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PARASHA BRESHIT

10/01/2021 01:34:24 PM

Oct1

The Essence of Man

 "… all herbage of the field was still before it sprouted for G-d had not caused it to rain upon earth and Man was not there to work the soil." (2,5)

 On the words "all herbage of the field was still before it sprouted Rashi explains: When the Creation of the world was finished on the sixth day before Man was created "all herbage of the field was still before it sprouted". Why? What delayed the sprouting of the herbage? Rashi explains: "for G-d had not caused it to rain". Why not? "Because "Man was not there to work the soil" and appreciate the good of the rain. And when Man came and knew that rain was needed for the world, he prayed for it and it rained and the trees and grass grew."

 We learn something wonderful here! Even though the Creation was totally completed and it says "and G-d saw that it was good", nevertheless, the rain, upon which the entire world depends and is nourished, did not fall. Why? Because the prayers of Man, who appreciates their good, were missing; because it is only when a person asks and prays to the Creator for rain that it rains and brings life to the entire creation.

 The Ben Ish Chai adds that the essence of Man is prayer and without prayers he is nothing! Because there are so many material and spiritual needs that a person could not achieve them by himself – and therefore he must always raise his eyes to Heaven in prayer and supplication.

 And therefore the Torah says  "ואדם אין" – "Man is not there". In other words, without prayers a person is not considered a person and he is like "not there", for a person's entire essences is to ask and pray, as David Hamelech said, "And I am prayer".

 SHABBAT SHALOM!!

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784