The Canaanites who dwelled in the south heard

One day a group of us were invited to a Bris Milah being made by one of the group for his son. The Bris was supposed to take place in the middle of the day in one of the busy areas of the city, therefore, some of us arranged to travel together in one car. When we reached the neighborhood, of course we were stuck in heavy traffic. I heard the driver speak and say, “Ribono shel olam, please prepare for us a good parking space close to the hall, and we should not have to waste time looking for parking. He kept repeating his requests for a parking space.”

While he was speaking, we were almost at the hall where the Bris was taking place, and we thought we would put the car in a paid parking lot which was nearby. To our surprise, we see one of our friends who had arrived earlier signaling us to come closer to the hall. While we were still deciding what to do, we saw an open parking space literally at the entrance to the hall. We were thrilled with the parking space that opened for us, and even more so for the lesson we learned how to ask for anything from Hashem.

'וישמע הכנעני מלך ערד ישב הנגב כי בא ישראל' – ‘The Canaanite, king of Arad, who dwelled in the south, heard that Israel had come’ (21:1), Rashi explains who was the Canaanite, ‘Who dwelled in the south – this is Amalek, as it says, 'הנגב בארץ יושב עמלק' – 'Amalek dwells in the area of the south’ (13:29). Amalek changed his language to speak in the Canaanite tongue, so that Israel should pray to HaKadosh Baruch Hu to give the Canaanites in their hands, but they were not the Canaanites. Israel saw that their clothes were like the clothes of Amalek, but their language was the language of Canaan. They said, “Let us pray without specifying a nation, as it says 'אם נתון תתן את העם הזה בידי' (21:2) – ‘If You will deliver this people into my hand’.”’ This is perplexing! Amalek knew quite well how important the Tefillah of Israel was, and he also knew that if Israel prayed to HaKadosh Baruch Hu they would be answered. Therefore, they changed their language to trick them into praying for another nation, and they would not be able to defeat them.

Amalek knew, do we also know? Do we believe that HaKadosh Baruch Hu hears every one of our prayers and accepts them?! We can learn from these words of Rashi how great and significant Tefillah is when it is specific and clear. You need a salvation – pray but be specific in your prayer the salvation you are asking for. Then pray clearly and ask of Hashem Yisbarach that He do good for you. Then Hashem will surely listen for 'קרוב ה' לכל קוראיו לכל אשר יקראוהו באמת' – Hashem is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely’ (Tehillim 145:18).