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Thought for the Day: How Your Davening Identifies You with the Olam HaBah Community

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.

This is a very free translation, but I don't know how to make it more accurate. There are so many questions on this statement, but let's just explore a couple to which I found an explanation.

  • What does תפילה have to do with גאולה; in particular, the redemption from Egypt?
  • Our תפילה is mostly asking for things we need in this world -- health, wealth, security, national homeland, etc. Why does asking for those things identify us with Olam Habah?

The מעדני יום טוב on the רא''ש brings two complementary explanations.

The first approach comes from contemplating why HaShem redeemed us from the bondage of Mitzrayim. Extolling HaShem for the redemption brings me to the realization that we were released forever from any and all earthly subjugation in order to be free to serve the Creator exclusively. "Service to the Creator" means first and foremost the Temple service. Nowadays that we don't have the Temple -- may it be rebuilt soon and in our days -- תפילה stands in its place. According to this explanation, the content of the תפילה is not my concern. Once I recognize that my whole existence is to serve the Creator and then actualize that realization with the ordained service, then I am living an Olam HaBah life.

The other approach comes from contemplating how I can best fulfill my obligations to the Creator. As one reviews the redemption from Egypt, it becomes more and more clear that there were no "natural forces" at work here. The entire redemption makes clear that HaShem runs the world down to the most minute details. When I immediately turn to HaShem for all of my needs, I actualize my אמונה ובטחון/faith in and reliance on HaShem for literally everything. From the loftiest spiritual aspirations to the tiniest details of my physical needs, I look to only one source; the One Source.

Interestingly, the Ramchal in Derech HaShem says that all mitzvos themselves have both these aspects. On the one hand, each mitzvah is a vital "nutrient" for my existence. On the other hand, doing each mitzah because it was commanded by the Creator is also a vital "nutrient" for my existence.

See you on the other side, בעזרת השם.

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