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What Does Hashem Want?

As we begin this period of 40 days of unique opportunity and closeness to Hashem, we will focus our segments on one of the Request Brachos in Shemoneh Esrei. Out of all the requests we make in our Shemoneh Esrei, there is only one request that clearly and explicitly is what Hashem desires, as opposed to what we desire. This request is, in fact, also the core focus of these 40 days.

Al Kein 7

v’simloch aleihem m’heirah l’olam va’ed

Shemoneh Esrei 22

Oh, to be one unified family!

Hashiveinu Avinu l’sorasecha, v’keirvanu Malkeinu la’avodasecha, v’hachazireinu bis’shuvah sh’leimah l’fanecha

(Sources: Sifsei Chaim Beur Tefillas Shemoneh Esrei, Midos veAvodas Hashem, Tefillah Vaad Beis, Rav Schwab, Iyun Tefillah, Shemoneh Esrei, Nesiv Bina)

In “What Does Hashem Want – part 1,” we wrote about the crucial importance of the brachah of “Hashiveinu” in Shemoneh Esrei and suggested that we place great emphasis on this brachah at least until after Yom Kippur.

(Sources: Sifsei Chaim, Beur Tefillas Shemone Esrei, Sefer HaChinuch, Rav Schwab, Iyun Tefillah, Nesiv Binah, Gateway to Happiness)

 The Gemara in Berachos (30b) teaches that one’s inner posture at the outset of Shemone Esrei is significant. A person should not begin prayer out of grief, nor from laziness, levity, or idle chatter. All of these states undermine kavanah. Rather, one must approach Shemone Esrei with koved rosh—a sense of gravity and presence. The Gemara explains that this koved rosh is not somberness, but simchah shel mitzvah—the joy that flows from spiritual purpose.