For the Ilui Neshama of a friend's grandmother who passed away this morning Miriam Haya bat Rahel Z"L.Every night in Tefillat Arvit (evening prayer service) each individual says a special Beracha (blessing) before beginning the Shemah Yisrael prayer. The words in Hebrew are as follows: “Ahavat Olam Bet Yisrael Amecha Ahavta Torah UMitzvot Hukim UMishpatim Otanu Limadeta.” In English it is told over as follows: An everlasting love to Your nation, the sons of Israel, You love. Torah and Mitzvot (good deeds) and Laws (that have no stated reasoning in scripture) You taught us.
Over two THOUSAND years ago 120 members of Anshei Kenesset
HaGedola (the Great Assembly) was filled with prophets from the time of the
Second Bet HaMikdash and together set up the Siddur (the prayer book) and the
order of Tefillah (prayer in general). Mordechai (from the story of Purim) was
one of these prophets; just imagine their greatness and spirituality that
filled the room of 120 Hachamim (Scholars)!
Therefore, if we just think a little about who made up these
Tefillot (prayers), it is obvious that its content is not something that was
scribbled up by 10 year olds. These are hardcore Torah Scholars that were on
spiritual levels beyond what we can think about. If one takes this knowledge
and applies it to our everyday work of prayer and connection to G-d, they can
conclude that each prayer everyday has much meaning to it.
When looking at the above Tefillah, we see that there is a
striking connection between Hashem loving us and Hashem teaching us the Torah,
Mitzvot and overall Laws of the Torah. This is coming to wake us up and let us
know: The fact that we have the Torah and the ability and opportunity to learn
and practice Mitzvot is a HUGE SIGN OF LOVE FROM HASHEM!
What more do we need to fuel our Avodat Hashem? If we know
that having these commandments is The Way that Hashem chose to show us His love
for us, then obviously it’s the best for our lives. If you love someone all you
want to do is give them more and more of something that is valuable and that
will make their lives more efficient and healthy. How much more so with Hashem
and us: His children?
Judaism=Think.
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