אות - רלח

The Rebbe was once speaking to one of his followers. In the midst of their conversation, they heard someone reciting the evening Ma'ariv prayer. He was up to “ Hashkivenu ” and was saying very quickly, “ Vetakneinu be'eitzah tovah milfanekha – And remedy us with good counsel from before You.”

The Rebbe said to his follower, “See how this man is saying, ‘Remedy us with good counsel,’ running through the words. Doesn’t he realize that he must say these words with great emotion and feeling from the very depths of his heart? This is a most precious prayer. You must always beg that God have mercy and grant us good counsel and advice, that we may be worthy of knowing what is right” (see “ His Wisdom ” #52) .

If you truly want to serve God, you must understand this well. Plead before God and ask that you be worthy of His good counsel.

The Rebbe himself said, “When the day begins, I surrender my every movement to God. I ask that every motion I may make be as God would want it. I ask the same for all my children and other dependants. On Shabbat and festivals, I also surrender the entire day to God, praying that every action be as God’s would wish. Then as things occur that day – or that Shabbat – I am not disturbed that my observance might not be proper” (cf. “ His Wisdom ” #2) . Understand this.