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when] they cry out, Hashem hears.” The holy must feel like a poor person at the door, but that does not contradict Meeting Hashem
books state that the simple meaning of this is that the fact that his prayer must be piercing and uncompromising, and
when these people who do evil cry out to Hashem, include every expression of stubborn insistence. This entire chapter is discussing wholeness of faith. Faith means
may He be blessed, Hashem hears and rescues recognizing Hashem. Do not view Hashem as some being who
While on the topic of Moses’ prayer, we must know that Moses
them from all of their troubles. Similarly, our rabbis, prayed with utter devotion. He stood stubbornly and asked for places overwhelming demands on you, who tests you and seeks
of blessed memory, state that “it is a good thing for life and not for death. Whenever Moses prayed, he did not wait ways to make you fail, heaven forbid. Rather, you must attain the
a person to cry out [to Hashem], whether before the to hear “no.” He prayed stubbornly until he would hear “yes.” recognition and strong intuition that Hashem is only waiting to
heavenly decree of judgment against him or after the Therefore, he told the Holy One, blessed be He, “If not, wipe me help and save you spiritually. The more we proceed on the path
of strong prayer, the more we truly recognize Hashem, because we
heavenly decree of judgment.” Countless texts explain out now” (Exodus 32:32). That is to say, “either accept my prayer recognize His infinite compassion and love—which He, as it were,
that this describes the tremendous benefit of crying out or kill me.” That is not just a prayer. That is utter devotion. He requires of Himself in order to help all those who turn to Him for 9
to Hashem, may He be blessed, under all circumstances— told Hashem, “Without this salvation, nothing interests me, my life their physical needs and, even more, for their spiritual needs, the
no matter how low a person may be. This may be has no importance whatsoever!” without this salvation!” Therefore, latter being His entire will. Hashem wants us to succeed, because
seen in the psalm that we recite on Friday afternoon Moses’ prayer could nullify every decree. our victory is His victory.
(Psalms 107): “They went astray in the wilderness … and Thus, a unique expression is used to describe Moses’ prayer: “I
they cried out…. Those who dwell in darkness and the fell before Hashem” (Deuteronomy 9:18). In the middle of his prayer, Therefore, we may recite such especially strong prayers for
shadow of death, prisoners of affliction and iron…, they he threw himself to the ground with tremendous stubbornness, like spiritual matters, but not for physical matters. There is, however,
cried out…. Fools because of the way of their sin…, they a child who, if his parents do not give him what he asks for, is an exception: something that is literally a matter of life and death,
such as a deadly disease. Then clearly all secondary issues are set
cried out…. Those who go down to the sea … rose up ready to throw himself to the floor, beat his head, kick his feet aside and we take all steps necessary for healing. The truth is that
to the sky, they descended into the depths…, and they and punch the floor until he gets what he wants. Moses possessed there is nothing more spiritual than life itself. A person comes
cried out….” The entire psalm speaks about all of uncompromising stubbornness because he believed that Hashem to the gate of death because of his sins. If he dies, he will die
the descents and ascents experienced by those who wants to give to people and to save them. Therefore, he paid without repentance and without having gained rectification. When
want to come close to Hashem, may He be blessed no attention to any obstacle. The midrash describes this vividly: he asks for life, he is asking for the chance to repent, to rectify
(as is known, and as I have explained elsewhere). And “There was not one corner of the firmament that Moses did not matters and to continue serving Hashem. And that is certainly what
the general advice regarding all kinds of confusions, crash into.” Hashem wants. At any rate, when a person prays regarding every
impediments, temptations, and so forth, is all expressed We see here that there is no contradiction between pleading problem and every illness, he must express a great deal of thanks
in the words, “They cried out to Hashem in their trouble for Hashem’s compassion and strong insistence. And there is an and proceed in accordance with the principles of faith, thinking,
that He may rescue them from their straits.” When a additional reason that a person should cry out with all his strength “This is what Hashem wants; everything is for the good,” and then
person cries out to Hashem, may He be blessed, about and demand salvation immediately, and even tell Hashem, “You he must search for the lesson that Hashem wants to teach him with
this situation.
his great distance from Hashem, he draws onto himself must save me.” When a person feels that committing a sin puts him
the level of the holiness of Yom Kippur, which is the in mortal danger, he feels that he is hanging by his hands from a Encourage Yourself
level of teshuvah…. Understand well in practical terms wall, and he does not want to live unless Hashem saves him. Such a
how good it is for a person to always cry out and never person can demand of Hashem with all his might, “You must rescue In the spiritual realm as well, when a person cries out in a fitting
despair of crying out all the days of his life, no matter me, because otherwise in another second there won’t be anyone way to Hashem to save his life, he must certainly begin with a great
what he undergoes. left to rescue.” And he can present strong arguments to Hashem:
“If You do not rescue me, I will continue to sin, heaven forbid, deal of joy and he must thank Hashem for inspiring him to do the
The principal idea is that an outcry is an expression of perfect and that is certainly against Your will. Therefore, You must have work of the will. That is because when a person has a broken heart
compassion on me, and save me and rescue me this very moment!” he can easily become depressed, which is very harmful to serving