Page 428 - BERESHIT

we put ourselves into His Hands, and contemplate on the One Above
Whose influence reaches every creature below.

Specifically at night, the kelippah gains strength and the forces of tumah
coalesce to wield their power. The Yetzer Hara takes advantage of the
nighttime. He preys on man and entices him to sin. This takes extra energy
on our part not to spiritually stumble or fall. The rocks Yaakov Avinu
placed around his head symbolize the vigilance we need over our
thoughts, what we muse over and dream about. Yaakov turned to Hashem
to shield him from sinful thoughts and instituted tefillat Arvit, despite his
extreme fatigue. Every person needs the spiritual fortitude of prayer in
order to withstand the nisyonot which abound with the onset of night.

The word relates specifically to tefillat Arvit, as it is a

non-compulsory prayer. It is a fortuitous opportunity to take advantage of,

a time where a Jew can approach Hashem and show his great interest in

keeping that connection. One who puts effort into this voluntary tefillah

is assured Siyata di’Shemaya.

Chazal say that the night was created for the study of Torah. This would
indicate that learning Torah at night has a semi-compulsory status. Yaakov
Avinu saw a need to institute Arvit. Those who do not merit learning
Torah at night have its counterpart, tefillat Arvit, to protect them.