Rav Levi Yitzchak Bender lived as a humble tzaddik in the Ukraine despite targeted Communist persecution. Because of their dedication to mitzvah observance, he and Rav Eliyahu Chaim Rosen even spent several weeks in a KGB prison, not knowing until the moment of release whether they would be murdered and discarded in an unknown grave.
In the book of his lectures, Words of Faith, Rav Bender stresses the importance of knowing that your prayers and words of Torah are of tremendous significance to Hashem.
ANY mitzvah or holy act is significant in the eyes of God.
On page 325, Vol I, Rav Bender exhorts you to have faith in yourself, explaining that you must say to yourself and to your yetzer hara:
In the book of his lectures, Words of Faith, Rav Bender stresses the importance of knowing that your prayers and words of Torah are of tremendous significance to Hashem.
ANY mitzvah or holy act is significant in the eyes of God.
On page 325, Vol I, Rav Bender exhorts you to have faith in yourself, explaining that you must say to yourself and to your yetzer hara:
“Even my actions, however they may be, are significant. Even my prayer is important in the eyes of Hashem Yitbarach.”
He defines this as “ ‘faith in oneself,’ which is imperative to advance in serving Hashem…”
Rav Bender explains the power of speaking to Hashem in your own words in a focused manner:
“If you merit to say words that come from peace of mind—words of hitbodedut between you and your Maker—they are definitely significant. Moreover, they smash through heavens! They are able to nullify decrees.”
(I’m assuming that “peace of mind” is “yishuv hadaas” in the original Yiddish.)
When a person focuses himself to speak out loud to Hashem, Hashem figuratively turns away from all His preoccupations and listens.
And because Hashem turns away from all His “Business” and all the matters “occupying” Him, He is NOT making decrees.
“Automatically, all decrees are nullified.”
When a person focuses himself to speak out loud to Hashem, Hashem figuratively turns away from all His preoccupations and listens.
And because Hashem turns away from all His “Business” and all the matters “occupying” Him, He is NOT making decrees.
“Automatically, all decrees are nullified.”
So according to Rav Bender, you need to:
- Have faith in yourself & the power of your prayers.
- Know that your heartfelt words and good deeds (however imperfect they may be) are of tremendous significance.
- Clear your mind of other distractions.
- Focus your heart & mind toward Hashem.
- Speak to Hashem as you'd speak to a close & genuinely caring friend.
Rav Bender emphasizes that this is the far-reaching power of ANYONE who “speaks words before Hashem Yitbarach.”
“But,” he concludes, “you need to know this and believe in it.”
“But,” he concludes, “you need to know this and believe in it.”
May we all merit to speak words that smash through the heavens & nullify all negative decrees.
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