01 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!