Pipeline Torah Gem #918 2026-03-22: A Link with Hashem
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Vaughn Seward
Mar 23, 2026, 5:23:51 PMMar 23
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A Link with Hashem
"If one turns his ear from hearing the Torah, his prayer too, will be [considered] an abomination." (Proverbs 18:9)
Prayer is not merely a petition for one's needs. Rather, it is a means of spiritual growth and bonding with the Creator, but this is stifled when one distances himself from the Torah (Michtav MeEliyahu). If a scholar is not interested in hearing someone else's words of Torah, Hashem will have no interest in hearing his words of prayer (Metzudos). Alshich adds that if the scholar has no interest because he has already learned the topic, Hashem may tell him, as it were, "And I have heard the same prayer from you numerous times before."
R' Aharon also explains that both Torah and prayer form a link between a person and Hashem. Through Torah, a person connects to God's word, and through prayer he communes with Hashem. This concept is found in Maharal (Nesiv HaAvodah Ch. 2). He explains that prayer attaches a person to Hashem, even when he petitions for his physical needs. However, if he ignores Torah study, then his prayer is merely a series of requests for bodily well-being, and this God abhors.
Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 245.
Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
_________________
Yiddish Corner
A patsh in ponim
A slap in the face
Geyen mit der pushke
Pass a charity-box around
Opvishn dos moyl
[or: Opvisn di lipn]
Maintain silence; seal one's mouth / lips
Makhn emetsn oystsudreyn
[lit. making someone turn out]
Make a monkey of someone
"If one turns his ear from hearing the Torah, his prayer too, will be [considered] an abomination." (Proverbs 18:9)
Prayer is not merely a petition for one's needs. Rather, it is a means of spiritual growth and bonding with the Creator, but this is stifled when one distances himself from the Torah (Michtav MeEliyahu). If a scholar is not interested in hearing someone else's words of Torah, Hashem will have no interest in hearing his words of prayer (Metzudos). Alshich adds that if the scholar has no interest because he has already learned the topic, Hashem may tell him, as it were, "And I have heard the same prayer from you numerous times before."
R' Aharon also explains that both Torah and prayer form a link between a person and Hashem. Through Torah, a person connects to God's word, and through prayer he communes with Hashem. This concept is found in Maharal (Nesiv HaAvodah Ch. 2). He explains that prayer attaches a person to Hashem, even when he petitions for his physical needs. However, if he ignores Torah study, then his prayer is merely a series of requests for bodily well-being, and this God abhors.
Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 245.
Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
_________________
Yiddish Corner
A patsh in ponim
A slap in the face
Geyen mit der pushke
Pass a charity-box around
Opvishn dos moyl
[or: Opvisn di lipn]
Maintain silence; seal one's mouth / lips
Makhn emetsn oystsudreyn
[lit. making someone turn out]
Make a monkey of someone
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