B"H
Wednesday, Kislev 13, 5779 / November 21, 2018
The Torah reading for this Shabbat is Parshat Vayishlach.
After spending 20 years with his father-in-law, Lavan, Yaakov and his family leave to go back to his parents, Yitzchak and Rivkah. On the way, he is told that his brother Esau, who still hates him for taking his father's blessings, is coming with four hundred men to kill him.
Yaakovprayed to G-d for help, "Save me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau for I fear him that he may come and smite me, the mothers and the children". At the same time, Yaakov sends his brothers gifts to convince him to make peace. He also, as a last resort, prepares for war with his brother.
The three daily prayers were established by our patriarchs: Abraham, the morning prayer; Yitzchak, the afternoon prayer; and Yaakov, the evening prayer.
Q. Why is Yaakov associated with the evening prayer?
A. Evening is a time of darkness, so too, Yaakov’s life was full of trials and tribulations. First, he has to flee his brother who wants to kill him. Then, for twenty years, he suffers from his father-in-law. When he finally returns home, he again encounters Esau who wants to kill him and his family. Then, his daughter Dina is forcibly taken away by Shchem. Later, the Torah tells us how the brothers sell Joseph into slavery. Yaakov’s life story was full of misery and darkness. The evening service, through which we connect to G-d and pray at the time of darkness symbolizes the prayer of Yaakov.
Our sages explain the value of the daily prayers: A king had an only child whom he loved dearly. Each day, he would come to his father for his daily allowance. Even when the prince grew older and lived on his own he visited his father every day to receive his daily allowance.
One day, the son said to his father, "Why should I have to bother you each day? Wouldn't it be easier if you gave me a month's allowance at one time?"
The father agreed and as a result, the son began coming once a month. Eventually, the son asked his father to give him the full allowance for the entire year. When the year was up, his father said, "From now on, I will go back to giving you your needs daily."
When the son protested, the father explained. "You should know that there is no greater pleasure for me than to see you and talk to you. When you needed me every day, you came to me each day; but as soon as I gave you your needs once a month or once a year, you completely forgot about me until the next time you required something. It is better for both of us if you come every day!
The same is with our prayers. Praying three times daily places us in G-d’s presence daily.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY