“And now, I assign to you one portion more than to your brothers, which I wrested from the Amorites with my sword and bow.” (Bereishis 48:22). Targum Unkelos says that the “sword and bow” refer to Yaakov’s prayers and supplications.

When people look for inspiration, often there is a feeling that new is always better. We look to create new avenues to connect with Hakadosh Baruch Hu, as the old and traditional ways seem to lack luster. Is this approach correct, or is this merely the work of the yetzer hara to divert us from something better? While even old ideas may need a new presentation in order to inspire us in modern times, perhaps the fundamental approach should stay the same?

Reuven has an issue – it could be that he or someone close to him is sick; or he may need an emotional bolster; or he needs financial relief – and he would like to pray to Hashem for his deliverance. Should Reuven compose his own personal tefillah, or have his specific problem in mind while saying the regular daily prayers? The Meshech Chochmah on this week’s parsha points to an interesting Chazal which enlightens us as to how to deal with this question. The halacha in Shulchan Aruch states that if a person has someone sick in his home, he should go to a Chochom and ask him to pray, because he will pray with a special intensity. Yet, Chazal also say (Bereishis Raba 53:14) that Hashem hears the prayers of the sick person more than others. How can we resolve these two contradictory ideas?

I would like to suggest something which is based on the Meshech Chochmah. Yaakov Avinu ascribes his success in conquering Shechem to “my sword and my bow.” The commentators point out that the bow and arrow is used for long-range warfare whereas the sword is for face-to-face confrontation. Therefore the order of the verse should be the other way around: first “my bow” and then “my sword”? Because of this question there are those who explain that Chazal interpret “charbi ukashti” as “my prayers and my supplications”. “Charbi” refers to the classical prayers which are said thrice daily as composed by the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah. The supplications are personal prayers in which one implores Hashem for help.

The Meshech Chochmah explains that there is another difference between the sword and the arrow: The arrow, though it may have a point, is not very sharp. It is the force in which the bow propels the arrow that gives it the ability to penetrate the target. Whereas the sword is razor sharp and does not need much force to cause untold damage. The sword, he explains, refers to the prayers instituted by the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah, with which even if a person does not have much thought while saying the prayers, the prayers themselves have the ability to cut their way straight to Hashem. However, the prayers that are a product of a person’s own design are dependent upon how much “kavana” = “force” they are sent with. Being that the average person lacks kavana when praying, reducing their chances of being effective, therefore we ask the chochom to pray the special prayer for us.

This same idea is true and echoed in the Rishonim with regards to davening with a minyan. The power of the congregation is so great that even with less kavana, people’s prayers are heard. However, when davening by oneself, one needs to have proper kavana to cause the same result.

I am pained many times when I see people praying with devotion in shul, but oblivious to the fact that they are missing tefillah b’tzibur. There are specific halachos which define tefillah b’tzibur, and simply being in shul while others are praying (or praying while others are in shul) does not necessarily constitute tefillah b’tzibur! There are specific halachos which define what is tefillah b’tzibur. It is worthwhile to mention that if you want your prayers to be accepted, your best bet is to pray with everyone else and not to think that you have a “better” way to daven.

May we merit to not only pray b’tzibur, but to also have kavana within our own private supplications, to the point that our prayers will breach the heavens and bring about positive results.