When Prayer Is Not Enough
When Prayer Is Not Enough
When the Jewish people reached Yam Suf, and Pharaoh and his army drew near, Moshe began to cry out to G-d. And the Creator said to him: "Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Children of Israel to begin moving forward." (Shemot 14:15)
Rashi, in his commentary on this verse of the Torah, cites a Midrash stating that Moshe stood and prayed when the Creator told him that now, when the Jewish people were in danger, it was not a time for lengthy prayer.
Rabbi Chaim ben Attar — the "Or HaChaim HaKadosh" — begins his commentary on this verse with a question: "Why does the Creator say to Moshe, 'Why do you cry out to Me?'" To whom else should Moshe have cried out if not to the Creator, especially at such a moment? And if the Creator was rebuking Moshe for praying too long and too fervently, as Rashi writes, that too is difficult to understand. After all, as long as his prayer remains unanswered, he should continue to pray and plead.
And here the Or HaChaim teaches us a very important principle, especially for anyone who, G-d forbid, finds themselves in a difficult situation:
"As our Sages, of blessed memory, write, at that time the Jewish people were subject to the Attribute of Judgment. The accuser of the Jewish people said to the Creator: 'What is the difference between the Jews and the Egyptians? These are idol worshippers, and those are idol worshippers.' As is known, the power of the Attribute of Mercy depends on good deeds. If there are no such deeds, or not enough of them, this power cannot manifest itself. Thus, when the Creator saw that the Attribute of Judgment prevailed over the Attribute of Mercy, in order for Him to vindicate the Jewish people, it was necessary for them to perform some good deeds. Therefore, He said to Moshe, 'Why do you cry out to Me?'—meaning, 'This does not depend on Me at this moment.' I want to perform a miracle, but since the Jewish people do not deserve it, the Attribute of Judgment is preventing it. Therefore, tell the Jews that they must strengthen the Attribute of Mercy, and to do so, they must believe with all their hearts and begin crossing the sea before it splits. On the basis of this faith that I will perform a miracle for them, the Attribute of Mercy will prevail, and the miracle will indeed take place."
In other words, in order to arouse the Attribute of Mercy, the Jewish people had to take action. They had to enter the sea, believing with complete faith that the Creator would perform a miracle—and then the sea would split.
Or HaChaim teaches us that when a person has problems and troubles, and the Attribute of Judgment prevails over the Attribute of Mercy, it is not enough merely to pray and cry out to the Creator. It is necessary to immediately add the observance of mitzvot and the performance of good deeds, placing complete faith in the Creator and thereby giving the Attribute of Mercy the strength to prevail over the Attribute of Judgment. Only then is it possible for a person to merit salvation and miracles.
(based on an article by Asher Rochberger)
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Tags: Prayer, The Prayer of Moses, Or HaChaim HaKadosh, When the Power of Prayer Is Not Enough
