Noahide Prayer

~ A Chassidic insight, followed by Questions and Answers ~ From "Keeping in Touch: Torah Thoughts Inspired By The Works Of The Lubavitcher Rebbe," by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger, published by Sichos In English [The] Torah portion Vayeitzei relates that as Jacob left Israel to journey to Laban's home where he would marry and establish his own household, he "encountered the place." Our Rabbis interpret this as referring to the future site of the Holy Temple. There Jacob prayed. Jacob had lived in his father's home and afterwards had studied under Shem and Ever, the spiritual [righteous Noahide] luminaries of the age. Now he was going to Charan, an idolatrous environment, where he would labor, not study. Faced with such an awesome transition, Jacob turned to G-d, asking for success in the new phase of activity he was undertaking. There is no way a person can insure success solely on the basis of his efforts. Material reality reflects only one dimension of our existence. Prosperity is a multi-faceted Divine blessing and cannot be guaranteed through our efforts alone. Even when all the fundamentals add up, there are times when a business deal doesn't work out and other situations, where for no apparent reason, one's efforts bring him success. This is not mere chance. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, taught that even a leaf turning in the wind is directed by G-d's will. Certainly it is true when speaking of what happens to man. Therefore, particularly when we set out on a new road, we ask G-d's assistance through prayer. On the surface, however, such prayers are self-serving. Man is asking G-d for something for his own self. He is not praying for G-d's sake; he is praying because of his own needs or wants. Is that spiritual? And is this what G-d desires? Yes. G-d's intent in creating our world was to have a dwelling place in the lower worlds; that His presence be revealed within the realm of material things. He didn't create angels to inhabit this physical world. He wants a world where man interacts with the physical and in so doing, understands that it is controlled by G-d. That is precisely the awareness generated when a person prays for his material well-being. He is concerned with everyday things, and He is asking G-d to grant Him success in this realm. Instead of relying on his own resources, he is looking to Him. These prayers are extremely sincere. When a person asks for spiritual things, his requests may not come from his inner core. But when he prays for his material well-being, he puts his whole heart into his prayer. He is turning to G-d with all of his attention and asking for His help. In doing so, he consummates the purpose of creation, connecting G-dliness with the most mundane dimensions of worldly existence. One of the primary focuses of our daily prayers is the Redemption. More than 100 times each day, [observant Jews] turn to G-d with requests for Moshiach [the Messiah] and the Redemption. These requests should be made with the same sincerity as those for healing or livelihood. Redemption is just as real a need for us as physical health or material well-being, and it should be felt as strongly. Even when a person prospers and enjoys good health, he is lacking. He is missing the fullness of life that the Redemption will grant him. He should pray that G-d grants this fullness to the entire world with the coming of Moshiach.

QUESTION #2 (a) : Do you have any information on Noahide prayer and liturgy, or rather, worship? I am a Noahide, and am interested in developing a liturgy for myself. I am well aware that Noahides are not obligated to use a liturgy, but I also feel that one should not only pray when one needs something. If one does that, then the mechanism of prayer "rusts", and doesn't work like it should. It becomes hard to communicate with G-d even when one does need something, which can present a problem. I remember hearing a story about devotion in prayer, which I think sort of applies. It had something to do with a watchmaker going to a town where there were a lot of broken watches that needed to be fixed. All the watches that had been maintained could be fixed, but the ones that had been allowed to rust could not. > A. R. ANSWER : There is not any "official" or "universal" Noahide liturgy for any defined prayer services. On a deeper level, this is really as it should be, because a fixed liturgy could give a Noahide the mistaken impression that he or she has a religious requirement to recite specific prayers at specific times, which is not the case. At a minimum, the obligation of prayer for a Noahide is that at any time you recognize a need or feel religiously inspired or obligated, you should direct your mind to G-d and pray to Him to fulfill that need, or to praise Him or thank Him, while at the same having full trust and faith that He hears your prayers and that He will answer in a way that will be truly and openly good for you. On the other hand, there are Noahides who would prefer to have a set (but still essentially flexible) daily liturgy of prayers. We suggest that for your daily prayers, you can use the booklet "Prayers, Blessings, Principles of Faith, and Divine Service for Noahides," by Rabbi Moshe Weiner and Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet. Although G-d knows all the thoughts of a person, it is most appropriate that your prayers should be verbalized with the mouth (since only that is called "prayer"), at least loudly enough so that you can hear your own speech. In that way not only your mind but also your body is praising and praying to G-d, as we are told to do in many verses of the Psalms. If you are developing a personalized liturgy, it is appropriate to make selections from the Psalms (reading from an authentic Hebrew Bible/Tanakh or Book of Psalms/Tehillim that is printed by an observant Hebrew publishing house [1]), translated into the language you best understand. King David composed and compiled the entire Book of Psalms to reflect every emotional dimension that a spiritually directed person could experience. You are certainly free to choose Psalms which seem most appropriate for the feelings you wish to convey to G-d.

QUESTION #2 (b) : Can you make a suggestion for good morning prayers for a Noahide? > C. W. ANSWER : By asking for a "recommendation" for morning prayers, you show that you are aware that for Noahides there is no requirement that certain prayers be recited at certain times. All of which follows is to be considered completely voluntary, and you are welcome to discuss further suggestions with us via email. It's a very good thing for a person to start the day with a deep awareness of the Creator. It is also valuable to consider the potential for doing good that G-d grants us with each new day. Noahides are encouraged to devote their very first conscious thought of the day to G-d, as it says about the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One Blessed be He, "The whole world is filled with His glory" (Isaiah 6:3). After getting ready for your day, you can put some coins aside for a proper charity (one which does not violate the Noahide commandments), and continue by saying Psalms chapters 67, 100, 145, 146, 150, and 20, which give praise and thanksgiving to the Al-mighty [1], followed by verbally accepting yourself G-d's Unity and Kingship, and devoutly asking G-d for your needs. You might begin your prayers in the morning, and conclude your prayers in the evening, with the following affirmation, which is from a traditional prayer in the Jewish liturgy called "Adon Olom" ("L-rd of the universe"): L-rd of the universe, Who reigned before anything was created - at the time when His will brought all things into being, then was His Name proclaimed King. And after all things will be uplifted, the Awesome One will reign alone. He was, He is, and He shall be in glory. He is One, and there is no other to compare to Him, to call His equal. Without beginning, without end - power and dominion belong to Him. He is my G-d and my ever-living Redeemer, the strength of my lot in time of distress. He is my banner and my refuge, my portion on the day I call. Into His hand I entrust my spirit when I sleep and when I wake. And with my soul, my body too, the L-rd is with me, I shall not fear. If you choose to print out any Psalms from the Chabad.org web site, please be very careful with the printed pages. The text contains sacred literature, which should not be defaced or improperly disposed of, or taken into a washroom without first being placed in a container within a container; see: www.asknoah.org/WritingDivineNames.aspx There is also a special custom that every day in your prayers, you can include "your" Psalm, which is the one corresponding to the age you will be on your next birthday. A person who is praying in a time of need can include his or her Psalm and also Psalms 20 and 150 in particular. In any event, you should have in mind, and verbalize from time to time, that you are not taking on any particular prayers or any particular times of prayer as an obligation with the force of a vow.

