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abundance and attain all spiritual levels. As Rabbi Yerucham says: Clear and Absolute Faith
“That is the matter regarding which our sages said, ‘We bring about
positive matters through meritorious people.’ What merit did they As we learned in the Gemara above, the difference between
have? They had the merit of making requests of Hashem. When the prayers of those who were answered and those who were
a person requests something good, it is impossible that his not answered is that those who were answered had the faith that
request will return empty. ‘If a person says to you, I toiled Hashem wants to save them. The same applies to the work of the
but I did not attain, do not believe him’ (Megillah 6b)” (Divrei will. The first topic of discussion must be our obligation to possess
Torah: Bamidbar). the clear and absolute faith that Hashem wants to rescue us and
save us spiritually even more than physically. Believe that Hashem
Similarly, it is written that in this era, following the destruction wants to save you spiritually even more than you yourself want to
of the Temple, a person’s outcry to Hashem for physical matters be saved, because “more than the calf wants to suckle, the cow
might not be answered. As the Gemara states: “From the day that wants to nurse” (Pesachim 112a). And since that is the principal
the Temple was destroyed, the gates of prayer were locked. As the element, I will expand on this theme and develop it.
verse states, ‘Even when I cry out and wail, my prayer is blocked’
(Lamentations 3:8)” (Berachot 32b). There exist spiritual barriers, as it We must know and review repeatedly the concept that Hashem
were, because of the state of the generation and the concealment wants every Jew, without exception, to succeed spiritually, not to
of God’s countenance. All of this is true only regarding our prayers stumble and commit any sin or slightest trace of a sin, to attain
for physical matters. But even at this time, our prayers for spiritual complete faith, to attain good and upright traits, to attain the
matters are answered. As Michtav Mei’eliyau writes in the name complete fear of heaven, to become holy and pure, separated from
of Rabbi Israel Salanter (Part 4, p. 77), “Even though, after the all cravings and from all matters of this world, to learn the Torah
destruction of the Temple, the gates of prayer were locked, it is and acquire knowledge of the Torah in depth and in breadth, and
known with certitude that there is still one type of prayer that is to reach the level of Moses.
answered at every time and in every situation: and that is
prayer for heaven’s help in spiritual matters.” And he writes as well And why does Hashem want to contribute to us, help us and
that this is the sole counsel that can help a person break open his save us in spiritual matters? It is because Hashem created us only
sealed heart. for this: to attain all spiritual levels. Therefore, know that when you
pray, you are not coming to “persuade” Hashem. Rather, know
He Wants to Reveal His Compassion that Hashem wants to give you more than you want to receive,
and the intent of all of your work is solely to build vessels in order
The deep meaning of all of this is that Hashem wants to reveal to receive, and this is the foundation of all of the work of the will.
His compassion. And to whom is His compassion revealed? It is Know that a lack of faith that Hashem wants to give all of this to
revealed to a person who does not deserve it, because a person you is a lack of faith in Hashem—and when there is a lack of faith,
who deserves it will receive good things justly, and not as a result of prayer is not effective.
Hashem’s compassion. Therefore, the lower a person is, the more
he can entreat Hashem, “I believe with complete faith that You Not only is this a lack in faith, but it demonstrates a lack of respect
want to help me as I am, even if I am the lowest of the low, because for Hashem. All of the cravings and all of the matters of this world
in my case Your compassion will be especially revealed. If You do are one large waste bin containing foolishness and vanity. Do you
not have compassion on me, that indicates that Your compassion is think that Hashem wants His son to live in a waste bin, to live like a
finite, heaven forbid, as though You are compassionate to everyone crazy person, heaven forbid? That is an insult to Hashem. Even the