Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Pleading to God

Weekly Sidra: Va'etchanan (and I pleaded) Torah Portion: Devarim / Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 Haftorah: Yeshayahu / Isaiah 40:1-40:26 Devarim 3:23  And I implored Hashem at that time, saying: ואתחנן אל־יהוה בעת ההוא לאמר Moshe entreated Hashem to allow him into the Land of Israel after he defeated of Sichon the King of the Emori and Og King of Bashan. Rashi brings that Moshe “implored/entreated” Hashem for a free gift.  The word ואתחנן V’etchanan   comes from the word חנן chanan  which means favor or grace.  He was imploring Hashem to show mercy to him even though he knew that previously the request to enter the Land was denied.  Rashi points out that it does not say ואתפלל v’at’palel, “I prayed.”  Prayer depends on merit and the words used within the prayer, whereas a supplication is not.[1] Moshe pleaded with G-d to hear his cry, but Ribono shel Olam told him, וחנתי את־אשׁר אחן “I will show favor to whom I will show favor.”[2] The use of חנן is used in this verse also thus Rashi uses this verse in connection with Midrash Tanchuma who gives  this verse as a reason for some prayers being answered and some not. In the previous verses in Ex 33 Moshe asks for חן (favor).  The use of this word connects the two passages in the view of Tanchuma.[3] Nine (10) Approaches to Prayer Seeing that there are different words used in the Torah for approaching Hashem...