Let’s talk about prayer, but not just any kind of prayer—the kind of prayer that’s so next-level, it’s not even about getting what you want. That’s right, we’re diving into Noach, Comment 125, where the whole point is to rethink why we pray in the first place. Spoiler alert: it’s not about making your wish list to HaShem. This is about something way deeper, something that can change your entire approach to connecting with the divine.
So, remember that classic teaching from Pirkei Avot, where we’re told not to be like servants who serve just to get a reward? It’s like the Torah version of “don’t be that guy.” Well, there’s actually another version of this teaching that says, “Be like servants who serve in order not to receive a reward.” Wait, what? Isn’t that the same thing? Not exactly. According to Noach, Comment 125, these two versions reflect different levels of spiritual maturity, and trust me, the second one is a whole new level.
Let’s break it down. The first level—serving without expecting a reward—is pretty straightforward. It’s like doing good things because they’re the right things to do, not because you’re waiting for a cosmic pat on the back. Your intention in praying for something, according to this teaching, should be for the sake of HaShem. Whether you actually get what you’re asking for is irrelevant. The act of praying, of serving, is what counts. This is what spiritual pros aim for—to live and pray with pure intentions, focused entirely on the divine, without any thought of personal gain. Sounds pretty noble, right?
But then there’s the next level, which is where things get really interesting. Imagine you’re someone who just loves talking to the king—like, it’s your favorite thing in the world. Now, the king has made a decree: anyone who asks for something will get it. You’d think that’s awesome, right? But here’s the twist—what if you’re actually scared that if the king grants your request, you won’t have a reason to talk to him anymore? You’re not praying because you want something; you’re praying because you want to keep the conversation going.
This is the essence of “in order not to receive a reward.” It’s not that you don’t want the reward—it’s that you don’t want the conversation with HaShem to end. Your deepest desire is to keep coming back, to keep that connection alive. It’s like being more interested in the journey than the destination, more excited about the chat than the checklist.
Noach, Comment 125 connects this idea to a verse from Psalms: “A prayer of the poor, when he faints, and pours out his words before HaShem.” The prayer of the poor isn’t about getting stuff—it’s about the act of pouring out his words. The prayer itself is the goal. This is prayer on a whole new level, where the real reward is just being able to keep talking to HaShem.
There’s a story in the Talmud about Shmuel HaKatan that ties into this idea. Shmuel was known for his humility and deep connection to HaShem. The Talmud hints that his prayers were so sincere and pure that they weren’t about getting things, but about maintaining that intimate dialogue with the divine. He wasn’t praying for answers; he was praying for the sake of the conversation itself.
So what does this mean for us? It’s a pretty radical shift in how we might approach prayer. Instead of focusing on what we want, we can focus on the fact that we get to have this conversation with HaShem in the first place. It’s like turning prayer into a kind of spiritual hangout session, where the connection is what really matters.
Now, I know this might sound a bit out there—who wouldn’t want their prayers answered? But the idea here isn’t to stop wanting things or to deny that we have needs. It’s about recognizing that the act of praying, the relationship with HaShem, is valuable in itself. Even if the specific request isn’t granted, the fact that you can bring your thoughts, worries, and joys to HaShem is the real gift.
And let’s be real—how many times have we asked for something, gotten it, and then moved on without a second thought? What Noach, Comment 125 is suggesting is that there’s something more enduring, more meaningful, in the conversation than in the outcome. It’s about appreciating the connection and understanding that the dialogue with the divine is an end in itself.
So next time you’re in prayer, maybe try this approach. Instead of focusing on the outcome, focus on the fact that you’re engaging in a conversation with HaShem. Enjoy the moment, appreciate the connection, and remember that the true reward might not be what you’re asking for, but the fact that you get to ask at all.
In the end, Noach, Comment 125 invites us to see prayer not as a means to an end, but as an ongoing relationship. It’s about finding joy in the process, in the act of speaking and being heard. And who knows? Maybe by focusing on the conversation itself, we’ll discover a deeper, more fulfilling way to connect with HaShem, one that’s not dependent on outcomes but on the simple, profound act of being in divine company.
This blog is in the zechut of Sima Sara rivka bas malka baila Fruma and Tzvi hirsch ben rivka may they have complete emuna and success in all their endeavors as well as klal Israel.
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