For Tefillah to Work, You Must Believe in It

I recently merited making the acquaintance of a very dedicated, creative fourth-grade rebbi, who shared an effective tactic he uses to illustrate the incredible opportunity we have when we beseech Hashem with our tefillah.

In front of his talmidim, this rebbi calls the White House on speaker phone and asks to speak with the president. When, as expected, he receives a negative response, he presses further and asks the receptionist why his call cannot be put through. He is then informed — sometimes patiently, sometimes not — what it takes to merit a personal conversation with the leader of the free world. The rebbi then thanks the receptionist and hangs up.

He turns to his boys and contrasts the difficulty of speaking to the president with the open-door policy that allows us to approach the Melech Malchei Hamelachim whenever we choose. We are encouraged to pick up our siddur or Tehillim and talk away to the listening Ear on the other end of the line. Better yet, we are granted a personal audience with Him! The lesson is never lost on anyone.

The Yom Tov of Pesach is replete with teaching moments. Although the focus of our preparations is on readying the house and preparing for the Seder, there is a second part of the Yom Tov that shouldn’t be neglected. Shvii shel Pesach, the anniversary of Kri’as Yam Suf, offers numerous lessons all its own. It is not really included in the narrative of the Haggadah, because the mitzvah of sippur yetzias Mitzrayim centers on the night of our redemption. Nevertheless it surely was an integral part of the geulah and deserves our attention. (As an aside, the Mishnah Berurah quotes early sources that one merits forgiveness if he recites Shiras Hayam with joy, even on a regular weekday.) One of the lessons of Kri’as Yam Suf would be appreciated by those fourth-graders, as well the rest of us.