Let’s dive into a deep, mystical journey through the mind during prayer. Ever been in the middle of prayer and suddenly found yourself thinking about something completely unrelated, like counting the bricks on your wall or how many chicks are in the yard? Well, you’re not alone. Even the sages experienced these distractions. Noach, Comment 123, sheds light on these moments and offers profound insights into how we can elevate these foreign thoughts during prayer.
The struggle to maintain focus in prayer is as old as prayer itself. The Talmud recounts stories of great sages like Rav Chiya Rabba, Shmuel, and R. Bun bar Chiya, who confessed to their own difficulties in keeping their minds clear of distractions during prayer. Rav Chiya Rabba famously admitted, "I never concentrated in prayer. One time alone, when I wanted to concentrate, I started thinking ‘who should enter before the king first, the exilarch or the arkabasa.’" Shmuel found himself counting chicks, and R. Bun bar Chiya was counting the rows of bricks in the wall. These confessions might seem surprising, but they reveal a fundamental truth: distractions during prayer are universal, even for the most pious individuals.
Noach, Comment 123, draws on these stories to explore the nature of foreign thoughts during prayer. According to the teachings of the Ari, these foreign thoughts are not just random distractions; they are deeply connected to the Kabbalistic concept of *Malkhut of Malkhut*, the lowest level of divine emanation. When a foreign thought enters your mind, it’s said to originate from this level, where the divine sparks are most hidden within the “impure shell” of mundane concerns.
Here’s where the mystical teaching gets really interesting. The Ari explains that when a foreign thought arises, you should be scared of it—not in the sense of being terrified, but in the sense of having a deep reverence and awe. This fear is not a negative emotion but a tool for spiritual growth. It’s through this fear, or *yirah*, that you can unite “fear” with “awesome” (as in the awe of HaShem) and, in doing so, extract the holy spark from the impure shell of the foreign thought.
This process is connected to the Kabbalistic concept of the 248 sparks, a mystical idea that every element of creation contains sparks of divine energy. These sparks were scattered throughout the world during the breaking of the vessels, and our spiritual task is to gather and elevate them. When a foreign thought enters your mind during prayer, it’s not just a distraction; it’s an opportunity to engage in this sacred work of elevating the sparks.
But how do you actually do this? The teachings suggest that when a foreign thought arises, rather than trying to push it away, you should elevate it by connecting it to a higher spiritual reality. This might sound abstract, but it’s really about shifting your perspective. If, for example, you find yourself thinking about your home during prayer, you can transform that thought by reflecting on the ways your home provides a space for holiness, for Shabbat, for learning Torah. By doing this, you’re not just dismissing the thought; you’re lifting it up and reconnecting it to its divine source.
The Talmud in Berakhot 5:1 emphasizes the importance of kavanah, or focused intention, in prayer. Yet, as these stories show, even the greatest sages struggled with maintaining this focus. The key, according to Noach, Comment 123, is not to be discouraged by these distractions but to see them as part of the spiritual journey. The fear that arises when you recognize a foreign thought should be used as a tool to elevate the thought, transforming it from a distraction into a moment of spiritual connection.
This approach is beautifully illustrated in the story of R. Bun bar Chiya, who had no distracting thoughts until he began counting the bricks of his house. The Ari teaches that even this mundane thought can be elevated. By realizing the thought’s connection to the physical world, and then lifting it up through reflection and intention, R. Bun could extract the holy spark hidden within that thought. It’s a reminder that every thought, no matter how mundane, has the potential to be transformed into something sacred.
Furthermore, the concept of Malkhut of Malkhut teaches us that these foreign thoughts, while seemingly insignificant, are actually connected to the lowest level of divine emanation. They are the sparks that are most hidden and therefore most in need of being elevated. When we approach these thoughts with fear and awe, we’re not just avoiding distraction; we’re actively participating in the process of tikkun, the repair of the world.
So, the next time you’re in prayer and find your mind wandering, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember the teachings of Noach, Comment 123, and see these moments as opportunities. Use the fear that arises to elevate the thought, transforming it into a moment of connection with HaShem. Whether you’re counting chicks, bricks, or anything else, know that within every thought lies the potential for spiritual elevation. By engaging in this practice, you’re not only maintaining focus in prayer but also contributing to the ongoing work of gathering and elevating the divine sparks scattered throughout creation.
This blog is in the zechut of Tzvi hirsch ben rivka and sima Sara rivka bas malka baila Fruma. HaShem help them answer all their teffilot speedily with complete emuna. If you would like to sponsor 1 hour of Kabbbalah study you can do so through this link.
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