There are times in our lives where we can feel Hashem's presence so closely, and other times where we feel like He is nowhere to be found.
For each of us, these times differ. Maybe our point of connection with Hashem is watching a beautiful sunrise or maybe it is spending time with our grandparents at the Shabbas table. For others, they might feel deeply connected to Hashem through times of pain and loss. These sources will explore each of our own connections to Hashem and how we can bring His light into the seemingly dark world, where sometimes, we feel as if Hashem is hidden.
For each of us, these times differ. Maybe our point of connection with Hashem is watching a beautiful sunrise or maybe it is spending time with our grandparents at the Shabbas table. For others, they might feel deeply connected to Hashem through times of pain and loss. These sources will explore each of our own connections to Hashem and how we can bring His light into the seemingly dark world, where sometimes, we feel as if Hashem is hidden.
Source 1
(י) וְהִ֖יא מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל עַל־יְהוָ֖ה וּבָכֹ֥ה תִבְכֶּֽה׃
(10) In her wretchedness, she prayed to the LORD, weeping all the while.
(כ) וַיְהִי֙ לִתְקֻפ֣וֹת הַיָּמִ֔ים וַתַּ֥הַר חַנָּ֖ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֤א אֶת־שְׁמוֹ֙ שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י מֵיְהוָ֖ה שְׁאִלְתִּֽיו׃
(20) Hannah conceived, and at the turn of the year bore a son. She named him Samuel, meaning, “I asked the LORD for him.”
From Shmuel aleph, we see that Chana was barren. After tirelessly davening and pouring her heart out to Hashem, she had a son - he became the prophet Shmuel. It can be seen that because of her davening, Hashem gave her a son.
As yidden, we know that in times of great distress, we turn to Hashem through prayer. From when we davened for the release of captured Israeli soldiers until now when we say tehillim for our friends in need, we know we can always turn to Hashem.
Points to discuss
- If we come together as a community to ask for Hashem's help in healing another Jew, or saving someone from danger, why are we often disappointed with the outcome of our prayers?
- Do you feel more distant from Hashem when He seemingly 'ignores' your prayers?
- A Rabbi once told me, "Hashem did answer your prayers, just not with the answer you were expecting" - do you agree with this? Why or why not?
As yidden, we know that in times of great distress, we turn to Hashem through prayer. From when we davened for the release of captured Israeli soldiers until now when we say tehillim for our friends in need, we know we can always turn to Hashem.
Points to discuss
- If we come together as a community to ask for Hashem's help in healing another Jew, or saving someone from danger, why are we often disappointed with the outcome of our prayers?
- Do you feel more distant from Hashem when He seemingly 'ignores' your prayers?
- A Rabbi once told me, "Hashem did answer your prayers, just not with the answer you were expecting" - do you agree with this? Why or why not?
Source 2
Rabbi David Ashear:
A boy who was very sick said that during his illness, every one of his prayers was like Neilah on Yom Kippur. He never felt as close to Hashem as he did then. Situations that force a person to pray extra hard are good for him. We pray not to be challenged only because we are afraid of not handling it properly. However, if a person does find himself in a situation where he needs a salvation, he should use the opportunity to get as close to Hashem as he can.
Moreover, a person should not get depressed if he doesn't see an answer to his prayers. First, the Rabbis tell us that every prayer is answered and will be used to bring about a benefit. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually it will be used. It could be for us, our children, or the Jewish People at large. More importantly, the prayers themselves are accomplishing far more than the fulfillment of the request. They are bringing us closer to our Creator.
A boy who was very sick said that during his illness, every one of his prayers was like Neilah on Yom Kippur. He never felt as close to Hashem as he did then. Situations that force a person to pray extra hard are good for him. We pray not to be challenged only because we are afraid of not handling it properly. However, if a person does find himself in a situation where he needs a salvation, he should use the opportunity to get as close to Hashem as he can.
Moreover, a person should not get depressed if he doesn't see an answer to his prayers. First, the Rabbis tell us that every prayer is answered and will be used to bring about a benefit. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually it will be used. It could be for us, our children, or the Jewish People at large. More importantly, the prayers themselves are accomplishing far more than the fulfillment of the request. They are bringing us closer to our Creator.
Thoughts to discuss
- Can you think of a time where something tragic or heartbreaking bought you closer to Hashem?
- Do you feel closer to Hashem in times of overwhelming joy or deep sadness?
- Do you feel comforted by the fact that your prayers might be answered at a 'later stage' or 'used up' when the time is right, for a person who needs it?
- Can you think of a time where something tragic or heartbreaking bought you closer to Hashem?
- Do you feel closer to Hashem in times of overwhelming joy or deep sadness?
- Do you feel comforted by the fact that your prayers might be answered at a 'later stage' or 'used up' when the time is right, for a person who needs it?
From these two sources, Shmuel aleph and Rabbi David's story, we see that people in distress turn to prayer to beseech Hashem's help and mercy.
In your opinion, do you think that there are other ways to seek Hashem other than praying?
In your opinion, do you think that there are other ways to seek Hashem other than praying?
Source 3 - An analogy to think about:
Have you ever played a game of hide and seek, and the people playing all decide to change the rules? First, the 'hiders' decide that they are going to hide in the hardest places they can, so that nobody will be able to find them. Then, you decide it will be a great idea to hide somewhere obvious so that you can be the next person to seek. Finally, the seeker decides to give up on finding all the people who are hidden in hard-to-find places, so he just hides too. In the end, you are the only one looking for the other players, and everyone else seems to have stopped playing and completely vanished. Where does that leave you?
Often, in our lives, the seeker is like Hashem, and we are like the hiders. We bury ourselves deep into our studies, our friendships and our possessions. We forget that Hashem is waiting to find us, and to bring us close to Him. We preoccupy ourselves with external things and ignore our desire to connect with Hashem.
Often, when we decide to seek Hashem's presence in our lives, we feel that Hashem has now started to conceal Himself from us. We look everywhere and try everything we can to get Him to reveal Himself, but often feel disheartened when we do not see Him immediately. But Hashem is not like the normal 'hiders' who will do everything He can to not be found, He is one of the obvious hiders, the ones who want you to find them so they can begin to seek.
Often, in our lives, the seeker is like Hashem, and we are like the hiders. We bury ourselves deep into our studies, our friendships and our possessions. We forget that Hashem is waiting to find us, and to bring us close to Him. We preoccupy ourselves with external things and ignore our desire to connect with Hashem.
Often, when we decide to seek Hashem's presence in our lives, we feel that Hashem has now started to conceal Himself from us. We look everywhere and try everything we can to get Him to reveal Himself, but often feel disheartened when we do not see Him immediately. But Hashem is not like the normal 'hiders' who will do everything He can to not be found, He is one of the obvious hiders, the ones who want you to find them so they can begin to seek.
Source 4
"When Hashem feels the furthest from you, He is the closest and when Hashem feels the closest to you, He is the furthest"
One interpretation of this idea can be that when you feel Hashem is far from your reality, He is concealing Himself and helping you along the way.
- But what does the second part mean 'when Hashem feels the closest to you, He is the furthest'?
- Does this idea represent your relationship with Hashem?
One interpretation of this idea can be that when you feel Hashem is far from your reality, He is concealing Himself and helping you along the way.
- But what does the second part mean 'when Hashem feels the closest to you, He is the furthest'?
- Does this idea represent your relationship with Hashem?