T99 PNC - And I Pleaded — Never Abandon Prayer / Devekus (2 segs)

Opening verse: 'And I pleaded with God at that time, saying' (Deuteronomy 3:23 — Moses's prayer to enter the Land of Israel). A person must strive to pray with devekus — deep attachment and cleaving to God. But if at times a person finds himself unable to pray with proper devekus or concentration, he must not say: 'Since I cannot pray properly, I will not pray at all.' This would be a grave error. The obligation to pray exists regardless of one's spiritual state.

The Talmud (Berachot 34b) teaches about Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa, who would pray for the sick — and he would know whether his prayer was accepted or not based on whether the words flowed smoothly in his mouth. This is the model: even the greatest tzaddik sometimes has prayers that flow and sometimes doesn't. What matters is the attempt. The prayer, even imperfect, even without full concentration, still ascends and still has effect. Rabbeinu emphasizes: never abandon prayer because you feel unworthy or distracted. Go before God in any state — even stuttering, even confused — and the very act of approaching Him is itself precious.