The Power of Prayer (Parashat V'Etchanan)

"I implored Hashem at that time, saying, 'My Lord...Please let me cross and see the good land that is on the other side of the Jordan...'"

Rashi explains that the word ואתחנן - I implored - has an alternate meaning of I prayed.  From that interpretation, we can learn that Moshe prayed to Hashem for two things: to cross the Jordan and to see the land on the other side.

A few pasukim later, we are told Hashem's response: "Ascend to the top of the cliff and raise your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward, and see with your eyes, for you shall not cross this Jordan."  Rashi, again, comments that the statement for "and see with your eyes" was in response to Moshe's second request - to see the land on the other side.

From this we see that, although he did not get "everything" he asked for, Moshe prayed to Hashem and Hashem granted his request.  For those who will ask, "why couldn't Hashem grant him both requests?" - look two pasukim earlier for your answer...  Hashem says to Moshe "It is much for you!"  Rashi explains this pasuk to mean that Hashem has something greater in store for Moshe.

I used to have hanging in my office a picture that read

"G-d's 3 answers to your prayers:

1. Yes

2. Not Yet

3. I have something better in mind"

In this weeks parasha we see that Moshe received all three answers.  To his request of seeing the land, Hashem told him yes.  To his request of crossing the Jordan, Hashem said "no - I have something better in mind."

We do not understand Hashem's reasoning behind what he does.  For this reason, it is easy for us to get angry and frustrated when things don't go our way.  It may seem to us as though Hashem is ignoring our pleas.  However, if we just look at the first two paragraphs of this weeks parasha, we can understand that when we pray, Hashem does hear us and He does answer us - sometimes it may not be the answer we think we want - but at the end of the day, we must remember that Hashem knows what is best for us.

May we all be zoche to improve our tefilla - to appreciate and understand that Hashem is always listening to us.  In doing so, may all of our prayers be answered and may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!