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(Samuel II 23:3)” (Likutei Moharan I 10). Therefore, the Gemara also out, and behold, an army with horses and chariots
tells about tzaddikim who were able to revive the dead. Is there any surrounded the city. [Elisha’s] attendant said to him:
change of nature greater than that? “Oh, my master, what shall we do?”
In truth, every Jew can change nature with his prayer. “Every He said: “Do not be afraid, because those who are with
individual of Israel has the level of ‘the righteous man rules’…. As us are more numerous than those who are with them.”
the verse states, ‘Your people are all righteous’ (Isaiah 60:21). That
is the meaning of the verse, ‘Israel is His governance’ (Psalms 114:2). Elisha prayed and said: “Hashem, please open his eyes
That is to say, who rules over Me? The righteous man” (Likutei
Moharan 34). so that he will see.” Hashem opened the eyes of the
youth and he saw and behold, the mountain was filled
It is not only that every Jew can change nature, but it is the will with horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.
of Hashem that the people of Israel will rule with their prayer, and
in this way draw abundance into the world. This is because, when The attendant did not initially see this great army of Elisha,
they implement prayer and thus rule in the world, the sovereignty because it was not a material army but a spiritual army of angels
of Hashem is revealed and expands. who accompanied and shielded the prophet Elisha. Only when
Elisha prayed did Hashem gave the attendant the spiritual sight to
In accordance with this, we may say: Do you truly want to see the angels. The end of the story is that the “weak” prophet
change? Know that this means that in essence you want to change Elisha alone took this entire great army into captivity to the city of
your human nature: “A person’s spirit [naturally] craves and Shomron. There they were given food and sent away. There was
desires thievery and forbidden relations” (Makkot, Chapter 3). When no need to kill them, because they understood that they could not
you pray, you can change nature. You can nullify all of your evil capture this man of God.
drives, and fervently desire Hashem, so that all of the impulses and
desires of your heart will be directed only toward Hashem. And so, According to the Maharsha, whoever strengthens himself and
if you have cravings and overpowering addictions, evil traits and the increases his power of intent creates many angels of intent that
like, know that you have a way of nullifying all of this and leave it surround and accompany him, and with their power he can act and
all behind with prayer, because according to the spiritual laws the accomplish without fear, because they guard him and guide him.
way to change nature is to engage in prayer.
They Sanctify You from Above
Third Law: When a Person Prays at Length, His
Prayer Is Certainly Accepted We find a similar explanation offered by the Ritva, one of the
rishonim. The Gemara states (Yoma 38b):
We must know that it is impossible to receive anything without
prayer! That is one of the laws of creation, as expressed in the book Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of the verse,
Da’at Torah (by Rabbi Yerucham Leibovitz of Mir: Bereishit): “If [a person goes] in the direction of scoffing, there will
be scoffing; [if he goes] to humility, he evokes grace”
This is a principle in all Creation: that nothing is given (Proverbs 6:34)? [It means that] if a person comes to defile
without prayer. And that is indeed a new insight and himself, they provide an opening for him. If a person
a great revelation regarding the topic of prayer…. We comes to purify himself, they assist him….
