words is within reach. One word every seven seconds would take just under five minutes a reasonable amount of time and yet long enough to put one into a deep meditative state.
Every word of prayer is a complete concept. You must therefore place all your feelings into it. If you dont it remains incomplete" (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov Tzavaat HaRivash).
Our main link to God is through words words of Torah and prayer. Every single letter in these words has an inner spiritual essence. You must attach your thoughts and innermost being to this essence… When you draw out a word and dont want to let it go you are in a state of Devekut attachment to God" (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov Keter Shem Tov 44).
My challenge to all who have been forced to pray at home instead of their local synagogue these days is to use the situation for growth. Even better when finally liberated from this viral Mitzraim bring back to the Beit Knesset what you have achieved. Talk to others compare notes.
Happy to return to synagogue; make Davening really something special. Bring life and joy back to prayer even during the weekdays.
As Rebbe Nachman of Breslov was fond of saying Simcha (joy) brings Refuah (healing). Just another way to kill off the CoronaBlues.
Ariel Natan Pasko an independent analyst and consultant has a Masters Degree specializing in International Relations Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c) 2020/5780 Pasko