PRAYER
PRAYER
DON’T FEEL
POWERLESS TO THE
POWER OF PRAYER
TIPS FOR A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE OVER ROSH HASHANAH
AND YOM KIPPUR
RABBI GREG BANK
Bearing this in mind, let us at least try and bring some
suggestions that may help us to overcome these
obstacles and make our prayers a telling experience
over the High- Holidays.
1. A paradigm shift - The point of prayer is to bring
us close to God and not distance ourselves from Him.
The ambiance of the High Holidays may distort this
as we view ourselves as subjects before a King or as
accused before the Judge. We must try to re-focus and
understand that God wants us to speak to Him.
Moreover, he wants constant contact. Rabbi Amital
zt”l used to bring an analogy of three types of
grown- up children who send money to their parents
at the old-age home.
I FEEL
compelled to begin with a note of
honesty. I may be setting a double standard by
writing this piece. Would it be fair of me to share
ideas with you on a topic that I myself, have not
mastered? Will you, the reader, be able to take me
seriously and lend me a degree of credibility if I too
have fleeting thoughts during Prayer? If you wish to
turn the page now because of this admission, please
feel free - I won’t take offense for few phenomena
tackle our society like the feeling of being powerless
to the power of prayer.
It has baffled us all equally - from the congregant
who dreads the intimidating nature of his yearly
synagogue experience to the person that sets aside
time for three daily prayers. Jewish thought views
prayer as a means to a deep religious experience, the
effects of which are far reaching and momentous. The
average person, however, feels distant from the
intimate world of meaningful prayer because of
different barricades that prevent her or him from
exploiting the amazing prospect of talking to God.
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“Just do it just daven.
Don’t think
too hard!”
The first comes by periodically with a parcel which
he personally gives to his parent. The second sends a
cheque regularly and a third child sets up a stop order,
ensuring his parent gets the money without having to
constantly worry about taking care of the issue. God
wants the relationship of the first child with us and
prayer provides this interface.
2. Be natural - Sometimes we lose concentration in
prayer because we are thinking too hard about
concentration. We fool ourselves into thinking that
if we leave a prayer with the satisfaction that we had
intent then the prayer was successful. Just do it - just
daven. Don’t think too hard!
3. Foreign thoughts are a tool - If your mind floats to
other topics, it means that these topics have a degree
of importance to you. Rav Amital’s advice on these
thoughts was to use them as content in prayer. If you
think about it; daven about it.
4. Stop! - If you see your mind drifting then stop, take
a breather and re-focus. This is not a break in thought
but rather a vehicle for better thought.
11. Prayer and not meditation - The platform for prayer
is in the synagogue, surrounded by other Jews trying to
connect with God, like ourselves. While there may be
fewer distractions in a quiet, exclusive environment, we
believe that coming together with others is an
uplifting, unifying, experience that does not detract
from our prayers but makes them even more pleasing
to God and gives us the opportunity to strengthen each
other through our prayers.
5. Let’s Talk - Prayer is a real dialogue. When we
converse in a discussion, our tone and moods vary.
Emotional expression is a key ingredient of
conversation. Accordingly, prayer should be no
different. Don’t be shy to be expressive while praying
as this is a basic characteristic of prayer.
6. Read the situation whilst reading the text - The
pages of the machzor are filled with diverse prayers
whose content provide a variety of different
atmospheres. We are captivated by a feeling of awe
whilst reciting Unetaneh Tokef and filled with
Jubilation whilst chanting the Marei Kohen. Not all
prayer is solemn and not all of it is joyous. Care must
be taken to read the appropriate mood.
7. Where would you like to sit? - When we go out for
a meal, we make our table preference based on where
the meal will be most comforta ble, with the least
distractions and allow for the maximum experience.
There is quite a bit of time spent in Shul on the
High-holidays, so make yourself comfortable.
8. Homework - Before the service take one or two
prayers and go over them. Translate them and try to
understand their meaning. Whilst this is not possible
with every prayer, have ‘your’ prayer that you know
well, and use it as a springboard for the rest of the
service.
9. Go Shopping - Find a machzor that speaks to
you. Make sure you are comfortable with the font,
size, translation, layout and the commentary that it
provides.
10. More is less or less is more - If you know you won’t
concentrate on everything, then be selective on
putting in extra concentration in specific prayers
(From a Halachik perspective - the first sentence of
Shema and the first blessing of the Amidah are
important for intent.)
“Be proud of
your
achievements,
even if they
are partial
and allow
them to
inspire you
for the next
time you
pray.”
12. Language - Hebrew may be Chinese to some of us.
God knows all languages, and while Hebrew is His Holy
dialect, it is important that in order for prayers to be
penetrating, they should be understood.
13. Body language - Our movements amplify our
speech. Choose a body movement that works for you.
Some prefer being still and upright like a soldier, others
bend themselves in submission before their Maker and
then there are those for whom movement and swaying
is needed in crying out to God
14. Making good - If you are upset or angry with
someone, it is natural that your mind will be occupied
with these ill-feelings. This will not only detract from
your concentration, but will also leave you with
blemished thoughts on a pure day.
15. It’s Okay! - Don’t judge yourself harshly. Standing
before God is not only an intense experience, it’s a hard
experience. We can’t see Him, we are dealing with texts
that may be difficult to understand and our minds float.
We are only human. Be proud of your achievements,
even if they are partial and allow them to inspire you
for the next time you pray.
These are small tips. They may work for you but
meaningful prayer is not an accurate formula. We can only
ask Hashem, as we do, at the conclusion of the Amidah “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be favourable, Hashem, my Rock and Redeemer.” ■
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