Parshas Vayechi
“Asher lakachti m’yad ha’emori b’charbi u’bkashti” (Chaf Beis)
The targum on this Pasuk defines the word B’charbi as “Tzalusi – Prayer” and the word “B’kashti as “Vahusi – Supplication”. What are the differences between these two modes of prayer?
Our precious Siddur and seder Hatefiloh which was enacted by the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah is defined as Tzlausi – Prayer. This is where we use the power and dynamite of our Forefathers, Avraham, Yiztchok and Yaakov who each created the respective Tefilos of Shacharis, Mincha and Ma’ariv (“Avraham Tikein Tefilos Shacharis, Yitzchok Tikein Tefilas Mincha, Yaakov Tikein Tefilas Ma’ariv”). Our Avos Hakedoshim infused these Tefilos with their special energies and when we repeat these Tefilos, it is their spiuritual energy which carries our Prayers up to the Kisei Hakavod! The 2nd mode of Prayer, called “Vahusi”, is where a Jew calls out to Hashem outside of the framework of our (3 times) daily Tefilos. Indeed, there is a dispute between the Rambam & the Ramban regarding which one of these two modes of Prayer are more ‘Lchatchila”. Rambam holds that a person is mechuyav to be mispallel at least 1 short Tefila each day. However, the Ramban argues and says there is no Chiyav M’daoraisah to be Mispallel every day and it is only when a Jew finds himself in a difficult situation that he becomes Mechuyav M’daoraisah to cry out to Hashem to save him from the Tzara (we do not pasken like the Ramban). Essentially, the Ramban holds that the mode of “Vahusi – Suppliaction, is even more important than our standard mode of Tefilah.
What is an exmaple of supplication? Supplication is not dependant on our Siddur and is not limited to the zemanim of Shachris, Mincha or Ma’ariv. Whereas a person who davens the daily Tefilos, will use the wings of our Avos to reach Hashems’ throne, a person who calls out from personal pain to the Ribbono Shel Olam – and at any time of the day, is sure to reach the Kisei Hakavod on their own!
<Heard from Rav Shimshon Pincus>
