6054 - The Prayer of the Poor Comes First

 

Background Information

• Source: The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, Letter 6054.

• Recipient: Rabbi Yisroel Chaim Friedman, Brooklyn, NY.

• Date: Tu BiShvat (the 15th of Shevat), 5718 (1958).

 

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Transcription

The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, letter 6,054, Baruch Hashem. We are up to Tu BiShvat, the 15th of Shevat, 5718, Brooklyn. The Rebbe addresses the letter to the "Chasid Ish Elokim" (holy man) Rabbi Yisroel Chaim Friedman in Brooklyn. Shalom u'Vracha.

The Rebbe says: "I am responding to your letter from the eve of Rosh Hashanah La'Ilanot" (meaning just before Tu BiShvat), regarding what was enclosed therein. Here, the Rebbe notes that he is also enclosing receipts. Apparently, the recipient had sent the Rebbe a donation, and the Rebbe is providing the receipt for it.

The Rebbe then expresses surprise: "I am surprised that you don't mention the name of the person." Rabbi Friedman had written to the Rebbe about a specific individual who seemed very God-fearing and religious, but was extremely poor. I’m just guessing here, but perhaps this man gave the Rebbe a very small, minor donation.

The Rebbe adds that, surely, this man’s intentions were good and he did the best he could. He asks why his name wasn’t mentioned, but then continues: "It is my hope that you will find illuminating words and letters to explain the following saying and story from our Sages of blessed memory."

The Rebbe wants to encourage this man. Because he was poor and couldn't give much, the Rebbe references a story from Vayikra Rabbah (Chapter 3, Section 5). In that text, it was declared from the heavens that the gift of a poor person took precedence—it came before—the gift of a rich person.

The story goes that there was a certain bull being led to a sacrifice. Usually, a wealthy person would bring a bull for a sacrifice. However, this bull refused to move. A poor man happened to come along carrying a bundle of "pulegium" (herbs). He couldn't afford much, so he was bringing this small gift. He offered the herbs to the bull, and the bull ate them. Immediately after eating, the bull snorted or sneezed violently and coughed up a needle that had been stuck in its throat, which was why it wouldn't move. After that, it allowed itself to be led to the sacrifice. The owner of the bull was later shown in a dream: "The poor man's sacrifice preceded yours."

The Rebbe is telling this person: Don't worry about the fact that you are poor and cannot do much. In God’s eyes, the poor person comes first.

The Rebbe then explains a concept from Hasidus based on the Zohar (Part 3, 195a). It discusses different prayers in Tehillim (Psalms). Prayers are considered substitutes for "Korbanos" (sacrifices). In the Psalms, we see "Tefillah L'Moshe" (A prayer of Moses), which is the prayer of a Tzaddik like Moshe Rabbeinu—a very high level. There is also "Tefillah L'Dovid" (A prayer of David).

Then there is "Tefillah L'Ani"—the prayer of the poor man: "A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord" (Psalm 102). The question is asked: Which prayer comes first? The Zohar says "Tefillah L'Ani" is the "Kadamas"—it takes precedence.

In Hasidus, it is explained that although "Tefillah L'Moshe" is Chapter 90, "Tefillah L'Dovid" is Chapter 86, and "Tefillah L'Ani" is Chapter 102, the prayer of the poor person is the first one Hashem listens to. Basically, the Rebbe is saying: Explain to this person that he shouldn't feel bad that he can't do more. To Hashem, his contribution is the most acceptable and comes first.

The Rebbe concludes by telling Rabbi Friedman to take the opportunity to explain the importance of the known classes of Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya. The Rebbe prays that these should be "words coming from the heart so they will enter the heart." He also blesses him with good news regarding his personal affairs.

Again, the Rebbe is emphasizing that even if a person is poor, they shouldn't feel bad. He uses the Midrash and the Zohar to show that the poor person's prayer and sacrifice come first. In other places, it is noted that when a poor person gives, the Torah uses the word "Nefesh" (soul). The Rebbe doesn't mention it here, but often when a person gives a large gift, they get back a sense of satisfaction or honor, which might take away slightly from the "L'shem Shamayim" (for the sake of Heaven) nature of the act. But when you give a small amount because that is all you can afford, you don't get that public honor or personal ego boost; you are doing it purely for the Mitzvah. Therefore, it is even more precious