Prayer is a deeply personal act, often filled with our most heartfelt desires, needs, and concerns. But Noach, Comment 131, challenges us to think beyond ourselves when we pray. It suggests that the true power of prayer lies not in asking for our own needs but in transcending them to connect with something much greater—the Shechinah, the divine presence. This teaching offers profound insights into how we can elevate our prayers and our spiritual lives by embracing selflessness and humility.
The first step, according to Noach, Comment 131, is to consider oneself as nothing. This isn’t about self-deprecation or thinking poorly of oneself; rather, it’s about letting go of the ego, the sense of “I” that often drives our actions and thoughts. By seeing ourselves as “nothing,” we remove the barriers that separate us from the divine. In this state of humility, we can forget our personal concerns and focus entirely on the Shechinah, the feminine aspect of HaShem that dwells in the world and among us.
When we pray with this mindset, we are not just offering words; we are entering a higher state of consciousness that transcends time and space. Noach, Comment 131 describes this as entering the “World of Thought,” a realm where everything is equal—life and death, land and sea. In this state, the distinctions that define our physical world fade away, and we connect with the infinite unity of HaShem.
This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Zohar, which Noach, Comment 131 references. The Zohar discusses the moment when the Israelites stood at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped between the water and Pharaoh’s advancing army. The verse says, “Why do they cry to Me?” (Exodus 14:15), and the Zohar explains that the answer lies in reaching a state of total self-abandonment, where the individual ego is completely forgotten. Only by letting go of their fear and concern for their own safety could the Israelites connect with the divine and experience the miracle that followed. In this way, they entered the World of Thought, where everything is equal, and the impossible became possible.
However, this level of prayer is not easy to achieve. As long as we remain attached to the physical world—its pleasures, its pains, its dualities—we are bound by the limitations of time and space. The physical world is inherently divided into good and evil, life and death, day and night. These divisions are part of the created world, the “seven days of creation,” as Noach, Comment 131 puts it. When we are focused on our own needs, we are tied to this duality, and it becomes impossible to rise above it to the state of pure unity that is the World of Thought.
To truly connect with HaShem in prayer, we must let go of the idea that we are “something,” that we have independent existence and needs separate from the divine. When we see ourselves as “something,” we create a barrier between ourselves and HaShem. The infinite cannot be contained within the finite, and as long as we hold onto our sense of self, we cannot fully experience the divine presence.
On the other hand, when we see ourselves as “nothing,” we become vessels for the infinite. In this state of humility and selflessness, we allow HaShem to dwell within us, and our prayers become powerful tools for connecting with the divine and bringing about change in the world. This is the essence of true prayer—not asking for what we want but aligning ourselves with the divine will, so that our prayers become expressions of HaShem’s will in the world.
Noach, Comment 131 also highlights the paradox of prayer: that by forgetting ourselves and our needs, we actually become more connected to the source of all life and blessing. This doesn’t mean that our needs are unimportant or that we shouldn’t bring them to HaShem in prayer. Rather, it means that the most powerful prayers are those that transcend our personal desires and focus on the greater good—the wellbeing of the Shechinah, the fulfillment of HaShem’s will in the world.
Noach, Comment 131 invites us to elevate our prayers by letting go of our ego and focusing on the divine. By considering ourselves as “nothing” and praying not for our own needs but for the good of the Shechinah, we can transcend the limitations of the physical world and connect with the infinite unity of HaShem. This is the true power of prayer—not just to ask for what we want but to become vessels for the divine presence, allowing HaShem’s will to be done in the world through us.
This blog is in the zechut of Ellie Stanton may she have complete emuna as well as all of klal Israel. May the hostages be freed 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 selflessness in prayer can transform your spiritual life, I encourage you to delve deeper into the 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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