Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 13:11:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Praying To End A Tzara

Both Rabbi Feldman and Ariel Tal answer Ester in Bais Medrash v2n25.

Esther <  tziona@aol.com>   wrote:
<  <  I recently heard Rabbi Frand's tape on  TZADDICK VRA LO . In it he
describes difficult times as opportunities to become closer to Hashem and
that all that happens is for our ultimate benefit. This being true, is it
proper for one to daven to end a particular hardship? It would seem that
this is detrimental. Wouldn't it show a lack of bitachon?>  >

Feldman and Tal both basically say that the >  opportunity to become closer
to hashem<   may manifest itself by ourselves praying. I would just like to
bring 1-2 further supports for this.

1st A well known Midrash states that King Chizkiyahu almost became Messiah.
The reason he didn't is because he didn't pray when he was in trouble. In
other words had Chizkiyahu read Bais-Medrash and listened to Rabbi Frand he
would have known that (a) difficult times are opportunities to become
closer to G-d (Rabbi Frand) and (b) one of the ways one becomes closer to
G-d is thru prayer to end the difficult times (Feldman and Tal). He could
have become Messiah!

A second support comes from Rabbi Hirsh's commentary on Gn04-07.Rabbi
Hirsch cites the Midrash that Satan entices man to sin but if man does sin
Satan goes up to heaven to complain.

In the past I have explained Rabbi Hirsch with an analogy of running: It is
better to practice running up a hill (which is more stressful) than running
on sidewalk. The reason is that a stressful practice increases muscle
capability. Using moosar language we would say that a jogger should
perceive a >  difficult running course (like a hill)<   as an opportunity to
improve his muscles.

Rav Hirsch's analogy is that  >  difficult times in life<   increase our
spiritual muscles. For example the type of prayer I do when I am out of a
job is  >  different<    then the type of prayer when I am in a job. Thus the
prayer increases my skills and capabilities of prayer.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
Moderator Rashi is Simple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com

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