So, in short and hopping on one foot this is how the story goes. ..
Chana desperately wants a child. Her husband, Elkanah, loves her dearly and even though he has another wife, Pnina, who has borne him 10 sons, his affection and his heart still belongs to Chana. (In those days, having multiple wives was kosher yet somehow always led to mishap). Elkanah’s love does not help our sorrowful Chana who feels lost and without purpose unable to produce a child. After this slightly dysfunctional family goes up for the yearly pilgrimage to offer sacrifices, Chana realizes that even her husband has despaired of her ever conceiving. At this point, she pours her heart out to G-d, promising to dedicate her son‘s life, the one she so desires, to the service of G-d. The High Priest Eli thinks her drunk and reprimands her. But when she firmly educates him of his error he apologizes and promises her prophetically that her request will be fulfilled. She then bears a child, who becomes Shmuel, one of the greatest prophets of the Jewish people.
The above story is given over as the textual basis for the way we pray today. Join me on a journey to explore a little deeper the concepts this tale reveals about human nature, communication with our Creator and our true purpose.
What is prayer?
Often we have dreams, desires, hopes for our lives. When we ask for these things, is this prayer? Understanding our deepest desire is the first step. What is it that we truly want? Is it really that dream vacation, the fancy car, the prestigious job or the attractive spouse or do we want something more essential and more lasting? True prayer is asking for your ultimate purpose to be fulfilled. When we tap into our greatest potential, discovering our gift and our true contribution to the world according to the highest Will, this awareness then becomes prayer. Chana knew she had the potential to bring a soul into the world that would change the course of Jewish history. She would never find fulfillment until she had actualized this mission.
When do we pray?
Up until the point in the narrative when Elkanah says to Chana “am I not better for thee than ten sons”, Chana had been dependent on her husband to pray on her behalf. She now realized he too had given up and that only she could plead her case. At this point she “rose up”. This is referring to her realization that she is the only one that could take responsibility and it was her efforts alone that would make the difference. We pray when we know that we need G-d’s help in fulfilling our destiny, when we realize that what we request is not just our will but it is truly the Will of G-d. In the granting of our request, G-d’s Will is fulfilled too.
How do we pray?
Chana was not reading her prayer out of a book. In fact, Chana "spoke in her heart, her lips moved, but her voice was not heard…” Chana “poured out her soul before the L-rd”. Chana spoke to G-d, she begged him directly. Her heart was broken and she saw herself as a handmaid sitting outside the gates of the King, asking for a scrap off His table. She clearly knew G-d is capable of anything and that what she was asking for was possible. We pray through exposing our deepest pain and longing, when we trust that the One above knows what is best for us and that His Will is higher than anything we can possibly dream of.
Why do we pray?
Chana was of a “sorrowful spirit”. Her rival, Pnina, "also provoked her“ and would mock Chana about being barren, causing Chana much agony. She knew her purpose and yet was unable to fulfill it. She had to deal with this knowledge being thrown in her face by a woman who seemingly produced ten sons with no effort. Sometimes, in life we see others accomplish with ease what we have set our hearts on. This takes nothing away from our mission. It should only strengthen our resolve in knowing that we need to expend the necessary effort and work with G-d to bring into fruition our true role in this world.
I know that in my own life experience I feel that I’ve received so much blessings, far more than I ever imagined possible. The lesson for me was that my own desires and supposed “needs” actually are limiting my potential. So, rather I try and focus my prayers to do the Will of my Creator, as these are the most grand, pure and appropriate for me as an individual. After all, who knows me and my potential better than the One that is responsible for my creation and being in the world?
In conclusion, prayer is when we have delved into the depths of our souls to really dig out our true function in this world. “For it is not by strength that man prevails”. When we become partners with G-d, our selfish motives are superseded by the desire to be of real service - “and the L-rd has given me my petition, which I asked of him; therefore also have I presented him to the L-rd“. Chana dedicates her son to the service of G-d. This means that at the age of two she brings him to the Temple and hands him over to the priests. This action is the enactment of her prayer to Him, Chana worked together with Him to bring forth her individual mission.
This is how we as mankind are able to truly be in His image and likeness by Creating. We can pray to the Infinite Dreamer that we live His Will for us. When we reach this point where our will becomes His, we have understood what prayer is all about.
