What is the essence of תפילה?

The תפילות in our סידור, in general, and especially the תפילות on ראש השנה, appear to have two opposing themes.

On the one hand, תפילה is a time of standing before Hashem, of acknowledging His greatness, of praising His majesty. On ראש השנה, this is especially true: the theme of the day is crowning Hashem king. The liturgy in our מחזור is dotted with proclamations of Hashem’s sovereignty over the universe, and pleas that His dominion be revealed and apparent to all.

On the other hand, תפילה is about asking for our personal needs. Thirteen out of the nineteen ברכות in שמונה עשרה are requests – for health, wealth, wisdom, forgiveness, and more. In the ראש השנה מחזור, there are many passages focused on hopes and requests that the coming year be blessed and sweet.

So which is it? Is תפילה about transcending ourselves, of standing in humility and awe before God, of putting aside our own will in deference to His? Or is it about turning inward, taking stock of our lacks and wants, and petitioning Hashem to fill them?

Join Mrs. Shterna Ginsburg, a well-known author and teacher of Chassidus, as we explore these questions through the paradigm of Chana's prayer, the story we read in the haftorah of Rosh Hashana.

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