Miller's Musings Parshas Vo'eschanon: Something for Nothing

בס''ד

The etymology of a word in Loshon Hakodesh is like that of no other language.  Whereas in other languages there need be no relationship between a word and the sections of the word that make it up, in Loshon Hakodesh every word is in some way the sum of its constituent parts and very much related to them.  The word “וָאֶתְחַנָּן” is a word that means to entreat, but as per our opening remarks, is there more to the word than immediately meets the eye?

There are various ways in which a person can ask for something and various intentions behind the asking.  One person may ask feeling fully within their right to ask, another with a sense of entitlement, whilst another may demand with an absolute feeling of being owed for what they have requested.  The word וָאֶתְחַנָּן  actually includes the word חנם meaning “nothing”, because any request that we ask from Hashem in this way is based on the acknowledgement that Hashem owes us absolutely nothing.  The Slonimer Rebbe zt’l explains that a Tzaddik when asking anything from The Creator does so fully cognizant of the fact that nothing that we ever do can in any way equate with the amount that Hashem has done, does and will do for us.  Our entire existence and everything that we have is only through the benevolence of Hashem and any small amount that we do ‘for Him’ pales in comparison to His kindnesses.

We all have times when we turn to Hashem for help.  This is how He wants it.  He wants us to connect with Him in this way and develop our relationship with Him.   How we daven though can determine not only the success of our prayers but also the extent to which we strengthen our bond with Him.  Acknowledging just how much we owe to Him by pleading with the feeling that there is absolutely no obligation on His part, further deepens our dependence on Him and our gratitude towards Him.  Taking a moment before prayer to appreciate and recognize all He has given us helps to generate a Tefilla that will achieve its purpose both for us and for the One who is the Provider of everything we have.

*May Shabbos further strengthen our Tefilla*

                                                                                                                    

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

 

לרפואה שלימה:  שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר