The Power of Simple Prayer: A Lesson from the Or HaChaim

Today you are writing a note to the Holy Shekinah. It is told that once a poor Jew came to the Holy Or HaChaim. He began to cry to the Or HaChaim and said to him, "Rabbi, there [music] is nothing to eat at home. The situation is so difficult. Write me a note." And the Holy Or HaChaim with his quill >> [music] >> wrote him a note, folded it, gave it to him, and said, "Take this and place it between the stones of [music] the Western Wall and pray to the Holy One, blessed be He, from the deepest depths of your heart." And this poor man [music] takes the note, places it between the stones, prays to the Holy One, blessed be He, and says to him, "Master of the Universe, here I have a note from the Holy Or HaChaim. Master of the Universe, help me." And next to him stood an old Jewish man. The Jew stands and watches. He also hears the prayer. He hears that there is a note here from the Holy Or HaChaim. And when the Jew [music] left, a wind blew and the note flew away. This old man ran after the note as he was curious. And he opened it and saw that what was written on the note was simple words, without mystical intentions or unifications, without any lofty words in honor of the Holy Shekinah. My sister, my beloved, my dove, my perfect one, I ask you to help this Jew. From me, I'm Ben Attar. That's it. That is the simplest secret there is. You don't need fancy words or all [music] kinds of holy names. As simple as can be. We are at the Hilula of the Holy Or HaChaim >> [music] >> who connected us so deeply to the Holy Shekinah. He is the one who wrote the prayer for of the Shekinah. [music] He tells us in simple words, speak with the Shekinah, write her a note. What are you asking for? What do you need? You will see that from the simplest place in the world salvation will come to you with God's help. [music] So light a candle in honor of Rabbi Chaim Ben Attar, may his merit protect us. Be connected to the Holy Shekinah and there is no doubt that we will all merit redemption. Amen and amen.