PARSHAS VAYETZAY

Q. Why do we pray 3 times a day? 

A. Prayer is a legacy which we received from our forefathers; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham established the reciting of a morning prayer. Isaac established the reciting of an afternoon prayer. And in the beginning of this week’s portion, Jacob establishes the reciting of a prayer to be said at night.

Why do we pray at all?   The easy answer is that it is because G-d commanded us to do so.  But as we study more, we realize that G-d gave us this commandment for our benefit, not for His.  Prayer allows us to attach ourselves and connect to G-d. It allows us to draw down energy - into ourselves and into the world around us. And just as each of the Patriarchs were different, so too, each of the prayers and the type of energy which we draw down by saying those prayers, are also different. 

The first stage of the day occurs at dawn. This is a moment filled with unlimited potential.  The anticipation of a new day with no limit to what can be accomplished.  This is the time of the optimist.  It is the time of the man who recognized G-d in nature and realized that all that we see and feel and touch is all G-d.  It is the time of Abraham.  Accordingly, it was Abraham who composed the Shacharis prayer.

As the day goes on, the morning’s enthusiasm seem to weaken as we make our way through the difficulties of the day.  We each face our challenges and plow through them, intent on achieving our goals by the end of the day. The energy that is required at this time is that of resolve.

Isaac was a man of dedication, of commitment and of somber resolve.  Accordingly, it was Isaac who composed the Minchah prayer.

As the day wanes, we complete our activities and reflect upon all that transpired.  Even after a day of great success, there is much more to accomplish.  We may have wanted to do more - but darkness set upon us and we were forced, for the moment, to stop. 

With darkness comes sadness. We realize that daylight does not last forever.  The enthusiasm of the morning and the momentum of the afternoon are no longer there.  The night is cold and dark and brings with it a sense of despair.  Can we overcome the night, or will it overcome us?

Jacob provides the answer.   “Yes”, says Jacob, “We must pray even in the night”.  In fact, this is when we need to pray most.   For when we pray in the night, G-d promises to send the morning sun to once again illuminate our lives and warm us with its light and hope. 

Jacob is the Patriarch who maintained his faith even in the darkness - teaching that no amount of darkness can overcome the G-dly light.  Jacob had a life packed with trials and tribulations - but through the darkness of it all, he never lost his way - he never lost his faith. 

Imagine “Vayeitzei Yaakov Mibear Sheva - and Jacob departed from Bear Sheva” (going from Israel to Choron).  In his mind he felt that this was a total and complete departure from all that was good and comfortable and G-dly.  He was going from light into darkness, from heaven… to the very opposite.   He thought he was leaving forever, into exile for the rest of his life. 

Then, as the sun set on his first day of travel the Torah tells us that “Vayifga Bamakom - he encountered the place”.  He came to the place where the Temple would one day be built.  What did Jacob do at this holy place?   He composed the evening service. 

Consider his situation. Banished from home, estranged from family, alone in the dark — and he is not afraid. On the contrary he is inspired to pray. What is the source of this amazing strength of character?

The answer lies in the choice of words which the Torah uses: “Vayifga bamakom ki ba hashemesh.”.  These words are usually translated as: “he encountered the place as the sun set.” However, a literal translation would be: “he encountered the place because the sun set.” When he saw that night fell as soon as he arrived at the Temple Mount, he sensed something special was happening here.  

Our sages teach that the area of the Temple Mount was blessed with a great spiritual light.  As Jacob approached, the sky blackened and night set.  The war between light and darkness was already going on.    

Some people may have been upset.  Why is it so dark?  What happened to the light? The average person may only have seen the fact that the world had become darkened.  But not Jacob.  He perceived a light behind the obvious darkness.  He could not explain the light. He could only sense that it was there.  He understood deep in his heart, that this sudden darkness must somehow symbolize a greater light. 

Night fell.  But Jacob was not scared.  He saw this as the time to acknowledge G-d so he used that occasion to establish the Maariv evening prayer.  Jacob was able to see through the veil of darkness and discover the spiritual light which lies beneath it.  He revealed that night is not the end of today but according to Jewish law, the beginning of tomorrow. Indeed, the pause which we experience at night provides us with the energy to accomplish much greater things in the day to come. 

Jacob used the strength of this light to hold him all throughout his stay in the darkness of Choron.   And it stood him in good stead.  We too can make through the darkest of night when he recognize and give allegiance to G-d the source of all light. 

May we be blessed to hear only good tidings in the future.  May all our days be bright.  May G-d quickly take us out of this dark exile and bring us to the days of light and joy with the coming of Moshiach.  May that day be soon and let us say, amain.