Prayer is often seen as a means to communicate with HaShem, to express our needs, hopes, and gratitude. However, in the deeper layers of Jewish thought, prayer is much more than a dialogue; it’s a process of spiritual alignment and unification. Noach, Comment 130 offers a profound exploration of how our words in prayer connect with our thoughts, and how this union determines the spiritual outcome of our prayers.
At the heart of this teaching is the idea that when a person fully invests themselves in their words—when they pour their entire being into their prayers—those words become a testimony on their behalf. But this isn’t just about sincerity or passion; it’s about intention. The key is that the person’s intention must be solely to unite the World of Speech (Olam HaDibbur) with the World of Thought (Olam HaMachshavah). This unification is what gives life to the words of prayer and connects the individual directly with the divine.
Noach, Comment 130 explains that this concept is encapsulated in the idea of the “three books” that are opened on Rosh Hashanah. Traditionally, these books are understood to represent the righteous, the wicked, and the intermediaries, each being judged and inscribed for life, death, or something in between. However, in this deeper interpretation, “books” refers to “speech” or “words.” The righteous, or Tzaddikim, are those whose prayers are entirely focused on this mystical union. Their words are immediately inscribed for life—not just life in the physical sense, but a spiritual aliveness, an attachment to the divine that transcends the material world.
The Tzaddikim’s prayers are powerful because they are not concerned with personal gain or material outcomes. Their sole focus is on fulfilling the spiritual purpose of uniting speech with thought. When they pray, they aren’t just asking for things; they are engaging in a divine act of creation, aligning their words with the higher realms of thought and intention. This pure intention elevates their prayers, making them immediately effective in the spiritual world, and by extension, in the physical world as well.
But what about those who fall into the category of intermediaries, or Beinoni? These are the people who pray with a dual intention. They seek to unite the World of Speech with the World of Thought, but they also have personal requests—whether it’s for health, success, or other material needs. According to Noach, Comment 130, these individuals are “left hanging” until Yom Kippur. This isn’t a punishment or a dismissal of their prayers; rather, it reflects the idea that their prayers are in a state of spiritual suspension, waiting for the full revelation of the World of Thought that occurs on Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is a time when the spiritual world is fully open, and the deeper intentions behind our prayers are revealed and judged. For the Beinoni, this means that their prayers are evaluated based on the purity of their intentions. If their material requests are genuinely for the sake of serving HaShem—if their desire for health, success, or sustenance is so that they can better fulfill their spiritual duties—then their prayers, too, are inscribed for life. Their words and thoughts are united, and their prayers ascend and are fulfilled.
This teaching invites us to consider our own approach to prayer. It’s natural to pray for things we need or want, but Noach, Comment 130 challenges us to examine the intentions behind those requests. Are we praying solely for our own benefit, or are we seeking to align our needs with a higher purpose? The more we can focus on uniting our speech with our thoughts—on aligning our words with the divine intention behind them—the more powerful our prayers become.
Moreover, this teaching also highlights the importance of patience and trust in the process of prayer. For those who fall into the category of Beinoni, the delay in the fulfillment of their prayers is not a rejection, but a call to deepen their intentions and trust in the divine timing. Yom Kippur serves as a reminder that every thought and intention has its moment of revelation, and that our prayers are always heard, even if the answers are not immediate.
Noach, Comment 130 offers a profound meditation on the nature of prayer and intention. It challenges us to elevate our prayers beyond mere requests for material gain and to focus on the spiritual union of speech and thought. By doing so, we can connect more deeply with HaShem, ensuring that our prayers are not just words, but powerful acts of spiritual creation that bring life and divine connection into the world.
This blog is in the zechut of Ellie Stanton may she have complete emuna with easy parnassa tova and excellent health. May HaShem free all the hostages immediately!
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
If you find these teachings inspiring and wish to explore more about how prayer and intention can transform your spiritual life, consider delving into the mystical wisdom of Kabbalah. Kabbalah offers insights into the profound connections between our physical and spiritual realities, revealing how our thoughts, words, and actions can influence the world around us. By sponsoring my study in this sacred tradition, you can support the continuation of these teachings and receive their blessings for sustenance, health, and family, ensuring that the light of Kabbalah shines brightly in your life.
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