Hashem Always Answers Our Prayers—In His Own Way

In Parashat Chukat, Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu that he will not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. Parashat Va’etchanan begins with Moshe’s heartfelt plea that this decree be overturned: “Let me cross over, I pray, and see the good land beyond the Jordan.”

Moshe’s prayer contains two requests. He asks to cross the Jordan and enter the Land, and he asks to see its beauty. In the end, only one request is granted. Hashem allows Moshe to see Eretz Yisrael from the top of the mountain, but not to enter it. From here our Chazal teach a remarkable lesson about the power of prayer tefillah.

Moshe’s lifetime of Torah, leadership, and countless mitzvot did not change the decree. Yet his tefillah was not in vain. Although it did not bring everything he asked for, it achieved something real. Half of his request was fulfilled. Tefillah always has an effect, even when........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)