פרשת תולדות
In this week’s parsha the childless woes of our forefathers return as we find Yitzhak and Rivka in the struggle to have children. Fortunately, twenty years later, the couple is blessed with Yaakov and Esav. However, the Torah tells us something very intriguing. Although both Yitzhak and Rivka davened for children, only Yitzhak’s prayer was answered. Rashi explains that “The prayer of a tzaddik ben tzaddik is superior to the prayer of a tzaddik ben rasha.” Yitzhak was a tzaddik and the son of a tzaddik whereas Rivka, although righteous as well, descended from very wicked people. Yitzhak’s more elevated status added power to his prayer, a certain power that his wife’s prayer inherently lacked. However, this principle demands contemplation. Normally, we would assume quite the opposite. Rashi himself just a few pasookim earlier praises Rivka for the fact that she was righteous despite the harmful influences of her wicked family and the corrupt society in which she was raised! For a person to choose a life of Torah and mitzvos, courageously embracing a way of life completely foreign to his own, is incredible! The chance of someone even being aware of the possibility of such a choice is also remote. It’s almost impossible for a child who grows up in a bubble where everyone is immoral to choose otherwise. To think outside the box and escape the entrapment of societal norms and expectations in order to create a relationship with G-d is truly something remarkable. This is in stark contrast to a tzaddik ben tzaddik who grows up with only Torah and mitzvos. For him, it is certainly easier to become a servant of G-d. He is being raised in a bastion of spirituality! So what in the world would make Hashem accept his prayer more willingly? Is a tzaddik ben tzaddik really better than a tzaddik ben rasha?
Rav Yerucham Levovitz answers this question in three words: Tefilla is different. The Ramchal writes in Derech Hashem 4:5 that the main purpose of prayer is to achieve closeness to G-d. When one contemplates over the different aspects and halachos of davening, he understands how true this is. For instance, one must wear proper attire to daven. Additionally, the gemara in Brachos 6 says that ideally, one should even designate a set place to daven. These halachos impart a formality that emphasizes the lofty nature of tefilla. One should feel as if he is having a special meeting with Hashem and view prayer as valuable, personal time to talk with G-d. In davening we praise and thank Hashem for everything that He does. Besides this, we pour out our hearts and proclaim that G-d is the only One who can help us with our problems. We even address Hashem directly, referring to Him in the second person: You. The gemara in Yevamos 64a says that Hashem even has a lust, so to speak, for our prayers. This is because tefilla is designed to bring us close to Hashem and Hashem strongly desires that connection. Every time we daven we strengthen that bond and build on it, leading Hashem to desire and appreciate our relationship with Him more and more. With this premise we can now understand why a tzaddik ben tzaddik’s prayer is so powerful. A tzaddik ben tzaddik’s prayer is not just built on his own longstanding relationship with Hashem. It’s also a continuation of his father’s relationship with Hashem as well. The son is actually an extension of his father and by continuing his father’s holy work, the son is deepening and enriching a relationship that has already been blossoming for some time. This is the essence of tefilla. Connection to Hashem isn’t just achieved through one Shmone Esrei. It is a process that demands a gradual and continual evolution and transformation in a person. Thusly, every prayer, even the prayers of one’s forefathers, has an enduring and ongoing impact as one progresses in his service of G-d.
Rav Simcha Zissel adds another reason why a tzaddik ben tzaddik’s prayer is so great. When a tzaddik ben tzaddik davens with cavana something is happening that is simply amazing. A tzaddik ben tzaddik is davening with cavana!!! Someone who is raised in a frum home can easily take the blessing of a Torah life for granted. The familiarity bred by growing up in such an environment almost inevitably dulls one to the excitement and opportunity of Torah living. For most of us, inspiration does not come automatically, rather it must be worked on and enhanced. Furthermore, many people who have righteous parents find it challenging to forge their own path in Yiddishkeit. It’s never easy to be the rabbi’s son. One could just imagine what Yitzhak Avinu went through! His father was Avraham Avinu, Hashem’s beloved, the light of the nations, the Prince of the world!!! Could Yitzhak ever hope to be even close to the man his father was? This was in fact the hidden greatness of Yitzhak. Despite the fact that his father was Avraham Avinu, Yitzhak nevertheless became great in his own right and trail blazed his own relationship with Hashem, innovating a unique and invaluable service of G-d. For his tefillos to contain their own distinctive passion and inspiration was a spiritual victory in the truest sense. To remain inspired and avoid becoming desensitized to our avodas Hashem is a battle for every one of us. Even those who find new sources of inspiration in Torah and mitzvos can easily be drawn back into the complacency of habit. In truth we should be able to treat each time we daven as if it was the first time. If we do so we can have a tefilla as powerful as that of a tzaddik ben tzaddik. When we truly connect to Hashem through our prayers we are achieving the purpose of what prayer is all about.
The Kotzker Rebbe once made a comment that startled his Chassidim. “You know I’m doing so many mitzvos all the time,” he said, “but Hashem keeps paying me back!!!” The Chassidim were astonished at this statement, since the Kotzker Rebbe was exceedingly righteous. Moreover, he lived a very simple life, without excess or luxury. What reward could the Kotzker Rebbe be receiving in this world that could be so great? The Kotzker Rebbe answered, “I’ll tell you how Hashem pays me back for all my mitzvos. He gives me just one Shmone Esrei with intense cavana!!!”
May we all be zoche to connect to Hashem through our prayers!!!