QUESTION #2 (c) : I am not sure how a Noahide worships G-d. What specifically can one do to express that feeling of gratitude or request for help? > C. B. ANSWER : It is important to express feelings of gratitude when praying to G-d. We may already be inspired with this feeling when we start to pray, or we may need to reflect on our blessings for a short time in order to arouse this well-justified emotion. The book "A Time for Prayer" (pub. Yeshivath Beth Moshe, 1996) gives the following introduction to their section of "Psalms for Gratitude." (Note: the Hebrew word "Hashem" = "The Name" is used as a vernacular replacement for the ineffable four-letter Name of G-d.) "THOUGHTS BEFORE PRAYING IN GRATITUDE 1) The primary purpose that Hashem created this world is for His creations to acknowledge that He created them and that all they have come from Him. 2) One should praise Hashem when he realizes that Hashem is sustaining his life every second. This is expressed in the verse "He who placed our souls amongst the living," and in the verse "All souls shall praise the L-rd." Our sages teach us that for every breath one must praise Hashem. 3) If one went through difficulties and was saved or he feels that he has been blessed with special favor or at a time of celebration, he must give added thanks to Hashem. He should realize that he was saved or granted favor only by the grace of Hashem and not because of his own merit ... 4) Besides thanking Hashem for His salvation one should also increase his service of Hashem with concrete actions [such as] Charity and Prayer. 5) Man's success comes from the revelation of Hashem and hardship comes when Hashem hides His face. One merits the revelation of Hashem [the awareness of His divine providence] through constant acknowledgement of Hashem." PSALMS [1] WHICH EXPRESS GRATITUDE: 17, 18, 23, 30, 33, 42, 63, 65, 66, 68, 70-72, 92, 100, 104, 105, 107, 108, 111, 114, 124, 136, 145-150. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and a holy tzaddik, specified ten Psalms that he said contain the general remedy for matters of the soul. These ten Psalms, about which he said that they were revealed to him from Heaven as being "Tikkun HaKlali" (The Complete Remedy) are: 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150.

QUESTION #2 (d): I would like to learn the short blessing after food which Abraham taught? > T. W. ANSWER : Here is the translation of the prayer which Abraham taught his Gentile guests to say after they ate food to their satisfaction, in order to teach them that there is only One True G-d: "Blessed is G-d of the Universe, from Whose bounty we have eaten." A pre-snack thanks to G-d can mention the type of food or drink that you are about to partake of. For example, you can give thanks for: 1) "... bread from the earth" ("bread" is made from grain flour with water as the main liquid) 2) "... fruit of the tree" (fruits) 3) "... fruit of the earth" (vegetables) 4) "... fruit of the vine" (wine) 5) "... sustaining food" (non-bread foods made from grain flour, such as crackers, pastas, pastries, etc.) 6) "... all that is created by His word" (foods that don't grow from roots in the ground, such as meat, beverages, candy, milk, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, etc.) #3 can also include #2 #6 can also include all the others. A prayer of thanks for bread at the start of the meal (#1) includes everything that will be eaten within the meal, so no mention of the other foods or beverages is needed, except for wine. A prayer of thanks for wine at the start of the meal (#4) includes all the other beverages that will be drunk within the meal, so in that case no mention of the other beverages is needed.

QUESTION #2 (e): I would also like to learn a few chapters of Psalms and some scriptural verses that I could include as prayers before I go to bed at night. > T. W. ANSWER : Here are some suggestions for verses and Psalms [1] that a Noahide could include as prayers before going to bed at night, selected from the traditional Jewish prayers: Psalms chapters 91, 121, 51, and verse 31:6. The above suggestions are in addition to one's prayers of repentance and for forgiveness from G-d, according to one's appropriately chosen days and times for such prayers. (At bedtime this can be included before Psalm 51). According to Torah, there is a three-step formula for "repentance" (teshuva = returning to G-d by returning to the proper path). Quoting from Mishneh Torah by the Rambam (Maimonides): "And what is repentance? It is when the sinner abandons his sin, removing it from his thoughts [i.e. he will from now on push out from his mind any idea to do or to imagine doing this sin], and is completely resolved not to do it again. Consequently, he [verbally] regrets what has happened in the past [i.e. what he thought, said or did] and [verbally] accepts G-d, the Knower of secrets, as his witness that he will never return to such a sin again. And he needs to confess verbally and state the resolutions that he made in his heart."

