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The Power ofPrayer

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The Power of Prayer

Much of what we know about prayer comes from Hannah, the

mother of the prophet Samuel. One rule of conduct is gleaned

from Hannah's curious statement to Eli, "I am the woman who

stood with you here, praying to God" (I Samuel 1:26). In fact, it

was only Hannah who stood in prayer. Why did she say "who

stood with you," indicating that the high priest was also standing?

The Sages inferred from Hannah's words the proper etiquette

when someone is praying nearby: "It is forbidden to sit within

four cubits (about six feet) of one who is praying" (Berachot

31b).

Why should one person's prayer require those nearby to stand?

And why do we not show similar demonstrations of respect for

someone learning Torah?

Emotional Impact

Unlike Torah study, when we serve God with the mind, prayer is a

service of the heart. With prayer we deepen our feelings of

holiness and our sense of closeness to God. One consequence

of this distinction between Torah and prayer is in their relative

impact on the immediate surroundings. Since we do not know

what other people are thinking, their thoughts do not affect us.

However, we are deeply affected by the emotions of others.

Even without words, we can sense their mood and feelings. It is

natural that a sensitive individual will be moved by the lofty

emotions of another's prayer, as he is overcome by an exalted

sense of Divine immediacy.

Since these feelings should impact all who are close by, it is

improper to sit within four cubits of one who is praying. By sitting

next to a person in prayer, we are declaring that we are

impervious to this emotional service of God. Such an attitude

goes against the nature of a heart that is sensitive to holy

sentiments.

At Attention

Why should we demonstrate our receptivity to another's prayer

by standing?

The power of prayer lies in its ability to strengthen our higher and

Rav Kook on The Power of Prayer http://www.ravkooktorah.org/TEFILA_68D.htm

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nobler emotions. Due to the close connection between emotions

and actions, prayer is able to have a greater impact on deeds

than intellectual efforts. Therefore it is proper to stand when near

a person praying, thus indicating that we are in a state of

attention and ready to act.

(Adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol, I pp. 27-28; Ein Eyah vol. I p.

137)

Tweet Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison

Rav Kook on The Power of Prayer http://www.ravkooktorah.org/TEFILA_68D.htm

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