Praying for Redemption

Below is a post from Rabbi Lazer Brody from lazerbeams.com. It is a continuation of my last post. Please pray that we merit the coming of Moshiach and that we see peace for all of Israel in our lifetime. Elisheva Amaris

Praying for Redemption - a daily obligation?
A few people asked to what degree Judaism requires us to pray for Moshiach and redemption. My answer is that at least 50% of our prayers are requests for the future redemption, Moshiach, etc. "That's impossible!", people called out from around the auditorium. I then tossed the audience a question, and asked that they shout back quick answers: "Of our daily Shmona Esrei (Hebrew for 18) prayer, which is actually a compendium of 19 blessings, how many are requests for the Geula, or future redemption?" Voices resounded like gunshots: "Four!" "One!" "Three!" "Two!" Four was the highest bidder. I then opened up a prayer book, and explained the blessings one by one, with the proper interpretation and intent of each one. Here are the results- they're quite an eye-opener:

Blessing #1
Magen Avraham--geula
Guardian of Abraham, who shall bring the "Goel" (Moshiach) to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's offspring

Blessing #2
Mechaye Mesim--geula
Hashem the King who shall revive the dead

Blessing #3
Kel Hakadosh--present
Blessing our holy G-d

Blessing #4
Chonen HaDaas--present
Request for wisdom

Blessing #5
Harotze B'Tshuva--present
Help us return to You Hashem and to Your Torah

Blessing #6
Hamarbeh Lisloach--present
Forgive us for our sins

Blessing #7
Goel Yisroel--geula
Redeem us quickly!

Blessing #8
Rofeh Cholei Amo Yisroel--present
Heal the sick

Blessing #9
Mevorech Hashanim--present
Bless this year's crops, the land, and give us rain

Blessing #10
Mekabetz nidchei amo Yisroel--geula
Gather the exiles from the 4 corners of the earth

Blessing #11
Ohev tzedakka u'mishpat--geula
Send us our judges (the Sanhedrin) as of old, and may we have true justice

Blessing #12
Shover oivim umachnia zaydim--geula
Destroy the forces of evil soon and in our time

Blessing #13
Mishon umivtach latzaddikim--present
Reward those who trust in You, Hashem

Blessing #14
Boneh Yerushalayim--geula
Rebuild Jerusalem, the Temple and dwell among us HaShem

Blessing #15
Matzmiach Keren Yeshua--geula
Request for Moshiach (scion of David) and salvation

Blessing #16
Shomea tefilla--present
Hear and accept our prayers

Blessing #17
Machzir Shchinaso leTzion--geula
Return Your Divine Presence to Zion

Blessing #18
Noeh Lehodos--geula
May all of mankind thank and praise Your magnificent name

Blessing #19
Mevorech es amo b'shalom--present
Bless your people of Israel with peace

Geula-10
Present-9

As you can see, an amazing 10 out of 19 blessings are requests for the future redemption, while only 9 out of 19, less than half, are requests for the present. By the way, the local Rosh Yeshiva at the institution where I lecture also lists blessing #19 in the Geula category.

As things turn out, more than half of our daily prayers are requests for the Geula. On sabbath and holidays, some prayers - such as the Mussaf - are nearly exclusive requests for salvation, Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the Temple. So, those who thought that only 1, 2, or 3 blessings speak about the Geula haven't understood much of what their lips have been saying.

We can only pray from the heart after we fully understand and realize what we're saying. That's why one of the first questions that the Heavenly Court asks a person (see Talmud, tractate Shabbos 31a), "Did you eagerly await the Redemption?" Those who pray with intent will be able to answer, "Yes!", and assume their rightful place in the sublime and indescribably blissful World to Come.
Rabbi Brody will be speaking at Beit Gavriel in Forest Hills, Queens, New York Sunday evening June 12, 2011

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