Sacred Time Sivan #4
Prayer Of All Prayers
The Sefer Yetzirah reveals that the astrological sign for the month of Sivan is the twins. The two breads that were brought as an offering in the Beit Hamikdash on Shavuot symbolize the “twin-nature” of Torah and prayer, which work together as a harmonious whole.
Rebbe Nachman, z”l, explains that there is a kind of prayer which is subordinate to Torah and another that transcends it. Prayer for the physical amenities that are needed so that we can learn and fulfill Torah is subordinate to it–they are means to the end, which is Torah in this case. But there is a higher aspect of prayer: prayer to fulfill that which we learn, to absorb and integrate and carry out the Torah.
The more one beseeches Hashem to fulfill what one learns, the more success will be realized. King David wrote the five books of Psalms to correspond to the five books of the Torah that were revealed to Moshe. The Psalms are King David’s personal hitbodedut, the expression of his yearning to fulfill each book. Reb Nosson, z”l, wrote Likutei Tefilot, a compendium of prayers based on Rebbe Nachman’s lessons for the same reason.
It is very easy to follow this example ourselves. When we hear or see something inspiring or challenging, we need only pray to fulfill it practically in our daily lives. These prayers are eternal. Reb Nosson clarifies that even when one is not yet holding by fulfilling what he should, one’s prayers expressing the “willingness to be willing” are still very precious to Hashem. Eventually we will merit to see our prayers reach fruition.
