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Thought for the Day: Davening as a Reaction/Response to the Redemption from Mitzrayim

You may remember this statement from Chazal that was discussed in a previous TftD:

Rebbi Yochanan (Brachos 4b) says: איזהו בן העולם הבא? זה הסומך גאולה לתפילה של ערבית/Who is identified with the Olam HaBah community? The one who davens ma'ariv in response to redemption.

There I discussed what I would consider to be the simple/plain understanding of R' Yochanan's statement. This time I would like to present my understanding of how Rashi learns this statement. "Wait!", you are thinking, "Isn't Rashi our go-to for simple/plain understanding?" Usually, but here Rashi seemed (to me) to take a deep dive into our whole perception of reality and how we should respond to it.

Rashi comments: 

מי שאינו סומך גאולה לתפלה למה הוא דומה לאוהבו של מלך שבא ודפק על פתחו של מלך יצא המלך ומצאו שהפליג אף הוא הפליג אלא יהיה אדם מקרב להקב"ה אליו ומרצהו בתשבחות וקלוסין של יציאת מצרים והוא מתקרב אליו ובעודו קרוב אליו יש לו לתבוע צרכיו

Here's my summary/explanation: The Yerushalmi (Brachos) says: What is a good analogy to understand someone who does not respond to redemption with prayer? It is like a good friend of the king who knocks on the palace door, but when the king opens the door, he finds that his friend has left. Rather, a person should bring HaShem close with exuberant praise of the miraculous redemption from Mitzrayim. Then while HaShem is still close, he should לתבוע צרכיו/claim his needs.

Strange, no? It seems almost self-serving to bring HaShem close just to ask for my needs. Also, Rashi goes straight from "redemption from Mitzrayim" to "claiming my needs." What happened to the praise/request/gratitude formula that we all know and love about Shmone Esrei? Then there's that word "לתבוע", which is very strong. Google translates it as: sue/claim/demand. (I am choosing to use "claim", as used in the legal sense: to demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.) Finally, what's with that introduction: and if you don't immediately make your claim, then you are playing games with the King's emotions.

Here's my attempt to explain what Rashi means:

What does it mean to "bring HaShem close"? There is no place for HaShem in the world, the world has a place/existence only in HaShem. So "bringing HaShem close" means to align my perceptions and attitudes with HaShem, who is the Place of the world. The redemption from Mitzrayim was the most open and clear expression of that reality. As I examine that event with exuberant praise and wonder, I realize the precision and loving care that HaShem expressed to us in that whole series of events. I don't just want to respond in kind as much as I am able, I actually need to respond and react. What is the first thing I need? A people whose national mission is to serve HaShem -- that is the first bracha of the Shmone Esrei. A nation built by the Avos and founded on chesed. Next I need strength and discipline to achieve as much as possible; that is the second bracha. Then I need to fully understand that I, as a creation, can never really understand the Creator. Whatever concept you have of "beyond your understanding, He is beyond that; which is k'dusha. Now I can proceed with the rest of my needs.  Please see this TftD: The Order of the Brachos of Shmone Esrei.

Not really on topic, but please do note that the last bracha of Shmone Esrei -- the pinnacle of our claims -- is for שלום, the container for all bracha. A very palpable need these days.

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