The Point of Truth within the Truth
Hashem sends a myriad of messages to us every day. Some are designed to stimulate teshuva for a particular misdeed. Others are aimed at...
The Point of Truth within the Truth
Proper personal prayer requires a point of truth. For example, when we seek a solution to – or salvation from – a problem or deficiency, we must first pray for emuna. That way, we can believe that all of life’s difficulties come from Hashem and are His will. We should know that Hashem does nothing at random, and that everything is precisely directed from above.
Afterwards, we should ask Hashem to help us believe that everything is for the very best – even the problems and deficiencies – in order to help us accomplish our mission in life. True, we all want to solve our problems quickly. But, the point of truth within the truth is that our problems are a personal message from Hashem, to facilitate our soul correction and the performance of our mission on earth. Therefore, we should ask Hashem to instill in us the desire to comprehend the underlying message of our problem, deficiency, or tribulation, rather than the desire to be rescued from it.
The point of truth within the truth of personal prayer is the desire to establish a connection with Hashem and to understand His messages. Complaints about those messages – which often manifest themselves as trials and tribulations – are tantamount to telling Hashem that one doesn’t want to listen to Him, Heaven forbid. “Go away, Hashem! I don’t want to listen to what You’re trying to tell me…” is the statement of the complainer. If getting closer to Hashem is truth, then distancing oneself from Hashem is the opposite.
The complainer forgets the important point; namely, that all his troubles are gifts from Hashem to bring him closer. Every trial and tribulation carries its own message. Hashem never punishes – He educates and communicates. If a person’s sole desire is to get rid of the trial or tribulation, then how will he learn what Hashem wants him to learn? What about all the enhanced tools – intellect, experience, and abilities – that Hashem wants to give by way of the trials and tribulations?
Hashem sends a myriad of messages to us every day. Some are designed to stimulate teshuva for a particular misdeed. Some are designed to lead a person to the performance of a given mitzvah. Still others are aimed at arousing us from our spiritual slumber so that we won’t stagnate.
So long as a person desires a quick solution to a problem, he or she won’t avoid a negative attitude toward Hashem. King Solomon said (Proverbs 13:12), “A drawn out hope brings sickness to the heart.” Simply hoping for a solution doesn’t solve a problem, and only brings a person to complain that Hashem isn’t answering his or her prayers. But, once a person understands Hashem’s message that’s concealed within the problem, then Hashem doesn’t need the problem anymore.
The Point of Truth at All Costs
Even if are not yet living the point of truth within the truth, and we’re not capable of personal prayer that’s directed at getting to know Hashem rather than at quick solutions either, we should still never surrender the point of truth, which is: “There is no one other than Hashem. I am null. There is no address for anything other than Hashem. Only Hashem can help me. Only Hashem knows what’s best for me. I have no idea what my soul came down to this earth for and what the challenges are that I must face. Only Hashem knows.”
When we truly evaluate ourselves, and realize how difficult it is to know what Hashem truly wants from us in our particular circumstance, then we should appeal to Hashem with this point of truth, and beg Him, asking: “Hashem, please have mercy on me. Teach me how to do Your will! I have no idea where I am in the world or where I should be going. Should I pray for a certain thing that’s not what I have in mind? What points in my character should I be working on? Where should I be more elaborate or specific in my prayers? Hashem, please direct me! Only You can lead me down the right path for me!”
This way, anyone can arrive at the type of earnest personal prayer that opens Heavenly doors. Such prayers – the prayers of a poor person in the doorway – are especially beautiful and unlock the true gates of salvation.
To be continued.
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