Prayer.
What a gift.
We tiny human beings ask, and G-d – the Infinite – delivers.
There’s actually a more complex system to the process: When we pray, we create a ‘pool’ of spiritual blessing within the Divine. But that ‘pool’ is spiritual, and we’re looking for physical health and wellbeing. So, we need to work beyond the initial prayer. Our further conduct, and added prayers, eventually guides the spiritual blessing to concretization in material success.
Our Sages tell us that when we pray on the High Holidays, we create a reservoir of blessing. Then we have the year ahead to translate that spirituality into material success.
We can understand the process in human terms: Let’s say your child would like a bird feeder on your porch. You think it’s a good idea. Maybe not. The thought bangs around your head for a while until it settles, and you share it with your spouse. You’re both in agreement. So, one Sunday, you drive to Home Depot to purchase a bird-feeder one, and eventually set it up.
Between the original request and concretized action, there were a number of steps, and at each step there was the possibility that the idea would be derailed and never materialize.
It works that way within G-d’s spiritual system too. When G-d grants us spiritual blessing, G-d also wants us to be part of the actualization. We need to guide it through the steps. So we need to pray every day, and make our conduct a lightning rod for blessing, to actualize the goodness that’s waiting to enter our lives.
But there’s a way to expedite the process. If your child touched your heart with his/her request, if you felt a deep desire to express your love for your child, the bird-feeder could be there in no time.
Our sincere desire for connection with G-d triggers the same desire within the Divine. Drawing G-d’s deep love for us streamlines the entire process, bringing the blessing to quick actualization in our lives.
The Torah tells that Aaron the High Priest’s blessing – and the blessing of a very saintly person – is a trigger for deep Divine love, pushing G-d’s blessing through the spiritual realms so that it barrels through the process and manifests itself in our lives.
In this sense, the Rebbe was – and still is from on High – our Aaron.
Come honor him – and be honored in turn- this Monday evening.
See you there.