Dear ,
As we enter this week, the teachings of Va’eschanan offer a roadmap for anyone who has ever stood before a closed gate. Moshe pleads with Hashem to enter the Land; he knows the decree is in place, yet something about “that time” gives him hope. From his prayer to the depths of Shema and the command to love, Va’eschanan is about aligning our hearts and words so that the impossible can become possible. Below are three ideas from the
Ohr HaChaim that illuminate this path.
Praying at the Right Time with the Right Heart
Why mention “at that time” when Moshe
makes his plea? The Ohr HaChaim teaches that Moshe wasn’t throwing prayers into the void. He waited until the victory over Sichon and Og hinted that decrees could be softened. He approached with humility—like a poor man knocking gently—and made sure his words were crystal clearEven the term “to say” indicates that his prayer was designed to unlock future prayers for the nation. Each element—humility, directness, timing and clarity—became part of the formula.
What does this mean for us? We often pray when we feel cornered, but Moshe shows us that there is a time and a way to pray. We need to align ourselves with moments of Divine favor, speak directly to the Source of mercy and remove ambiguity from our requests. A humble heart invites a listening ear. When we pray thoughtfully rather than
reflexively, we become partners in opening the gates of blessing.
Why We Say Hashem’s Name Twice in Shema
In the Shema we
declare: “Hear, Israel: Hashem is our God, Hashem is One”. Why twice? According to the Ohr HaChaim, the first mention speaks to our chosen relationship—we would choose Hashem even if alternatives existed. The second affirms that He is the only One; beyond our personal experience, there simply is no other reality. Together, these two truths—love and unity—bind us with an unbreakable bond.
This subtlety reminds us that love for Hashem is both emotional and intellectual. It’s possible to feel gratitude yet not grasp unity, or to understand unity without feeling warmth. Only when we cultivate both do we forge a complete connection. In daily life, this means choosing Hashem with joy while remembering there is no substitute for holiness. Our commitment must be both personal and
absolute.
Loving Hashem with Heart, Soul and Resources
“And you shall love Hashem your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with
all your resources.” The Ohr HaChaim explains that the Torah speaks to our deepest attachments: children, life and wealth Loving Hashem means that even if any of these are threatened, our devotion does not waver. Avraham was willing to offer Yitzchak. True love transcends self‑interest.
Yet love is more than sacrifice.
The Ohr HaChaim says it should be like hunger or thirst—an ever‑growing craving. Just as wealth increases appetite for more, spiritual closeness should fuel a deeper longing. Loving Hashem with “all your resources” doesn’t mean emptying your bank account; it means recognizing that nothing is as valuable as the relationship itself. When we discover that, giving becomes joy rather than loss.
Teaching and Blessing
Va’eschanan invites us to cultivate humility and precise speech, to speak out both love and unity, and to yearn for Hashem more than anything else. Even fear, the Ohr HaChaim reminds us, is
only the doorway to love; humility turns to joy when we listen with our “heels,” the lowest part of ourselves. May this week help us find the right time and the right words. May our prayers be strategic rather than sporadic, and may our love for the Divine grow until it becomes our deepest thirst. May every closed gate open in response to a humble, heartfelt plea.
