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This was how [the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov The more that a person increases his knowledge, because every salvation that we need is referred to in one place or
and Rabbi Meir] learned: they would review the text understanding and intelligence, the more liable he grows another in the siddur at least once. When you take note of these
of the Gemara, and then go from the Gemara to the to gain an exaggerated sense of independence. He makes places and invest a little extra time in them, you will engage in great
commentaries of the Tosafot and the Rishonim. When use of the intellect that Hashem gave him to develop an amounts of prayer, and you will bring about salvations.
they were unable to understand a topic, Avraham excess of independence. That is because a person and Rabbi Nachman once made a wonderful statement. Hearing a
Yaakov (one of the group) would turn to his two brilliant his knowledge are one. Accordingly, since he thinks that person who was reciting the evening prayer quickly say the words,
colleagues (the Chazon Ish and his brother, Rabbi Meir), he understands so well with his own mind, he is liable to “Rectify us with good counsel before You” (as, sadly, most people
and say with absolute seriousness: “Let us turn to disconnect himself, heaven forbid, from Hashem, Who recite the entire prayer), Rabbi Nachman told a student standing
Hashem. Let us plead with Him to illumine our eyes in is the One Who graciously grants knowledge—precisely next to him: “Do you see how he quickly says the words, ‘Rectify
His Torah!” because he received that knowledge from Hashem. [This us quickly with good counsel …’? We need to say these words
corresponds to our sages’ description of people who with great inspiration and very deep feeling from the depth
For a short while they would close the Gemara. The knew their Creator and rebelled against Him.] Therefore, of the heart. It is a very precious prayer, because we deeply
three of them picked up volumes of Psalms, and each the Men of the Great Assembly, [who composed the need to beseech Hashem, may He be blessed, for His
went to a corner and poured out his heart in whispering Shemoneh Esrei], saw that it would be proper to begin compassion so that Hashem, may He be blessed, will give
prayer to the One Who sits in the heights, reciting the [the supplicatory section] with the proclamation that us good counsel and we will know how to act…” (Sichot Haran
pleas of the pleasant singer of Israel with broken hearts “You graciously grant man knowledge and teach human 238).
and many tears, asking Him to be gracious to them and beings understanding” before we begin [the requests of One of my students told me that he was deeply inspired by
sharpen their minds so that they might understand the the Shemoneh Esrei]. This blessing requests knowledge this advice. Now, every time he is uncertain and seeks counsel,
words of a Rishon or an opinion in the Tosafot. After in order to implant in us the awareness that we are not he goes to a place where there are many congregations one after
they recited a few chapters of Psalms with deep and the masters of that knowledge. the other (such as shtieblech or the Kotel). He begins ma’ariv
stormy feeling, the three returned to the Gemara, and with one of the congregations, and at the words, “Rectify us with
with their eyes still tear-filled they told each other: “Let See what the gaon, Rabbi Meir Karelitz, told about good counsel before You,” he goes off to the side and recites it at
us study this difficult passage again. Perhaps God will his brother, the master, the Chazon Ish. The family was length—from a few minutes to an hour or more, in accordance with
reconsider and help us understand something!” And they not at all surprised that he became the great leader of the amount of time he has and the urgency of the topic. When this
began to review the material again and again, until the the generation and that he reached incredible peaks in time comes to an end, he easily finds another congregation with
secret hidden between the lines was revealed to them. Torah and in developing new paths in in-depth study. which to recite the Shemoneh Esrei. This is a wonderful idea that
That is because when he prayed the Shemoneh Esrei he can help everyone earn hours of intentions and prayers. Instead of
The brother of the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Meir, was one made sure to pray at length, and he spent an especially squandering and losing precious words and precious requests in the
of this holy group. When he would tell about this in his long time on the term “from Yourself” in the blessing of flow of prayer, everyone can spend an extra few minutes and build
himself a savings account of tens of thousands of prayers.
old age, he would add, “Now, in the evening of my life, “You graciously grant.” This is in contrast to others who
whenever I remember those days, my eyes brim over beseech Hashem, who are used to spending more time
with tears, and I cry and pray to taste such learning one requesting “knowledge, understanding and intelligence”
more time!” (or, in an alternative text of the Shemoneh Esrei,
“wisdom, understanding and knowledge”). A discerning
And the Chazon Ish engaged in another wondrous way to person will realize how truly awesome this attainment is.
approach to the blessing of “He Who graciously grants knowledge”
(Kovetz Chazon Avi, Essay 9):