The Learning and Davening Feed Off Each Other

Reb Shlomo Zarchi relates:

As a bochur, I asked the Rebbe regarding thinking Chassidus before davening, what is preferred to think before davening: a specific maamar that is designated as a maamar to daven with, or the maamar that I was currently learning?

The Rebbe answered:

“Better think over the maamar that you are involved in.”

And the Rebbe explained, “The purpose of thinking Chassidus before davening is so that the Chassidus infuses a chayus in the davening, and davening enlivens the Chassidus that you are learning.” This would only be accomplished by contemplating the maamar I was studying.

Then the Rebbe added, “And every maamar can be applied in avoda.”

(As heard from Reb Shlomo Zarchi)