אות - עד

Sometimes your prayers may be devoid of enthusiasm. At such times, you must compel your emotions and make your heart burn with the words.

Sometimes a person rouses himself and actually makes himself angry. As people say, “ Er schnitzt zich ein roigez – He creates his own anger” (cf. Tzaddik #196) .

You must do the same during prayer. Be like the man who makes himself angry. Work yourself up and bring heat and a flaming heart into your prayers. The enthusiasm may be forced at first, but eventually it will become real. Your heart will burst aflame with God’s praise, and you will be worthy of praying with passion.

You can make yourself happy in the same way, particularly during your prayers. Pray with great joy, even if this happiness is forced. Happiness is always a virtue, but it is especially so during prayer ( Likutey Moharan I, 282) .

If you are disturbed and unhappy, you can at least put on a happy front. Deep down, you may be depressed, but if you act happy, you will eventually be worthy of true joy.

This is true of every holy thing. If you have no enthusiasm, put on a front. Act enthusiastic and the feeling will eventually become genuine. Understand this well.