D'var Torah: "And Avraham built an altar and called out to the Name of HaShem” (Bereishis 12:4). Humankind is created in the image of HaShem. Just as HaShem has intelligence and the faculty of speech, so too, human beings possess intelligence and the power of speech. The correlation between intelligence and speech allows us to express our thoughts into words. On a deeper level, HaShem endowed us with the gift of speech so that we have the opportunity to pray! We find that Avraham Avinu often “called out to HaShem.” We are fortunate to know HaShem through the legacy that we received from Avraham Avinu, who was the first person to recognize HaShem. Viability is not the only reason that intelligence and speech is found in humans. In the spiritual realm, intelligence gives us the insight to recognize HaShem, and speech give us the opportunity to cry out to HaShem whenever we need His help, love, or counsel.
Moral: Prayer is the synthesis of intelligence and speech. Through our intelligence we attain the awareness of HaShem, and through our speech we call out to HaShem to deliver us from all our troubles.
Application: Reflect on the verse, "And Avraham built an altar and called out to the Name of HaShem.” Envision Avraham Avinu contemplating on HaShem, Creator of heaven and earth. As he journeys through Eretz Yisrael, Avraham Avinu pauses at certain locations and offers heartfelt prayers to HaShem. Think about the inimitable power and holiness of HaShem. Seize the opportunity to pray to HaShem for all of your needs and thank Him for the unbounded goodness that He constantly showers upon you.
(Based on Chochma U’Mussar of the Saba M’Kelm)
