By Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits
Everything that will take place this year was already decreed on Rosh Hashanah, so why daven?
There are many different approaches to answer this question, and many of them are based on material that was discussed in the preceding chapters. The main idea we will discuss here is that tefillah has the ability to change what was decreed on Rosh Hashanah.
Changing the Decree
Although Hashem decrees what will happen throughout the year, tefillah is a connection to Hashem that one gets even if he is not making a request. Furthermore, just because Hashem decreed that we should get something, this does not mean we will get it if we don’t ask for it. If it was decreed, for example, that we should have rain, it is possible that it will come at the wrong time unless we daven that it should come at the right time. The following scenario can explain this concept: When a person opens a bank account, the only way to withdraw a large sum of money is with the approval of a bank manager. Once he gets permission, he will receive the amount of money he wants to withdraw. Davening is the “money” we receive, but if we don’t ask for it, we won’t get it. Although the money is in the “account” from when Hashem decrees it on Rosh Hashanah, there is no way to access it without asking Hashem for permission and davening for it.
In the tefillos of the Yamim Nora’im, we say that through teshuvah, tefillah, and tzedakah, the decree can change. The Zoharsays that if a person pours out tears before Hashem, even if there is a decree for punishment, it is ripped up. The Gemara says that screaming in tefillah is beautiful before and after the decree is determined. Tosfas says that the decree of the tzibbur can be ripped up.
Others say that we are all born with a certain mazel that determines whether we will be smart, tall, short, experience pain, and so on. Every person must experience certain things as part of his lot in life. In addition, a person can be punished for things he did. Although we know that everything is for the best, we still daven that tribulations should end. Isn’t this a contradiction?
When we daven, it’s in order to change the punishment but not the mazel. Davening can make the punishment go away, but it won’t change one’s mazel.
A Sword Resting on One’s Throat
The Gemara says that even if a sword is resting on one’s throat, he should not refrain from asking for mercy. Even if one is told in a dream that tomorrow he will die, he should not stop asking for mercy. This is different than the Gemara mentioned above that since a dream is part of nevuah, in essence the decree was set. Yet still, one should daven. The Me’iri says that even if a decree is set on Rosh Hashanah, it can be annulled through teshuvah. If an individual is in trouble and needs help, he can daven even though his future may have already been decided. The Steipler Gaon says that human action and segulos will not change what was decreed on Rosh Hashanah. Only tefillah and teshuvah can change the decree.
Yitzchak Avinu had to daven in such a way that he could “break” nature in order that Rivkah should conceive. From here we see that tefillah can change even that which was decreed, and we must do our part to daven.
The pasuk says that Yaakov Avinu took sword and bow. Targum Onkelos says that this refers to different methods of tefillah. Why didn’t the pasuk simply enumerate the different methods of tefillah? The Torah is teaching us a lesson: the only method we have to fight off an enemy, whether physical or spiritual, is tefillah.
Judged Each Day
The Tzidkas Hatzaddik says that although we know that what is decreed for us that year is set on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur, in order for the good part of the gezeirah to be implemented, one must daven each day. Otherwise, one will not get what he asked for on Rosh Hashanah. In a way, davening is the way we do our part. In addition, although a decree is issued on Rosh Hashanah, there is an opinion that one is judged each day. Because of this, we must daven every day. By doing so, one can rip up the decree that was set on Rosh Hashanah.
Three Kinds of Decrees
The Pele Yoetz says that there are three types of decrees. One type of decree cannot be helped by tefillah, which means that even after one does everything he can to get rid of it, it still remains. Another decree is meant for a short time and will be taken away even without tefillah. The third decree is set and will only be rescinded if one davens that it should be taken away. One should therefore view himself as being in this third category. He should always daven, especially since most decrees fall into this category.
Why Daven if Some People Have Everything without Davening?
A common difficulty people have with davening is seeing others who may not be the best daveners being blessed with wealth, health, and nachas. If this person doesn’t daven properly but has everything, why should we make an effort to daven? The first thing to remember is that Hashem has His ways. Just because other people get what they need without davening does not mean we should be doing this as well. In addition, the main purpose of davening is the connection with Hashem. A person who does not daven and still has what he needs is missing out on the most important relationship in his life. It’s also possible that the merits of this person are minimized because his needs are granted without him asking for them. Furthermore, no one can know what goes on behind closed doors. It’s impossible to know what pain one may be experiencing even if he looks like everything is fine.
As mentioned above, Hashem desires our tefillos. If everyone who davened well got what they needed, and all those who did not daven did not get what they needed, there would be no test for us to daven. Therefore, Hashem may give things to people who do not daven as a way to test others to see if they will daven. Furthermore, other people may be davening for those who do not daven, and this may be the cause of the good that these individuals receive.
When people receive a livelihood without asking for it through tefillah, they are like animals being fed by Hashem. They lack a relationship with Hashem and are no different than a young child who is fed without asking for it. There is no reason to be jealous of such people. We have the ability to ask and beseech from Hashem and build a constant relationship with Him.
What a zechus!