As we read more of Sefer Shemos we learn of the galus that Klal Yisrael endured and what proved to be the cause of their salvation. This, in turn, helps inform us of the merits that we require to similarly escape our current galus.
One of the central causes of the redemption was tefila. Though Klal Yisrael had received a promise from Hashem that they would be redeemed, nevertheless, “va’nitzak el Hashem” and “va’yishma Hashem ess na’akasam”. The promise itself was not sufficient; tefilos were also required. This will likewise apply to our current galus: Mashiach will be forthcoming through tefila, as the passuk states, “b’bechi yavo u’b’tachanunim yuvalu”.
R’ Matisyahu Salomon zt”l
It has been less than a week since the passing of the great mashgiach, R’ Matisyahu Salomon zt”l. R’ Matisyahu’s tefilos were something astounding. He would appear like a child, not talking to, but begging his father to have mercy on Klal Yisrael.
I still recall a striking message he conveyed in a sicha in Manchester, around fifteen years ago. He was addressing one of the most painful aspects of the current galus, namely, our struggling youth. He noted, sadly, that there are an alarming number of children who swiftly fall to sh’ol tachtis, to the mem-tess sha’arey tumah of galus Mitzrayim.
What is The Solution?
So what is the solution? Rav Matisyahu offered the following:
I believe that if each of us would truly have kavana when we say “v’nihyeh anachnu v’tzetza’enu v’tzetzo’ey amcha beis Yisrael kulanu yodey shemecha”, if we would truly daven for all the children of Klal Yisrael, there would be no struggling youth - none would abandon the derech hayashar v’ha’tov.
Why Tefilah?
Let us examine the parshiyos of galus Mitzrayim and try to understand the significance of tefila in these times. Why is tefila the key to redemption rather than Torah or the many other important mitzvos (some of which may even be a source of greater zechuyos than tefila)?
Hashem afflicted Mitzrayim with the terrible makah of dam. This affected the Mitzrim so badly that Pharaoh begged Moshe to daven that the plague be removed. Moshe duly did so but, as we all know, Pharoah went back on his word. This meant that another plague was forthcoming - tzefardea. Again, this was a cause of great distress for his country and so, soon enough, he came again to Moshe to beg to have the plague rescinded. Moshe did so.
Why Repeat?
With Pharaoh once again not heeding the words of Hashem, he and his country were soon smitten by kinnim and then arov. The pattern continues until he and his country suffered through ten makos. On a number of occasions the Torah stresses that Pharaoh asked Moshe to daven for the removal of the plague and he acquiesced.
Every word, letter, or ta’am in the Torah is calculated and necessary. Chazal relate that R’ Akiva would learn tiley tilin shel halachos from every kotz of every letter. Yet, the Torah repeats the fact that Moshe davened for the removal of each of the makos. This seems superfluous.
The One Way to Achieve Anything!
The great Mashgiach, R’ Yerucham Levovitz zt”l, would explain that the Torah means to teach us an important and timely lesson: There is only one way to receive anything in this world - through tefila.
Every morning we recite the mishna, elu devarim. We list a number of mitzvos and detail the great reward a person receives for them in this world and the next. We conclude by exclaiming, “v’salmud Torah keneged kulam” - Torah is the greatest mitzvah of all.
Why Not Open Your Gemara?
Whenever a gadol is sick, Hashem yerachem, we close our gemaros, say tehilim, and daven for his speedy recovery. R’ Shimshon Pinkus would ask why we do so. Surely the zechus of Torah learning is far greater, on the contrary, we should be closing our tehilim and siddurim and opening our gemaros instead!
The answer is that while Torah is indeed the source of the greatest zechusim, the only way to receive something in this word is through tefila. Tefila is the gate through which all the shefa passes. If a person does not have the key to the gate, he may have all the zechusim in the world and deserve a yeshua, however, the gate will remain locked and he will not receive the shefa. It is impossible to receive anything without tefilah.
R’ Yerucham noted that during one of the greatest eis tzaros Klal Yisrael have ever had, when Moshe Rabbenu descended Har Sinai to find Klal Yisrael worshiping avoda zara, what did he do? He did not rush to the Beis Hamedrash to learn in Klal Yisrael’s merit; he ran to Hashem and begged for forgiveness. He knew that it was tefila that could bring results.
Current Times?
This is an exceptionally difficult period for our nation. Each day we hear of more of our Jewish brothers falling in battle. The longer the war goes on the more we realize how dire our situation is. The army has been bombing Gaza from air, land, and sea for three months yet they are far from completing the job. This indicates how great the danger that dwells on our border is. And this is the weakest of our enemies! We are keenly aware that our enemies to the north pose a greater and more strategic threat. This is not to mention the Syrians, Iranians et. al. who all hate us and want to attack us. What will save us from our enemies’ evil designs? Only the koach of tefila. Without tefila, even if one has great zechuyos, one cannot be protected.
Shevat
We are about to begin the special month of Shevat, the month containing the Rosh Hashanah for the illanos. It is during this month that our livelihood is decided. The sefarim state that on this day, it is not only the fruit of the trees that is decided but also the pri ha’beten, our offspring.
“tzetza’ey amcha beis Yisrael"
As we mentioned above, one of our greatest challenges at this time is the struggling youth. The solution is to grasp the “umnus of our forefathers”, the vehicle of tefilah. In the name of our children and all the children of Klal Yisrael, let us pound upon the gates of heaven and BE”H merit not only Hashem’s protection but also His bracha for “tzetza’ey amcha beis Yisrael”.
