 |
| Open a siddur. Open a better future. |
What comes to mind when you hear these words?
For many, they think of a siddur - a book filled with endless words that they can't read and certainly can't understand. For them, tefillah is boring - almost painful to attend and remain for its entirety. They avoid davening at all costs. After all, if they don't connect with the words or recognize the potential tefillah holds, I suppose they cannot be blamed. It sure would be frustrating for me to sit through an hour prayer session conducted in some foreign language that I don't understand. I would probably go out of mind. However, if I was told that this prayer group involves speaking with the Creator of the world, and that the words contain some ultra-powerful, proven words and phrases that can alter our lives - I would probably learn that language quite fast!
It once happened that the young son of the great Chasam Sofer (Rav Moshe Sofer, tz"l) became terribly ill. Yet, nobody had the courage to go to the Chasam Sofer and deliver him the news since they didn't want to be the cause of interrupting his learning. A short time passed, and the child's situation diminished to the point where his health was so poor that they feared his death closely approaching.
When the gathered family and friends realized that his moments were counted, the Chevra Kadisha were dispatched and beckoned to the child's bedside. They caringly placed the customary candles in the room that were to be lit when his innocent soul would depart. It was at that time that they understood the necessity of sharing the information with the Chasam Sofer.
A few of the relatives hesitantly broke the painful news to the Chasam Sofer with heavy hearts. Upon hearing how the Chevra Kadisha had already been to the house and set up the candles, the Chasam Sofer abruptly stood up, went to the Aron Kodesh, opened the curtain and doors with great emotion, and began pouring out his heart to Hashem for Him to have mercy on his son, and to reverse the dreadful situation from pain to fortune.
When he completed his powerful and stirring tefillos, he closed the doors of the Aron, and asked the people around him to return to his home and to bring the following message - to gather the candles that were to be lit ... and to store them away to be used at the child's wedding!
The men returned with a pessimistic attitude, assuming that the child had already succumbed to his illness and passed away. Yet, as they approached the house, they heard sounds of joy from within. When they entered, they were told of the boy's miraculous recovery. Indeed, they gathered the candles as instructed, and stored them away safely. Several years later, when the young man was to be married, the candles that were once intended to be lit for impending doom were lit in utter jubilation and immense celebration!
Such is the power of tefillah!
Magic? Nope. Just tefillah! Just the power of prayer!
Say to yourself ten times today:
"I will put all my efforts into davening better today! I will make them meaningful!"
No comments:
Post a Comment