אות - עה

The Rebbe often spoke with us about prayer. He constantly told us to force ourselves to pray with devotion, strongly binding our thoughts to each word and listening very carefully to the words we are saying.

The Rebbe had told many of his disciples to study the Kabbalistic writings of the Ari. But even these disciples were not advised to follow the Kabbalistic devotions during prayer found in these works (see Likutey Moharan II, 120) .

He said that perfect prayer is the plain meaning of such words as “ Barukh Atah HaShem — Blessed are You, God.” Devotion is concentrating on the meaning of the words and listening to them carefully.

The Rebbe would ridicule those who said that one should not force himself to pray. He advised us very strongly to pray with all our might, putting all our strength into each letter of the service (see “ His Wisdom ” #66) .

He also instructed us to ignore all disturbing thoughts during prayer. His advice was that we merely pray correctly, disregarding all distractions. He said we should turn our minds away from all such thoughts completely (see “ His Wisdom ” #72) .

The Rebbe also said that it may be impossible to go through the entire service with proper devotion. Still, each person can say a small portion with true feeling. We see this all the time. One person might have deep feelings while saying the Ketoret , the prayers in place of the incense offering. Another may pray best during the Pesukey DeZimrah , the opening Psalms.

I (Reb Noson) once saw a lesson regarding this in the Rebbe’s writings. It was never copied, 107 A number of the Rebbe's writings were destroyed at his express command. There was the Sefer HaNisraf ("The Burned Book"), which he ordered R' Shimon to burn shortly before Pesach 5568/1808 while he was convalescing in Lemberg ( Tzaddik #66; Yemey Moharnat #26). There was also a chest of unpublished manuscripts which he ordered R' Shimon and R' Naftali to burn immediately after his passing ( Yemey Moharnat #59). and I can only report what I remember.

The Tikkuney Zohar (#18) states that there are masters of the hands and masters of the feet.

The human body has a transcendental counterpart, and each of its limbs corresponds to a portion of the service. Each person is also associated with a particular limb. When he comes to the part of the service pertaining to his limb, he is aroused to great devotion. You may sometimes pray with great devotion. But then the feeling departs and the words begin to seem empty. Do not be discouraged (, for you have merely left your area in the transcendental form). Continue the service, saying each word in absolute simplicity.

Sometimes you will try very hard and still not be able to pray. But never become discouraged. This is the most important rule of all.

Force yourself to say each word of the service. Make believe that you are a child just learning to read, and simply say the words.

In most cases, God will then touch your heart with a flame and it will be aroused to pray with feeling. Just do not make a test of this.

For deep inside, you are very far from prayer. Prayer is very high. It is even above the study of Torah. How can you be worthy of serving God in such a lofty manner?

Do your part. Simply begin the words of the service: “ Adon Olom Asher Malakh — Lord of the world, Who reigned ….”

Listen to every word you say. Concentrate and do not let your thoughts stray. Simply keep your mind on the words of the service.

Follow the order of the service even without feeling. Continue word by word, page by page, until God helps you to achieve a feeling of devotion. And even if you complete the entire service without feeling, it is not the end. You can still say a Psalm. There are other prayers to be said (cf. Tzaddik #508) .

In general, you must force yourself to do every holy task with all your might. This is especially true of prayer. But if you are not worthy of achieving this, it is still forbidden to become discouraged. Be strong and cheer yourself as much as possible.

This is discussed widely in the Rebbe’s published works ( Likutey Moharan II, 48; see “ His Wisdom ” #120) .

Pray in happiness, with a joyful tune.

Put yourself into a cheerful mood before you begin your worship.

Seek out your good points, using them to bring joy to your prayers. This is discussed in Likutey Moharan on the verse, “I will sing to God while I exist” (Psalms 146:2; see Likutey Moharan I, 282) .

The Rebbe’s teachings regarding prayer are very extensive and can only be outlined here. If you are intelligent, you will understand the main points. Ponder them well, for they contain awesome advice and are full of truth and sincerity.

Look further in the Rebbe’s lessons on the verses, “The deeps, they covered them” (Exodus 15:5) and, “Make a light for the ark” (Genesis 6:16) , appearing in Likutey Moharan I, 9 and I, 112, respectively. 108 These lessons have been compiled in an English-language publication with full commentary under the title, Tsohar , by Breslov Research Institute. Open your eyes and contemplate these lessons well. 109 Both these lessons were given during the winter of 5563/1802-1803. Lesson 112 was delivered at the beginning of the winter, while Lesson 9 was revealed on Shabbat Shirah , 13 Shevat (January 8, 1803) ( Tzaddik #129). In these lessons, the Rebbe says that the main thing is truth.

You may be distracted during your devotions, but grasp onto truth. No matter what your level, you can speak the simple truth in your prayers.

Consider the Rebbe’s words and you will certainly be worthy of true prayer. It is an important rule in all devotion. The Tikkuney Zohar (#21, 44b) speaks of “hands writing secrets” (cf. Likutey Moharan II, 7:10) .

We once heard that the Rebbe said these are the motions one makes during prayer.