Prayer
Question
Shalom, Rabbi. We have obligation to pray. However, it is obvious that HaShem knows what we need and want before we pray. Then, why do we have to pray? Isn’t it heresy to pray because it is an action of denying the fact that HaShem knows what we want before we pray? Isn’t it denying omnisience of HaShem?
Answers
The fact that there is an obligation to pray is a clear indication that it is not heretical to pray.
The Maharal addresses the concept of prayer and explains that the most central tenet of prayer is that we have Who to turn to. When we pray we are acknowledging that there is only One Entity capable of answering us and giving us what we are asking for, and that is Hashem. Even not receiving what it is that we are beseeching Him for cannot detract from the fact that there is no one else who we can turn to other than our Father in Heaven. That knowledge is a source of great comfort because it teaches the importance of knowing that we can ask Hashem for everything that we want and everything that we need. Of course, for us to be able to do so in a healthy way requires us accepting that Hashem may not give what we are asking for, despite its justice being so plainly obvious to us. Turning to Hashem is the way that we show that we are not in control, and that it is Hashem that we must turn to.
There is a poignant story that is told about when a person came to the Ponovizher Rav to complain that Hashem does not listen to his Tefillos. The Ponovizher Rav said, “He does, He said no.”
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team