When it comes to mitzvos, we nearly always deflect the question of "so what do we get out of it?" At a very basic (and, as it turns out, a very deep) level, the answer is simple: What kind of question is that!? In the first place, HaShem brought you into and continually sustains your existence. That in itself is enough to require us to do whatever He asks. For us Jews, though, there is also the fact that He asked if we wanted the Torah and we enthusiastically affirmed that we wanted the Torah and would do our utter best to fulfill all of its mandates. Finished.
But prayer seems different. After all, it is framed as a series of requests. If HaShem wants me to ask for stuff, isn't it reasonable to for me to get that stuff? If I have no expectation of my prayers being answered, then the whole exercise turns into a quite sterile recitation of words. Moreover, the halacha (see TftD on intent in prayer) tells me that my attitude during prayer is as a petitioner standing before the King. This is not a game and those are not just empty words; therefore I have a right -- even a responsibility -- to expect some sort of answer.
As usual, let's start with the examples the Torah has given us. We are introduced to the fact that Avraham Avinu established shacharis with the story of Avraham praying to save the people of S'dom. The people of S'dom were not saved. Yitzchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu prayed to have children for 20 years. The Torah tells us that the prayers of Yitchak Avinu were answered. Chazal accentuate that it HaShem granted them children as a result of Yitzchak Avinu's prayers, not Rivka Imeinu's. Moshe Rabbeinu entreated HaShem with 515 prayers to be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. HaShem finally told him that it was time to stop praying; as he was not going to be granted entry to the land.
They tell the story of a chasid who went crying to his rebbi. He had prayed fervently to HaShem, but.. ער ענטפֿערט נישט/He didn't answer! The rebbi answered back: My dear chasid, you misunderstand, !ער ענטפֿערט; נישט/He answered: No.
What's going on? We can answer with a simple example of something every parent has done. A child is almost ready to walk. What do we do? We hold out our hands invitingly. The baby reaches out... we back away; the baby stands up and reaches a bit further; we back away; the baby takes a step or two or three or... run! And we gather him into are arms to cover his with kisses and hugs.
Our purpose of being placed in this world is to build a relationship with HaShem. There is, in fact, no other reason for this world to exist nor for us to be here at all. How do we build a relationship with HaShem? We pray. Part of being in the world is having needs and desires... which motivates us to pray. Avraham Avinu used even the opportunity to find any merit for the wicked city of S'dom as an excuse to pray. Why were Yitchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu granted children because of Yitzchak Avinu's prayers? Because Rivka Imeinu had come so far from the evil environment into which she had been born that her prayers themselves strengthened her relationship with HaShem more than having the children that she so fervently desired. Moshe Rabbeinu was able to achieve the pinnacle of spiritual achievement that is possible in this world with his final 515 prayers.
You want to see with clarity that your prayers are answered? The Sefer Chasidim (paragraph 131) says, and R' Fuerst brought as halacha: If a person prays with all his heart for spiritual goals, then -- even though he has no good deeds to his credit -- he will be answered. Go for it!
But prayer seems different. After all, it is framed as a series of requests. If HaShem wants me to ask for stuff, isn't it reasonable to for me to get that stuff? If I have no expectation of my prayers being answered, then the whole exercise turns into a quite sterile recitation of words. Moreover, the halacha (see TftD on intent in prayer) tells me that my attitude during prayer is as a petitioner standing before the King. This is not a game and those are not just empty words; therefore I have a right -- even a responsibility -- to expect some sort of answer.
As usual, let's start with the examples the Torah has given us. We are introduced to the fact that Avraham Avinu established shacharis with the story of Avraham praying to save the people of S'dom. The people of S'dom were not saved. Yitzchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu prayed to have children for 20 years. The Torah tells us that the prayers of Yitchak Avinu were answered. Chazal accentuate that it HaShem granted them children as a result of Yitzchak Avinu's prayers, not Rivka Imeinu's. Moshe Rabbeinu entreated HaShem with 515 prayers to be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. HaShem finally told him that it was time to stop praying; as he was not going to be granted entry to the land.
They tell the story of a chasid who went crying to his rebbi. He had prayed fervently to HaShem, but.. ער ענטפֿערט נישט/He didn't answer! The rebbi answered back: My dear chasid, you misunderstand, !ער ענטפֿערט; נישט/He answered: No.
What's going on? We can answer with a simple example of something every parent has done. A child is almost ready to walk. What do we do? We hold out our hands invitingly. The baby reaches out... we back away; the baby stands up and reaches a bit further; we back away; the baby takes a step or two or three or... run! And we gather him into are arms to cover his with kisses and hugs.
Our purpose of being placed in this world is to build a relationship with HaShem. There is, in fact, no other reason for this world to exist nor for us to be here at all. How do we build a relationship with HaShem? We pray. Part of being in the world is having needs and desires... which motivates us to pray. Avraham Avinu used even the opportunity to find any merit for the wicked city of S'dom as an excuse to pray. Why were Yitchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu granted children because of Yitzchak Avinu's prayers? Because Rivka Imeinu had come so far from the evil environment into which she had been born that her prayers themselves strengthened her relationship with HaShem more than having the children that she so fervently desired. Moshe Rabbeinu was able to achieve the pinnacle of spiritual achievement that is possible in this world with his final 515 prayers.
You want to see with clarity that your prayers are answered? The Sefer Chasidim (paragraph 131) says, and R' Fuerst brought as halacha: If a person prays with all his heart for spiritual goals, then -- even though he has no good deeds to his credit -- he will be answered. Go for it!
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