Reb Shneur Zalman Gafni related:
After running Or Temimim Baal Teshuva Program for a while, I came to New York in 5729 (1969) to discuss my progress. I was primarily concerned that my yeshiva responsibilities were hindering my own davening at length.
The Rebbe responded that my talmidim should be my first concern. He gave me an example from the story of Rabbi Shmuel bar Shilas, who the Gemara describes as entirely dedicated to his students, never taking his mind off them.
As the Rebbe spoke, I thought to myself, “This is the end of me; from now on, only the students matter...”
Suddenly the Rebbe stopped talking and looked up at the ceiling. After a moment, the Rebbe addressed my thoughts. “But we still need to find a solution...”
The Rebbe suggested that I recite several passages of davening slowly, with intensity, and the rest at a regular pace. But I should bend the page where I stopped my intense davening, and after several days continue to the next part.
The Rebbe concluded that I still had Shabbos to make up for it, adding that “If one davens properly on Shabbos, that illuminates the entire week.”
