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Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 19:01:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Why Animal Sacrifices?

WackyAdam in Torah Forum Vol 4 Number 87 states:
<  <  Chassidim and other mystics would probably argue with R'Hirsh.  Prayer is
an actual deed of cleaving to G-d, and one (probably in the last 500 years)
source says that, in our time, the most important way to serve G-d is
prayer.  Prayer to mystics is devotional, intellectual, meditational.>  >

I would simply answer Adam. Chasidus maintains that SINCERE PRAYER is
devotional, intellectual meditational. INSINCERE PRAYER is meaningless.

But SINCERE PRAYER means NON HYPOCRITICAL prayer--your actions and prayers
are the same. It immediately follows that SINCERE PRAYER is only meaningful
when we go out and practice the good deeds and kind ways that we prayed to
have afterwards. But then Chasidus and Rav Hirsch are agreeing that prayer
is only a MEANS to ACTIVITY afterwards.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; RJHendel@Juno.Com
Moderator Rashi Is Simple;  http://www.shamash.org/rashi/