Tehillim 109 – A Prayer

Chassidut on Tehillim 109 – "But I am prayer"

Tehillim 109:4 - "Tachat ahavati yistenuni, va'ani tefilah!" – (For my love they hate me, but I am prayer!) One day, a complaint was brought before the Heavenly Court: most of the Children of Israel pray without proper devotion. A verdict was issued: let a king arise on earth who will forbid the Jews from praying. However, some of the angels challenged this decision. The souls of the tzadikim who dwell in Heaven were then consulted, and they agreed with the verdict. Only Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin disagreed. He shook the world with the power of his prayer and said: "I am prayer! I take upon myself the responsibility of praying for all of Israel." And the verdict was rescinded.