Weekly Tefilah Focus

The tefilah of Yaaleh V’Yavo is added to our Shemoneh Esrei and our Birkas HaMazon on Rosh Chodesh and on yamim tovim. Before we begin looking at the words, it is essential to try to understand the theme of this beautiful tefilah.

A Permanent Place In The House Of Hashem

 Elul is both a time of preparation for Rosh HaShanah and a time of ratzon on its own. These are days filled with opportunity because Hashem is closest to us at this time of year.

HaRav Avigdor Miller and HaRav Shlomo Wolbe both point out that the Siddur is one of the oldest sources of Written and Oral Torah. Most of what we say was formulated by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly (Anshei K’neses HaG’dolah), which was comprised of the last of the Prophets and the earliest of the Tana’im. Most of P’sukei D’Zimrah is from T’hilim, compiled by David HaMelech. Therefore, it is Torah study of the highest order. HaRav Avigdor Miller (Praise, My Soul!) writes:

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Understanding Our Role As a Tzelem Elokim

Avinu Malkeinu, hachazireinu bit’shuvah sh’leimah l’fanecha.

Our Father, our King, return us to You in perfect repentance.

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Closer and Closer to Hashem

 L’hodos l’cha u’l’yachedcha…