אות - רלג

I heard from a certain man from his people that once Rabbainu, o.b.m., spoke with him about clothing. And he told him that one must pray about everything. That is — if his garment is torn and he needs a garment, he should pray to Hashem Yisburach that He give him a garment to wear. And similarly in everything of this sort — great matter or small matter. About everything he should habituate himself to pray always to Hashem Yisburach for whatever he lacks — even though the essence is to pray about the essence: namely, for the service of Hashem Yisburach, to merit to draw close to Him Yisburach. Even so, one must also pray about this.

And he said: One who does not conduct himself thus — even though Hashem Yisburach gives him clothing and livelihood and the necessities of his life — all his life is like an animal, for Hashem Yisburach also gives the animal its bread, etc. So too is his life that Hashem Yisburach gives him. For since he does not draw all his life and needs from Hashem Yisburach through prayer — therefore all his life is literally like the life of an animal. For a person must draw all his life and needs from Hashem Yisburach specifically through prayer and supplication.

And I myself also heard this from his holy mouth about a very small and very insignificant matter that I somewhat needed. And he said: Pray to Hashem Yisburach about this. And I stood astonished. For it seemed to me a wondrous thing to pray to Hashem Yisburach about such an insignificant thing. And also because it was not very necessary. He answered and said (in a tone of wonder): Is it not your honor to pray to Hashem Yisburach about such a small thing?! And afterward he told a small story about trust even in small matters from a certain man from Mezhibuzh. And the general rule is: about every matter in the world one must pray to Hashem Yisburach. And likewise it is explained in the Alef-Beis — see there.[420]

420. RAK: In Sefer HaMidos [the Alef-Beis], Prayer, section 37.