The power of tearful prayer

Hi,

"Rabbi Elazar said: Since the time the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, the gates of prayer have been sealed, as it is written (Lamentations 3), 'Even when I call out and cry, my prayer is closed.'

"Although the gates of prayer have been sealed, the gates of tears have not been sealed, as it is written (Psalms 39), 'Gd, hear my prayer and incline an ear to my cry; do not be deaf to my tears.'"

(Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The importance of tears

Hi,

"Prayer requires the focus of one's heart, and the central focus is in one's tears."

(Vilna Gaon, Aderet Eliyahu to Esther)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying: Silent, Loud and in Tears

Hi,

Commenting on Tehillim 39:13, "Hear my prayer, Gd; lend an ear to my wailing. To my tears be not silent..."

"'Hear my prayer, Gd' - This refers to silent prayer.

"'Lend an ear to my wailing' - This refers to prayer in which one raises his voice in his trouble, like Shemot 2:23, 'And their wailing arose to Gd.' What is their wailing? In one's prayer, one raises his voice and turns his eyes above, as in Yeshayah 22:5, 'And wailing to the mountains.'

"And this prayer, 'To my tears be not silent,' ascends before the King and no gate can stand in its way, and tears are never returned empty.'"

(Zohar Bereishit pg. 132a)

May we be inscribed and sealed for a great year,
Mordechai