QUESTION #2 (f): I sometimes find that if it is a prayer in a time of emergency - e.g. under attack, or if praying for strength to cope at that instance in front of a person who must not know you are not coping - verbal prayer is nearly or actually impossible. Also I have been able to sit quietly in prayer while others are present. But now I have read that this is not an acceptable way to pray, even for prayers to give thanks done in my heart and mind, on the spur of the moment when it was applicable. Therefore I am very concerned, even a little afraid, that my prayer life will become less frequent as I will only be able to "speak" to G-d at specific times, and not when I would love to thank Him or beseech Him. Please can you give me some guidance on this, and if I must pray only verbally, then so be it and I will have to pray for guidance and help. > D. ANSWER : Purely mental meditation and communication directed to G-d definitely should have its time and place in every person's life, and this is very dependent on the circumstances, time and place, etc. Rest assured that G-d is fully aware of all our thoughts at all times! So you should NOT stop meditating about and mentally praying to the One True G-d, but you should also look for opportunities of privacy when, if you have needs that you wish to pray for, you can verbalize your prayers. You can also spend some of your time mentally reviewing what you are learning about the Noahide Commandments, Torah subjects in general, and your understanding of G-d. This means figuring out what you think you understand, what you don't understand, how the concepts fit together, what your questions are, etc. You'll discover what questions you need to ask, and you'll deepen your understanding. In particular, you can read the Chassidic Discourses that are posted on www.asknoah.org, and then review them mentally and meditate on their meanings as your time allows. There is one type of prayer for which verbalizing one's words to G-d is very important. This is a prayer of repentance. A verbalized prayer of sincere repentance is guaranteed to be accepted by G-d if it includes the three things which are quoted from Mishneh Torah [see above]. Note also that the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught, based on the Talmud, that even if someone only has a thought of repentance, that is still an actual accomplishment which can lift a person to a higher level.

QUESTION #2 (g): If I remember things that I now know to be sins, that were committed many years ago, is it in order to ask for forgiveness as I become aware of them or remember them? Does G-d view a person as a nuisance if he keeps approaching Him in prayer and asking to be forgiven as he recalls things? > D. QUESTION: I read some of the online book on the Noahide laws, and decided to repent of one of my sins. Basically, I prayed that I repent, and that I will not sin in that way again. Afterward, doubt crept in and I thought, what if I do so again inadvertantly, or am decieved, or make a mistake, etc... Upon realizing the mistake, would I be able to repent again? > L. ANSWER : In both of these situations, that is not a "nuisance" for G-d. The patience of a human being will eventually wear thin if he is approached with requests for forgiveness many times, but G-d's patience has no limitations. His patience for those who sincerely turn to Him is infinite. (Although His patience in waiting to be asked for forgiveness is limited to the length of the person's physical life!) A person should strive to be a "master of accounts," setting aside some time on a regular basis to review his thoughts, speech and actions, to recall what was not proper and what needs repenting for. But it needs to be done in a positive way, and not in a way that would lead one to fall into depression, G-d forbid, since that is one of the tricks employed by the evil inclination. A person should have absolute faith that when he approaches G-d in proper repentance, G-d accepts it - even if the sin was repeated many times. On the other hand, one should not then put the sin that he did totally out of his mind from then on. As King David said in Psalm 51, "... my sin is always before me." The person will thus remain humble before others no matter what spiritual level they are on, even though he himself is now advancing spiritually way beyond his former level. Also since the person has that weakness, his vigilance should be maintained. And it may be that G-d desires for the person to reach for more sincere levels of repentance. But this is only one aspect of a person's relationship with G-d, and it should be given full attention only at designated propitious times. The main aspect of a Noahide's relationship with G-d throughout most of the day should be with joy at the opportunity one is graciously given by G-d to serve Him (and connect with Him) through making the world a better place by observing the Seven Noahide Commandments.

QUESTION #2 (h): Is there a specific Noahide liturgy? ANSWER : It is generally accepted that a Noahide can include any of the Psalms as prayers. We note that large parts of the Orthodox Jewish prayer services are made up Psalms. But other parts of the Jewish prayer services consist of selections of learning from the Oral Torah, and those are problematic for Noahides considering the restrictions on what parts of the Oral Torah are appropriate for them to learn. It's important to keep in mind that all the prayers written for Jews in the traditional order of the Hebrew services were selected and composed by the greatest Jewish Sages of the post- Second Temple era. These Sages were all great Kabbalists who had deep prophetic insight into the hidden spiritual meanings and spiritual effects of the prayer services, and they did not have in mind that they were composing those prayers for Noahides. Specifically, the essence of the daily Jewish prayer services is that they substitute for a Jew's obligation to be represented in the bringing of the daily Temple sacrifices, which have temporarily been suspended. Therefore, to assist Noahides in their daily prayers, Ask Noah International has published a booklet of daily prayers for Noahdes: "Prayers, Blessings, Principles of Faith, and Divine Service for Noahides," by Rabbi Moshe Weiner and Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet. (Note: Orthodox Rabbis agree that making a Jewish blessing upon doing a Jewish commandment is NOT appropriate for a Noahide, since he can't say "Blessed are You ... Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to ..." That formula is said by Jews only for certain specific commandments which they received in the Torah or from the Sages.)

