Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is SUPER Power.
….Moses prayed “at that time” to G-d, 505 prayers, for this clemency, (he was punished not to enter the Land of Israel) to allow him to cross over the Jordan River, complete the conquest of the land, and see the good land of Israel, in consideration of his many good deeds. He also solicited G-d’s absolute, undeserved mercy, feeling that his merits were not sufficient to warrant his prayer being accepted. “I both prayed to G-d and entreated Him at that time, saying,
‘G-d, I know that You are merciful even when meting out justice, for when the people sinned by making the Golden Calf, You took the initiative to show me, Your servant, Your magnanimity; that Your right hand, which metes out loving-kindness, is stronger than Your left hand, which metes out strict justice, and can overcome it; and that it is our prayers that make Your mercy override Your justice. That is why I am praying to You now and requesting mercy. For who is like You, G-d, in heaven or on earth, who can match Your deeds and Your might? Mortal kings have advisors who convince him not to be lenient or merciful, but You can do whatever You please.’
The words, Moses prayed “at that time” is not being precise. When exactly? That’s because, at whatever time a person feels the need to pray and attach him/herself to G-d, we learn from Moses, and emulate his example, even if it takes praying 505 prayers, no one would know better than Moses that prayer is the most powerful tool to turn to, “at that time”.
The Preacher of Koznitz once said. “I have no better enjoyment in this world than a good prayer.”
In Hebrew, the literal translation of the word for prayer actually means bonding and attachment. Therefore, the real objective in praying is not so much turning to the best source for answers and a relief from whatever the issue might be at that time, as much as it is a strengthening and renewal of one’s bond and attachment with G-d Almighty Himself. When the bond is tight and clear, the problems on their own disintegrate.
During prayer especially when done in a synagogue the soul of a person can divest itself from any of the physical limitations of the body, it ascends to the Garden of Eden and strolls around the elevated and higher dimensions. After ones prayers when one must proceed with the obligations of the day, the physical world will once again place its influence and clutches on the soul.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman taught. “Prayer before G-d has (the potential for) a total and complete spiritual and soul redemption from the constraints in one’s life. If all of Israel would pray with the concentration necessary, and the warmth and light generated from the love for G-d created through the exercise of prayer did not dissipate and evaporate after ones prayers – Messiah would have come, in a physical sense.”
At the beginning of the book of Genesis, prayer is compared to a ladder, set on the ground with its top reaching into the heavens. Prayer is the medium to connect “ground”, that part of the soul enclothed in our bodies and on earth, with “heaven” the other more important higher part of our souls, the part much larger than being able to descend into our lowly bodies and existence. Prayer is a two-way bridge that connects and perfects our souls.
When a person puts him/herself into the words of the prayer as designed by the great mystical traditions, not only is the coarseness and physicality of the earth elevated and refined to a more translucent and purer form, the perspective of the heavens and the experience of G-dliness is drawn back down to the earthly level the person is praying from.
When a person prays with the complete concentration necessary, every letter and every word, every thought and every spark of energy generated from the prayers, creates angels that serve as messengers who reach G-d. These exact messengers return, with the fruits of our directed prayers.
When Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812, founder of Chabad Chassidism) neared his twentieth year, he decided -- with the consent of his wife, Rebbetzin Sterna -- to travel to a center of Torah learning and service of G‑d.
At that time Vilna and Mezeritch were the great Jewish capitals of Eastern Europe. Vilna was the seat of Rabbi Eliyahu, the famed Gaon of Vilna, and Mezeritch was the hometown of Rabbi DovBer (the "Maggid"), leader of the Chassidic movement.
Related Rabbi Schneur Zalman: "I debated as to where I should go. I knew that in Vilna one was taught how to study, and in Mezeritch one could learn how to pray. To study I was somewhat able, but of prayer I knew very little. So I went to Mezeritch.
"The Almighty blessed me with making the right choice.”
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