24 Sep WHY DAVEN IF EVERYTHING IS DECREED ON ROSH HASHANAH?

Everything that
will take place this
year was already
decreed on Rosh
Hashanah, so why
daven? There are
many different
approaches to
answer this question,
and many of them
are based on material that was discussed
in the preceding chapters. The main idea
we will discuss here is that tefillah has
the ability to change what was decreed
on Rosh Hashanah.
Changing the Decree
Although Hashem decrees what will
happen throughout the year, tefillah is a
connection to Hashem that one gets even
if he is not making a request. Furthermore,
just because Hashem decreed that we
should get something, this does not mean
we will get it if we don’t ask for it. If it
was decreed, for example, that we should
have rain, it is possible that it will come
at the wrong time unless we daven that it
should come at the right time.
The following scenario can explain this
concept: When a person opens a bank
account, the only way to withdraw a large
sum of money is with the approval of a
bank manager. Once he gets permission,
he will receive the amount of money
he wants to withdraw. Davening is the
“money” we receive, but if we don’t ask
for it, we won’t get it. Although the money
is in the “account” from when Hashem
decrees it on Rosh Hashanah, there is no
way to access it without asking Hashem
for permission and davening for it.
In the tefillos of the Yamim Nora’im, we
say that through teshuvah, tefillah, and
tzedakah, the decree can change. The
Zoharsays that if a person pours out tears
before Hashem, even if there is a decree
for punishment, it is ripped up. The
Gemara says that screaming in tefillah
is beautiful before and after the decree is
determined. Tosfas says that the decree
of the tzibbur can be ripped up.
Others say that we are all born with a
certain mazel that determines whether we
will be smart, tall, short, experience pain,
and so on. Every person must experience
certain things as part of his lot in life. In

addition, a person can be punished for
things he did. Although we know that
everything is for the best, we still daven
that tribulations should end. Isn’t this a
contradiction?
When we daven, it’s in order to change
the punishment but not the mazel.
Davening can make the punishment go
away, but it won’t change one’s mazel.
A Sword Resting on One’s Throat
The Gemara says that even if a sword
is resting on one’s throat, he should not
refrain from asking for mercy. Even if
one is told in a dream that tomorrow he
will die, he should not stop asking for
mercy. This is different than the Gemara
mentioned above that since a dream is
part of nevuah, in essence the decree was
set. Yet still, one should daven.
The Me’iri says that even if a decree is
set on Rosh Hashanah, it can be annulled
through teshuvah. If an individual is in
trouble and needs help, he can daven
even though his future may have already
been decided. The Steipler Gaon says
that human action and segulos will
not change what was decreed on Rosh
Hashanah. Only tefillah and teshuvah can
change the decree.
Yitzchak Avinu had to daven in such a
way that he could “break” nature in order
that Rivkah should conceive. From here
we see that tefillah can change even that
which was decreed, and we must do our
part to daven.
The pasuk says that Yaakov Avinu took
sword and bow. Targum Onkelos says that
this refers to different methods of tefillah.
Why didn’t the pasuk simply enumerate
the different methods of tefillah? The
Torah is teaching us a lesson: the only
method we have to fight off an enemy,
whether physical or spiritual, is tefillah.
Judged Each Day
The Tzidkas Hatzaddik says that although
we know that what is decreed for us that
year is set on Rosh Hashanah and sealed
on Yom Kippur, in order for the good
part of the gezeirah to be implemented,
one must daven each day. Otherwise, one
will not get what he asked for on Rosh
Hashanah. In a way, davening is the way
we do our part. In addition, although a
decree is issued on Rosh Hashanah, there

is an opinion that one is
judged each day. Because
of this, we must daven
every day. By doing so,
one can rip up the decree
that was set on Rosh
Hashanah.
Three Kinds of Decrees
The Pele Yoetz says that
there are three types of
decrees. One type of
decree cannot be helped
by tefillah, which means
that even after one does
everything he can to get
rid of it, it still remains. Another decree is
meant for a short time and will be taken
away even without tefillah. The third
decree is set and will only be rescinded if
one davens that it should be taken away.
One should therefore view himself as
being in this third category. He should
always daven, especially since most
decrees fall into this category.
Why Daven if Some People Have
Everything without Davening?
A common difficulty people have with
davening is seeing others who may
not be the best daveners being blessed
with wealth, health, and nachas. If this
person doesn’t daven properly but has
everything, why should we make an
effort to daven?
The first thing to remember is that Hashem
has His ways. Just because other people
get what they need without davening
does not mean we should be doing this
as well. In addition, the main purpose of
davening is the connection with Hashem.
A person who does not daven and still
has what he needs is missing out on the
most important relationship in his life.
It’s also possible that the merits of this
person are minimized because his needs
are granted without him asking for them.
Furthermore, no one can know what goes
on behind closed doors. It’s impossible to
know what pain one may be experiencing
even if he looks like everything is fine.
As mentioned above, Hashem desires
our tefillos. If everyone who davened
well got what they needed, and all those
who did not daven did not get what they
needed, there would be no test for us
to daven. Therefore, Hashem may give

things to people who do not daven as
a way to test others to see if they will
daven. Furthermore, other people may
be davening for those who do not daven,
and this may be the cause of the good that
these individuals receive.
When people receive a livelihood without
asking for it through tefillah, they are like
animals being fed by Hashem. They lack
a relationship with Hashem and are no
different than a young child who is fed
without asking for it. There is no reason
to be jealous of such people. We have the
ability to ask and beseech from Hashem
and build a constant relationship with Him.
What a zechus!