Prayer Skills-Vayikra-Rhizhiner-Humility

The 27th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe Meir Rosenstein of Berditchev (1821-1902). A chassid of the Rizhuner Rebbe in his youth, Rav Moshe Meir moved to Eretz Yisral and settled in Tzefas in 1853, living there for several decades. At the end of his life, he settled in Teveria. His insights have been published recently in a sefer called Avodas HaLevi’im.

The Rhiziner used as a text, “Neither shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness not be uncovered on it (Exodus 20:23).” “The House of Prayer,” said the Rabbi, “represents the altar. The chief requisite when bringing an offering upon the altar or when praying, is to be contrite of heart, in a humble mood, and full of regret at one’s shortcomings. We are forbidden to go up to pray in a frivolous mood, lest our evil thoughts confuse our words of supplication. There is a hint of this in the little letter ““aleph” in the word “Vayikra,” “and He called to Moshe,” because Moshe possessed humility.” (Niflaot Yisrael, page 56)