Last week, we started our discussion of the seventh bracha, R’eih v’anyeinu. We mentioned the opinion of Rashi who says the blessing refers to daily afflictions, a petition for redemption from present challenges rather than referring to the final redemption....
In the seventh bracha of the Shemone Esrei, we ask Hashem to notice our afflictions, fight our battles and redeem us for the sake of His Name. It seems that after asking Hashem for forgiveness in the sixth...
In last week’s article, we began an exploration of the connection between Megilas Rus and the yomtov of Shavuos. When we left off, we had just considered the famous dictum...
One of the special features of the wonderful Yom Tov of Shavuos is the reading of Megilas Rus. While it is a fascinating and delightful story, its linkage to the celebration of matan Torah, the giving of the...
After we pray for assistance to repent, we can now ask Hashem for forgiveness. It would be phony to petition for forgiveness before we show an attempt at repentance. Thus, we pray to Hashem, “Slach lonu Avinu, ki chatonu –...
In the fifth bracha of the Shemone Esrei, we ask Hashem, “Hashiveinu Avinu l’Sorosecha - Return us, Our Father, to Your Torah.” Since in the previous blessing we asked for knowledge, the first pursuit for which we want to...
The middle brachos of the Shemone Esrei are the petitions that we ask Hashem for the full gamut of our needs. The first petition, for knowledge, starts in a peculiar way. It is the only bracha of...
Shemone Esrei where we proclaim to Hashem that “You are Holy,” and conclude with blessing Hashem for being the “Almighty Who is Holy,” is somewhat peculiar. In all the ensuing blessings, we thank Hashem for gifts that He gives...
Last week, we spoke about the great opportunity to ask from Hashem for our needs on the night of the Seder. Rav Elya Dushnitzer said in a Shabbos HaGodol drasha that Mordechai HaTzaddik had an option to wait...
(We interrupt our series on tefilah to speak about Pesach.) At the end of Magid, the Hagaddah informs us of one of the mission statements of the Seder. “B’chol dor v’dor chi’yev adom liros es atsmo ki’ilu hu yatza...