Imagine this: You’re walking along a riverbank and suddenly notice someone struggling in the water. They’re thrashing around, making wild movements as they fight to stay afloat. Would you laugh at them? Of course not. You’d recognize that they’re doing everything they can to save themselves from drowning. This vivid image is at the heart of a powerful teaching from Noach, Comment 139, attributed to Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov.
The Baal Shem Tov draws a compelling analogy between a person drowning in a river and someone who makes gestures while praying. Just as it would be absurd to mock someone fighting for their life in water, it’s equally misguided to ridicule someone who makes movements during prayer. These gestures are not random or meaningless; they are an essential part of the person’s spiritual struggle, an effort to stay connected and focused in the face of distraction.
Let’s dive into this a bit deeper. When we pray, we often face countless distractions—those "evil waters" the Baal Shem Tov refers to, which are really the impure forces or negative thoughts that try to pull us away from our connection with HaShem. These might be worries about daily life, intrusive thoughts, or simply the struggle to maintain focus. In this spiritual battle, making movements during prayer can be a way of warding off these distractions, of anchoring ourselves in the moment, and of staying afloat in the spiritual flow.
This teaching is incredibly relevant today. We live in an age of constant distraction, where our attention is pulled in a thousand different directions by technology, responsibilities, and the ever-present noise of modern life. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, to feel like we’re spiritually drowning in a sea of distractions. In such a context, any method that helps us stay focused during prayer is invaluable.
When you see someone praying with intensity—perhaps swaying back and forth, raising their hands, or making other movements—it’s easy to misunderstand or even judge them. But Noach, Comment 139 invites us to look at these gestures with a deeper understanding. These movements aren’t about putting on a show; they’re about survival. Just like the person in the river, the one making movements during prayer is fighting to stay spiritually alive, to keep their connection to HaShem strong amidst the currents of distraction.
This teaching also encourages us to embrace whatever methods work best for us in our own prayers. Maybe you’re someone who finds stillness helpful, or perhaps you naturally move while praying. The Baal Shem Tov reminds us that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to maintaining focus and intention in prayer. The key is to find what helps you stay connected, what keeps you from being swept away by the "evil waters" of distraction.
Moreover, this teaching highlights the importance of empathy and understanding within our communities. Instead of judging others for how they connect with HaShem, we should recognize that everyone is engaged in their own spiritual struggle, trying to stay afloat in their own way. By fostering an environment of support and respect, we can help each other navigate the often-turbulent waters of spiritual life.
In the broader context of spiritual practice, Noach, Comment 139 also touches on the concept of kavanah, or intention. In Jewish prayer, kavanah refers to the focus and intention one brings to their prayers. The Baal Shem Tov’s teaching suggests that physical movements can be an expression of kavanah, a way to deepen one’s connection and intention during prayer. These movements are not a distraction but a tool to help maintain focus, to channel the energy of prayer in a way that is meaningful and impactful.
So, the next time you find yourself or someone else making movements during prayer, remember this teaching. Understand that these gestures are not random but are part of a vital effort to stay spiritually connected in a world full of distractions. Just as you wouldn’t mock someone struggling to stay afloat in water, don’t judge someone for how they maintain their focus in prayer. Instead, appreciate the depth of their struggle and the sincerity of their intention.
In a world where it’s so easy to get lost in the noise, this teaching from the Baal Shem Tov offers a powerful reminder: whatever helps you stay connected to HaShem, whatever keeps you afloat in your spiritual life, is not only valid but vital.
This blog is in the zechut of Rahel Bat Esther Gittel & family. May HaShem help them attain all their hearts desires with complete emuna as well as klal Israel.
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.
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