And Abraham Approached, part 1
Introducing a Course on the Art and Science of Prayer
Introduction:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could change the world through our prayers? If we could alter the very course of history with the power of our words, just as Father Abraham did when he boldly approached God to prompt a change of divine intent (see Genesis 18:23-33)?
In this course, I aim to teach you how to do just that.
In this new series, we will delve into the teachings of the Torah regarding prayer. Through this exploration, you will gain a deep understanding of how prayer functions, its significance, and the practical skills necessary to engage in it effectively.
I believe that an in-depth study of the Torah’s teachings on prayer will leave you with a great appreciation for this ancient art, and make you realize how the notion of prayer is both intuitive and profound. If there is one idea that you take away from this course, I hope it is this: That prayer works is no magic at all; what is magical is that man has the capacity to pray. For the supernatural man or woman of great spirit, prayer is the most natural act in the world.
Sources and Schedule:
This course is grounded in a rich array of Torah sources, including scriptural texts, Midrashic and Talmudic wisdom, and the timeless insights of sages throughout history. I will guide you through these materials to foster a deep understanding of prayer and its significance.
The course will be divided into sections, published bi-weekly. Simultaneously, publication of “Exile, Exodus and Redemption” will continue every other week.
Exploring Key Questions:
As we delve into the essence of prayer, we'll address some fundamental questions that may have crossed your mind:
Does prayer actually work?
How can my prayers make a difference?
What is the ultimate purpose of prayer?
Under what conditions is prayer most effective?
How do the prescribed texts of prayer connect to the essence of this sacred act?
What role does the congregation (minyan) play in the potency of prayer?
Throughout the course, we will address these questions comprehensively.
Topics to Explore:
Our study of this central Torah-subject will touch on a wide variety of topics, including:
Knowing Hashem: cultivating a personal relationship with the Divine.
The names of God and their significance in prayer.
The link between prophecy and prayer.
The Holy Tongue and the other languages.
How exile affected prayer.
The pivotal role of the Men of the Great Assembly and the structured text of prayer.
The significance of sacrificial worship and its association with prayer.
The ultimate aspiration of prayer: seeking peace (shalom).
I am honored to have you as a companion on this enlightening journey into the art and science of prayer. I deeply appreciate your feedback, whether through comments, likes or emails to jacoblightsfoundation@gmail.com.
To initiate our study, I’ll present you with two questions to ponder, one about the theory of prayer and the other about its apparent inefficacy:
How does prayer work – does God care what I think He should do?
Prayer seems not to work! If prayer were indeed effective, then why, despite millennia of prayer, have we not yet achieved world peace and redemption?
These questions aren’t new. The first question is expressed in these sources:
Either God has determined that a given person shall receive a given benefit, or He has not so determined. If He has determined, there is no need of prayer; and if He has not determined, how can prayer avail to change God’s will that He should now determine to benefit the person, when He had not so determined before? (Sefer HaIkkarim)
If a person is worthy for Hashem to grant him the thing for which he prays, why wouldn’t He grant it to him without prayer? And if he isn’t worthy for it, if so, even if he prays and requests – would He grant it to him because of his prayer? (Nesivos Olam)
The second question, about prayer’s apparent inefficacy, is asked plainly in a midrash:
Why do the people of Israel pray in this world and not receive an answer? (Midrash Tehillim)
I leave you to ponder these timeless questions that will be addressed in our next segment.1
(For the next installment of "And Abraham Approached," click here.)
If you want to get a head start on this topic, you can listen to a lecture about prayer here, read an essay about it here, and see my book Oros Yaakov, pgs. 7-28. See here for the Midrash’s mystifying explanation why prayer is ineffective.