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Breaking chains (Pixabay)
Chains and cages constrain so many people, in the literal and metaphorical sense; freedom is limited, dreams are destroyed, and life is muted. We learn in Masechet Berachot (5b) that, generally, “A prisoner cannot free himself from prison,” and this could be discouraging, framing our lives and experiences as objects affected by and dependent on others. However, this is not always the case, and while at times prisoners literally cannot free themselves, we all have the power to free the inner life of ourselves, to attain true freedom.
What is
tefillah? It’s a question that addresses something so basic, so foundational to our daily living as a Jew and human that we almost never entertain it. Mistakenly translated “prayer,” which is derived from the Latin word meaning “to beg,”
tefillah plays a central role in our identity, but its true relevance, meaning, and power are not always clear. Rabbi David Aaron shared a profound insight on the nature of
tefillah, one that can transform how we relate to and experience its beauty and wonder.
In Parshat Vayechi, the saga of Yosef and his brothers ends, as Yaakov gifts each of his children with