ואתחנן אל ד' בעת ההיא
“I implored Hashem at that time” (Devorim 3:23)
In the Zera Kodesh, the Ropshitzer Rebbe, zt”l, observes that the pasuk neglects to identify “that time.” Was Moshe Rabbeinu referring to a specific time? The Ropshitzer explains that this omission is by design. The Torah is teaching us a critical lesson with regard to tefillah. No specific time is established for petitioning Hashem. We can approach the Ribbono Shel Olam at any time. No “appointments” are necessary. A son need not have a special time to speak with his father. (If he does, both father and son have a problem.) Hashem is our Heavenly Father, Who waits for our entreaty with a warm welcome. Even if the response is not what we are hoping for, our supplication will be heard, our emotions felt and saved. No tefillah is lost; no tear is wasted.
The Rebbe says that a person should never say to himself, “Right now, at this moment, I do not have the lucidity to daven. I need to be in a proper presence of mind to be able to articulate my needs correctly. Later on, when I am free of some of the burdensome pressures that are overwhelming me, I will be able to daven like a mentch.” This is an incorrect way of thinking. One should daven whenever the need arises, regardless of his frame of mind. No wrong time exists to speak to a father.
Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zt”l, would daven to Hashem in the most natural manner, as if this were the only way he could ever accomplish or obtain anything. When he would return from davening at the Kosel Maaravi, he would remark in Yiddish, “I asked Him for this or that.” Everyone knew that “Him” was a reference to Hashem. This was his usual vernacular – He spoke with “Him.” His relationship with Hashem was very real, like a son to his father. This is the way it needs to be.
