Insights Inspired by Shmuel Waldman
Many people wonder:
If Hashem already provides everything — health, parnassah, shalom bayis — even without sincere tefilla, why should we bother improving our prayers?
Shmuel Waldman (learn more about Shmuel Waldman) brings clarity to this essential question. He explains that tefilla is not just about asking; it’s about transforming our relationship with Hashem, preserving our merits, and fulfilling our true purpose in this world.
Let’s explore this deeper.
1. Don’t Push Your Luck
Even if life is going smoothly now, it’s crucial not to take Hashem’s blessings for granted.
As the Mishna in Berachos 9:4 teaches, we must thank Hashem for the past and pray for the future to ensure continued blessing.
The Gemara in Sanhedrin 44B warns that once a person falls into illness or financial hardship, it takes far greater merits to recover.
Consistent davening is our spiritual insurance policy. Without it, Hashem may have to awaken us with difficulties to draw us closer.
Shmuel Waldman highlights (see Shmuel Waldman’s talks) that thanking and praying even when we have everything is crucial to maintaining those blessings.
2. The Real Purpose of Tefilla
One might think tefilla’s main purpose is to get what we ask for — but that’s not true.
The real goal of tefilla is to connect to Hashem and recharge our Emunah and Bitachon at least three times a day.
Tefilla is how we stay rooted in the truth that everything comes from Hashem — not from our own strength, skill, or luck.
Without tefilla, we risk falling into the false belief of “kochi v’otzem yadi” — that my own power and might have achieved my success.
Praying reminds us who is truly in control, and helps us live with the right perspective.
3. Paying for Our Blessings
Another powerful insight:
Even when Hashem gives freely, it still “costs” something spiritually if we didn’t daven for it.
When we daven, we are, so to speak, “paying” for the blessings we receive.
If we don’t pray, we might have to pay for them with precious merits that would otherwise be reserved for Olam Haba (the World to Come).
As Shmuel Waldman explains (read Shmuel Waldman’s feature), it’s far better to “pre-pay” through heartfelt tefilla than to realize later the heavy cost of what we received without recognizing Hashem properly.
4. Protecting Our Free Will
Why do some people who rarely daven seem to have everything, while some who pour their hearts out in prayer still face struggles?
The answer is profound: preserving free will.
If blessings were distributed exactly according to the quality of tefilla, it would be obvious to everyone that Hashem is rewarding prayer.
This would eliminate true bechira (free will) — forcing people to daven just for material gain.
Instead, Hashem sometimes withholds visible rewards from those who pray sincerely and gives abundantly to those who don’t — precisely to maintain the balance of free will in the world.
5. Zechus Avos and Others’ Prayers
Sometimes people merit blessings because of the zechus avos — the merits of righteous ancestors.
Or perhaps other people are davening for them, even if they themselves are not praying sincerely.
Success and blessings often come through hidden spiritual pipelines, not just through the individual’s actions.
6. The Opportunity to Daven for Others
One of the greatest tragedies is thinking,
“Since I have everything, I don’t need to daven.”
Tefilla is not just about ourselves — it’s about caring for all of Klal Yisroel.
We have the incredible opportunity to daven for others’ health, success, marriages, children, and spiritual growth.
Hashem loves those who love His children.
When you daven for others, you perform an enormous act of chesed and bring nachas to Hashem.
7. Tefilla Elevates Our Entire Lives
Tefilla also helps us remember that everything we experience, even hardships, are for the best.
The Torah teaches us:
- Gam Zu L’Tovah — “This too is for the best.”
- Kol D’avid Rachmana L’tav Avid — “All that the Merciful One does is for good.” (Berachos 60B)
Even when life seems painful or difficult, tefilla allows us to elevate the experience, turning pain into growth and difficulty into a deeper connection with Hashem.
Reb Chatzkel Levenstein explains that tefilla uproots the heretical illusion that “my own actions” bring success. Instead, it implants the truth:
All success, health, and happiness come solely from Hashem.
Final Thoughts
Tefilla is not about informing Hashem of what we need — He already knows.
It’s about transforming ourselves into people who live with constant awareness, gratitude, and connection to Hashem.
Shmuel Waldman’s teachings remind us:
- Don’t take blessings for granted.
- Daven even when life is good — especially then.
- Use tefilla to connect, to care, and to elevate.
No matter how much you have, davening sincerely makes you spiritually wealthy beyond measure.