Chana desperately wants a child. Her husband, Elkanah, loves her dearly and even though he has another wife, Pnina, who has borne him 10 sons, his affection and his heart still belongs to Chana. (In those days, having multiple wives was kosher yet somehow always led to mishap). Elkanah’s love does not help our sorrowful Chana who feels lost and without purpose unable to produce a child. After this slightly dysfunctional family goes up for the yearly pilgrimage to offer sacrifices, Chana realizes that even her husband has despaired of her ever conceiving. At this point, she pours her heart out to G-d, promising to dedicate her son‘s life, the one she so desires, to the service of G-d. The High Priest Eli thinks her drunk and reprimands her. But when she firmly educates him of his error he apologizes and promises her prophetically that her request will be fulfilled. She then bears a child, who becomes Shmuel, one of the greatest prophets of the Jewish people.
The above story is given over as the textual basis for the way we pray today. Join me on a journey to explore a little deeper the concepts this tale reveals about human nature, communication with our Creator and our true purpose.
What is prayer?
Often we have dreams, desires, hopes for our lives. When we ask for these things, is this prayer? Understanding our deepest desire is the first step. What is it that we truly want? Is it really that dream vacation, the fancy car, the prestigious job or the attractive spouse or do we want something more essential and more lasting? True prayer is asking for your ultimate purpose to be fulfilled. When we tap into our greatest potential, discovering our gift and our true contribution to the world according to the highest Will, this awareness then becomes prayer. Chana knew she had the potential to bring a soul into the world that would change the course of Jewish history. She would never find fulfillment until she had actualized this mission.
When do we pray?
Up until the point in the narrative when Elkanah says to Chana “am I not better for thee than ten sons”, Chana had been dependent on her husband to pray on her behalf. She now realized he too had given up and that only she could plead her case. At this point she “rose up”. This is referring to her realization that she is the only one that could take responsibility and it was her efforts alone that would make the difference. We pray when we know that we need G-d’s help in fulfilling our destiny, when we realize that what we request is not just our will but it is truly the Will of G-d. In the granting of our request, G-d’s Will is fulfilled too.
How do we pray?
Chana was not reading her prayer out of a book. In fact, Chana "spoke in her heart, her lips moved, but her voice was not heard…” Chana “poured out her soul before the L-rd”. Chana spoke to G-d, she begged him directly. Her heart was broken and she saw herself as a handmaid sitting outside the gates of the King, asking for a scrap off His table. She clearly knew G-d is capable of anything and that what she was asking for was possible. We pray through exposing our deepest pain and longing, when we trust that the One above knows what is best for us and that His Will is higher than anything we can possibly dream of.
Why do we pray?
Chana was of a “sorrowful spirit”. Her rival, Pnina, "also provoked her“ and would mock Chana about being barren, causing Chana much agony. She knew her purpose and yet was unable to fulfill it. She had to deal with this knowledge being thrown in her face by a woman who seemingly produced ten sons with no effort. Sometimes, in life we see others accomplish with ease what we have set our hearts on. This takes nothing away from our mission. It should only strengthen our resolve in knowing that we need to expend the necessary effort and work with G-d to bring into fruition our true role in this world.
I know that in my own life experience I feel that I’ve received so much blessings, far more than I ever imagined possible. The lesson for me was that my own desires and supposed “needs” actually are limiting my potential. So, rather I try and focus my prayers to do the Will of my Creator, as these are the most grand, pure and appropriate for me as an individual. After all, who knows me and my potential better than the One that is responsible for my creation and being in the world?
In conclusion, prayer is when we have delved into the depths of our souls to really dig out our true function in this world. “For it is not by strength that man prevails”. When we become partners with G-d, our selfish motives are superseded by the desire to be of real service - “and the L-rd has given me my petition, which I asked of him; therefore also have I presented him to the L-rd“. Chana dedicates her son to the service of G-d. This means that at the age of two she brings him to the Temple and hands him over to the priests. This action is the enactment of her prayer to Him, Chana worked together with Him to bring forth her individual mission.
This is how we as mankind are able to truly be in His image and likeness by Creating. We can pray to the Infinite Dreamer that we live His Will for us. When we reach this point where our will becomes His, we have understood what prayer is all about.
RSS Feed