By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

This week’s Parsha discusses the Korbanos/ offerings which people would bring in the time of the Beis Hamikdash. Since the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash these offerings are not available to us as a means of connecting with Hashem. Instead, we are told, it is through prayer that a person can connect. And so in honor of this week’s Parsha I would like to discuss two ideas that can make prayer more meaningful to us all.

In our generation, making prayer meaningful is a most apropos topic. While the need for prayer and divine protection has never been greater, the distractions and challenges to proper prayer have likewise never been greater. Take, for example, the cell-phone challenge.

With mobile devices being used by billions, and with it hard to count the types of devices available even by using the fingers of both hands, the cell-phone challenge can be experienced in almost every minyan. Sometimes it is the conventional ring tone of someone who forgot to adjust their phone before entering the shul. Sometimes it is a ringtone symphony that reveals some of the owner’s deepest relationships. There is a ringtone for sports fans of every type. There is even a special ringtone that I have heard for those who are blessed with great interpersonal blessings. It goes: “Pick up, pick up… it’s your mother-in-law.”

In some cases people are so conditioned to pick up the phone when it rings, that they do… even in the middle of prayers. Certainly, a cell phone strategy is in order if we are to attempt meaningful prayer.

I am reminded of a European farmer who was the first in his town to obtain a phone. All his neighbors came to marvel at his new acquisition and waited to see what would happen when a person would finally call. They waited for hours, and as they waited the man’s wife decided to serve him lunch. He sat down to eat as the people continued to wait.

Suddenly the phone rang.

The people got all excited. They wanted to see what would happen when the farmer would pick up the phone. But the farmer continued eating his lunch as if he hadn’t a concern in the world.

The people squealed with excitement. They called to the farmer to come and pick up the receiver. But the farmer didn’t move. He continued to eat his lunch with utmost serenity. By the tenth ring the urging of the crowd had reached a crescendo. But the farmer simply responded, “I installed the phone for my convenience… Right now it is not convenient.”

A mentor of mine pointed out that a cell phone can actually serve as a great inspiration for meaningful prayer. Many people have trouble praying. They say it is hard, “because I can’t see Him.” But interestingly enough, they have no trouble speaking on a cell phone, even though they “can’t see him or her.”

Meaningful prayer depends on reciting one’s words with the knowledge that He is listening.

Yes, the cell-phone would definitely be a useful topic for an article.

Yet, I choose instead to talk about a different practical strategy for meaningful prayer. It is called Segula D’Rashi.

The segulah/ advice is based on the commentary of Rashi to the Talmud, A.Z. 8a, where Rashi states, “If someone needs something, let him state his request in a lengthy way.” The simple understanding is that a person should add words to the prayers and elaborate on the topics that he needs most. But Segulah D’Rashi teaches that one need not necessarily add words. Instead simply say the words of the formulated prayer in a lengthy way (i.e. slower). That alone will make the prayer most effective.

For example if a person perceives a personal need for wisdom and good counsel, let him articulate the words of the appropriate prayer, patiently and with great care. “You, G-d… give wisdom…to mankind…Please grant us wisdom.” Or, if a person is in need of financial success, let him recite the words of that prayer with great deliberation. “Place blessing…upon us…and satisfy us…from Your goodness.”

After the recent tragic event in Toulouse, France, one might decide, in addition to mourning the terrible loss, to also contemplate some of its cause. We are well aware that there remains a significant population that preaches hate as their cultural mantra. And they often do so in the name of G-d. The responsibility for the destruction that they cause rests, not only on them, but on anyone in society who supports, tolerates, or harbors such criminals. To quote a former President (in what was considered a great moment of revelation), “A friend of a terrorist is also a terrorist.”

And so, if you choose to employ Segulah D’Rashi you might choose to employ it on the sacred words of our daily prayers. “See in our affliction…and fight our quarrel…and redeem us…in Your Name.” Say the words slowly and deliberately, and may the request be heard to provide great protection to us all.

In one of the communities in which I have lived there is a shul that prides itself as being the fastest in the region. They claim that they “Can get you in, and get you out, faster than any other shul in town.” At a 28 minute weekday shacharis their claim might very well be accurate.

But I contend that it is not correct.

To daven properly, and to experience a personal revelation-like high from the experience, one cannot be so rushed. It really does take more than just shutting the ringtone to experience communication with Hashem. It requires that we slow down. It requires that we choose a phrase or two that are most meaningful to us, and recite those words in a slow, deliberate, and meaningful way.

The results from slowing down more than pay for the effort. Besides resulting in effective prayer, such an effort will result in a sense that you have truly communicated with Hashem. When you are done you will have a distinct urge to say to Hashem, “It was really nice talking to You today.”

So, “Slow Down!” And when you are finished, listen closely and you will hear the Divine response. “Yes… it was really nice listening to you today. I hope you have a great day.”