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Daily Chizuk #1648
Holidays / Yamim Tovim
Transformative Prayer: Engaging Hashem during Misfortune
The Transformative Power of Tefillah
Although we are not permitted to hold weddings during these days, Halacha allows a person to become engaged—even on Tisha B'Av itself. The Gemara explains the reason: שמא יקדיםנו אחר—perhaps someone else will marry her first.
But the Gemara then raises a question: If a person's zivug is already determined even before conception, how could anyone else take what was destined for someone? The answer: if the other person prays hard enough, he may merit it.
From here we learn the incredible power of tefillah: It can change what has already been decreed.
There is nothing that tefillah cannot accomplish. Therefore, it is our responsibility to use this powerful gift with all our strength. Even if we feel that we've prayed many times and nothing has changed—we must continue.
The Gemara tells us, חזק ויאמץ לבך וקוה אל ה—strengthen yourself, and do it again. There is no limit to what effort in tefillah can achieve.
We must keep renewing our strength, returning to prayer again and again, pouring out our hearts with sincerity and Emunah.
Although we are not permitted to hold weddings during these days, Halacha allows a person to become engaged—even on Tisha B'Av itself. The Gemara explains the reason: שמא יקדיםנו אחר—perhaps someone else will marry her first.
But the Gemara then raises a question: If a person's zivug is already determined even before conception, how could anyone else take what was destined for someone? The answer: if the other person prays hard enough, he may merit it.
From here we learn the incredible power of tefillah: It can change what has already been decreed.
There is nothing that tefillah cannot accomplish. Therefore, it is our responsibility to use this powerful gift with all our strength. Even if we feel that we've prayed many times and nothing has changed—we must continue.
The Gemara tells us, חזק ויאמץ לבך וקוה אל ה—strengthen yourself, and do it again. There is no limit to what effort in tefillah can achieve.
We must keep renewing our strength, returning to prayer again and again, pouring out our hearts with sincerity and Emunah.
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