The value of communal prayer

Hi,

"Rabbi Yitzchak said to Rav Nachman: Why didn't your honour come to the synagogue to pray? He replied: I couldn't. Rabbi Yitzchak said to him: Should we gather ten to your honour, for him to pray? He replied: It is too much of a burden for me. Rabbi Yitzchak asked: Should your honour tell the chazan to inform him when the community is praying?

"Rav Nachman asked: Why go to such an extent? Rabbi Yitzchak replied: For Rabbi Yochanan cited Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on the verse, 'My prayer to You, at the time of desire' - When is a time of desire? When the community prays."

אמר ליה רבי יצחק לרב נחמן: מאי טעמא לא אתי מר לבי כנישתא לצלויי? אמר ליה: לא יכילנא. אמר ליה: לכנפי למר עשרה וליצלי. אמר ליה: טריחא לי מלתא. - ולימא ליה מר לשלוחא דצבורא, בעידנא דמצלי צבורא ליתי ולודעיה למר. - אמר ליה: מאי כולי האי? אמר ליה: דאמר רבי יוחנן משום רבי שמעון בן יוחי, מאי דכתיב ואני תפלתי לך ד' עת רצון - אימתי עת רצון - בשעה שהצבור מתפללין.

(Talmud, Berachot 7b-8a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Yarmulkas for Thieves

Hi,

"Rav Nachman’s mother was told by an astrologer, “Your son is a thief.”

"She then never permitted him to have his head uncovered; she told him, “Cover your head so that you will have awe of Heaven upon you, and pray to G-d for help.” He never knew why she asked this of him.

One day he was sitting underneath a palm tree, and his wrap fell off his head. He raised his eyes and saw the palm tree. His instincts overpowered him, and he climbed up and bit off a bunch of dates with his teeth."

(Talmud, Shabbat 156b)

חג אורים שמח,
Mordechai