Weekly Tefilah Focus

Section 2

Introduction

As suggested last week, the beautiful and powerful tefilah of Ahavah Rabah is naturally connected with Birchos HaTorah. Since the Tefilah Focus program is built on constant review, we are taking the opportunity to review this crucial brachah. We have divided the series of 20 segments into ten sections. The following is Section 2, which includes Segments 2, 3, and 4.

We conclude the brachah by referring to Hashem as the “melamed,” the teacher. We affirm: “You, Hashem, are the constant source of blessing, the One Who teaches Torah to His nation Yisrael.”

Introduction

The beautiful and powerful tefilah of Ahavah Rabah is naturally connected with Birchos HaTorah. In fact, if one is uncertain as to whether he can recite Birchos HaTorah, one of the primary alternatives is to have in mind when reciting this brachah of Ahavah Rabah to fulfill the mitzvah of Birchos HaTora

I want you to think about a concept that nobody talks about. You won’t hear your rav speak about this on Shabbos. You won’t read an article on this subject in any Jewish magazine, and you certainly won’t hear any politician speak this way. I am referring to the important aspect of fighting the Jewish enemy and, while extremely difficult and painful, how it is an integral – and necessary – part of our national life.

Asher bachar banu mi’kol ha’amim, v’nasan lanu es Toraso…

V’haarev na Hashem Elokeinu es divrei Soras’cha b’finu u’v’fi amcha beis Yisrael…