QUESTION #2 (i): Is there a problem with Gentiles addressing G-d as "Father," considering that the Jews are called "the children of G-d" [Deut. 14:1]? Maybe that's a distinction that I should honor in prayer? > J. ANSWER : As long as you're saying this in your heartfelt prayers in your own words, or reading from the translated text of an appropriate prayer from the Orthodox Jewish liturgy, there isn't any problem with this. "Our Father, our King," is used in many prayers in the Jewish liturgy. This phrase was used in a moment of inspiration by the Sage Rabbi Akiva at a time of great trouble, and it evoked a miraculous response from G-d when other prayers were not succeeding. By saying "our Father, our King," you can have in mind that you are including yourself and all Righteous Gentiles along with the Jewish People.

QUESTION #2 (j): Does it indicate any lack of faith if a person goes to doctors and/or takes medication for healing, or for improvement or maintenance of his health? ANSWER : Just the opposite! G-d wants us to bring down His blessings through these physical channels which He creates. There are even some short prayers to say before and after taking medication. From the Mishneh Brurah - this prayer should be recited BEFORE taking medicine or when one undergoes a medical procedure: "May it be Your will L-rd G-d, that this use of medicine bring me good health, for You heal graciously." [Orach Chaim 230:4] AFTER taking medicine or after a medical procedure, it is traditional to say: "Blessed is the Healer of the sick."

QUESTION #2 (k): Sometimes it's hard for me to recite prayers or psalms, but I have no problem whatsoever singing out loud to certain religiously-based songs, in many cases, Pslams that have been set to music. Is this an acceptable form of prayer and worship? > J.P. ANSWER : It's useful to try to define some terms. Using dictionary.com as a basis, here are some definitions for WORSHIP: noun: (a) The reverent love and devotion accorded to G-d. (b) The religious forms by which this love is expressed. verb: To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion. Here are definitions for PRAYER: noun: (1) A reverent petition made to G-d. (2) An act of communion with G-d, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving. (3) A specially worded form used to address G-d. (4) A fervent request. While there is definitely overlap of the meanings, PRAYER also has the connotation of a REQUEST than you make to G-d for something that you need, such a safety, health, income, forgiveness, a sign from Above, etc. In WORSHIP, the emphasis is not on communicating your own tangible needs, but rather you open up your heart to express to G-d the love and devotion that YOU FEEL for Him. This is based on your desire put aside your liming physical perspective, and concentrate on a higher spirituality with a mixture of awe and reverence. (Chassidim especially through the generations have composed many beautiful and stirring devotional songs to express love and longing of the soul for G-d.) Your singing out loud is probably an expression and communication to G-d of the happiness you feel in loving and adoring Him. But how many of your own personal needs do you express to Him as requests while you are singing? Your prayers for your needs are probably better expressed with an approach of humility and a feeling of emptiness - that something is missing or might come to be missing, which you need HaShem to provide for you. For that, this paraphrased advice from the Mishnah is very appropriate: "Do not approach to pray except with a concentrated and serious mindset." But of course at the same time you can feel joy in G-d's closeness and happiness in your faith that He hears all prayers.

Footnote: 1. From "Prayers, Blessings, Principles of Faith, and Divine Service for Noahides," by Rabbi M. Weiner and Rabbi J. I. Schochet. You could also read these verses and Psalms from an authentic (i.e. traditional Jewish) scriptural translation, such as the Artscroll Psalms or complete Hebrew Bible. The full Book of Psalms is also available www.chabad.org/library/archive/LibraryArchive2.asp?AID=15770 ADVANCED SITE SEARCH: Click Here To send questions or comments, email us at:  Home page: www.asknoah.org © '09 Ask Noah International