Daily Sicha

There's a known expression by the Alter Rebbe (in his Igros Kodesh) that "those that say prayers because of rabbinic directive did not see lights in their lives " because prayer relates to all aspects of Torah and mitzvos. Nevertheless we find an opinion that prayer ins't considered one of the 248 positive commandments! This is akin to the spine that supports the entire body and due to that isn't counted as one of the parts of the body. This is because it has no intrinsic essence.

The explanation: physical commandments need a "soul" to vivify them. This is accomplished thru prayer. Therefore one who says prayer isn't from Torah is like saying that "you shall be holy" isn't from the Torah. Nevertheless it's a highly spiritual thing (like the spine which doesn't manifest itself as a bone per se). Prayer isn't counted with physical commandments that involve physical organs.

And this is what R. Yonason said "would that a person pray the entire day", this is because prayer connects man with G-d and this is the inner essence of all the commandments. Moreover, prayer introduces "lights" throught the entire day!


 משיחת שמחת בית השואבה ה'תש"כ