Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter shlita recounted a story that occurred many years ago, before the establishment of the State of Israel. While he was at the Kosel, he noticed a Jewish man visiting from abroad. The man was evidently deeply moved by the visit. The man opened a sefer Tehillim. At first, there was no noticeable emotion in his recitation. The man seemed like a simple Jew, reciting Tehillim in a plain, habitual manner, with no apparent excitement. (It was not “working” for him).
Then suddenly, after completing the entire sefer Tehillim, his heart unexpectedly opened at the last two chapters. He began crying with intense emotion, his weeping escalating until he could no longer control himself while reciting the pesukim of praise to Hashem. His sobs were unrelenting as he poured out his gratitude and praise to the Borei Yisbarach. This occurred now, even though numerous earlier chapters were filled with emotional pesukim.
Rav Schechter shlit”a remarked that although this incident occurred over fifty years ago, it remains vivid in his memory. Each time he recalls it, he feels a great spiritual awakening. He explained that this taught him an essential lesson: one should not force feelings of inspiration. Instead, one should pray properly, sincerely, and with heartfelt kavanah, as that man had done naturally. If the heart is directed sincerely, the inspiration will come on its own. The man had clearly prepared his heart for prayer at the Kosel, following the long journey he had made from abroad. After reciting so many chapters of Tehillim, his inner flame finally ignited.
Even though the chapters that finally stirred him are recited daily in the Pesukei DeZimra, and there are perhaps more stirring chapters in Tehillim, it is not within a person’s control to decide when feelings of inspiration or fervor will arise. Instead, one should pray with kavanah and a sincere heart, as it is written (Devarim 11:13), לְ בַ בְ כֶם בְּ כָל וּלְעָבְדוֹ -To serve Him with all your heart.
