So Near to Me

Rebbe Natan of Breslev discusses an apparent paradox in spirituality (see Likutei Halachot, Yura Dea, Hilchot Mezuza, 5): From one standpoint, a person should realize how far he is from Hashem. On the other hand, he should realize that Hashem is everywhere, and in His magnificent mercy, He gives us the power of speech. All we have to do is call His name, and all of a sudden, He’s right there with us, as King David said (Psalm 145: 18), “Hashem is near to all those who call Him, to those who call Him in truth.”

Isaiah the Prophet said (57:19), “He gives us speech – peace to the far and the near.” This passage means that by way of speech, even an unrighteous person that’s far away from Hashem can come close to Hashem and attain the blessing of true inner peace and peace of mind by speaking to Him.

Let’s be honest – when a person first comes close to Hashem after years of being far away, speaking to Hashem is not the easy in most cases. Even so, Rebbe Nachman warned us to strengthen ourselves and not to give up. Sometimes a person sets aside an hour for personal prayer only to open his mouth and nothing comes out! He shouldn’t lose heart, for the mere desire to talk to Hashem invokes phenomenal Divine compassion and gratification. Ultimately, He who gives us the power of speech will also give us the words to speak to Him. As such, the words we speak to Hashem are cherished gems that are Divinely influenced. If we realized the true value of personal prayer, we’d spend every available moment speaking to Hashem.

Moses described himself as “heavy of tongue” (Exodus 4:10), that he found speech most difficult. Hashem dismissed that claim and said (ibid, 11), “Who gives a person the power of speech…I do! I am Hashem!” Hashem opens the mouths of those who seek him with strong and unswerving desire, giving them the words to speak to Him.

So really, as Rebbe Natan teaches, there’s no paradox at all. Even though we deserve nothing by virtue of our own merit, Hashem is always near to us by virtue of His mercy. Hashem’s proximity is an important benefit of emuna that enables us to turn to Him at any time, at any place, in any circumstance, seven days a week, twenty four hours a day, whether we’re deserving or not. By virtue of Hashem’s mercy, there’s no room for despair ever.

Rebbe Natan promises that even though we’re far away from Hashem, by way of speech and prayer, Hashem is suddenly near. As such, the power of speech and the words of one’s prayers are superb receptacles of Divine abundance.

We can now understand what King David says (Psalm 20:10), “Hashem will save us, The King will answer on the day that we call Him.” When will Hashem save us? On the day that we call Him!

So, even if you have trouble finding the words to speak to Hashem, set aside an hour a day just to be alone with Him. With perseverance, desire, and a strong yearning, Hashem will soon give you a wealth of words that flow from your heart. Anyone who has experienced a true outpouring of the soul in personal prayer won’t want to forfeit a single daily personal prayer session his entire life. Even more so, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev promised that anyone who spends an hour a day in personal prayer will certainly attain his soul correction. Eventually, one who is steadfast about devoting an hour a day to personal prayer will be able to speak to Hashem in an uninhibited manner.

In the following letter, Rebbe Natan encourages his son to devote an hour a day to personal prayer:

“…what weakens a person is the feeling that the prayers are of no use, until he drifts away from Hashem and loses faith in his power of calling out to Hashem. Happy is the person who verbalizes his desires, aspirations, and inner thoughts to Hashem every single day. It doesn’t matter whether his speech is refined or not, or whether he’s capable of speaking at all. No matter what, however it turns out, we should strengthen ourselves to call out to Hashem and to speak to Him any way we can, for not a single utterance is lost; not even a desire to utter a word is lost!”

Rebbe Natan writes in Likutei Halachot (Choshen Mishpat, Oseh Shalich 3) that, “There is no wisdom, advice, or ploy more effective than speaking to Hashem in an hour a day of personal prayer… The loftiness of individual personal prayer is beyond comprehension… Such prayers ascend unobstructed straight to the Heavenly throne…”