Q&A: Intentions in the commandment of prayer
Intentions in the commandment of prayer
Question
Hello Rabbi,
It is well known that Rabbi Chaim’s novel reading in Maimonides’ laws of prayer leads him to the conclusion that there are 3 intentions required in prayer: to fulfill the obligation of the commandment, standing before God, and intending the meaning of the words (which is obligatory only in the first blessing of the Amidah).
I find that keeping the last 2 intentions in mind is not simple, and I wonder whether it is possible at all.
(I assume that the first intention only has to be intended before the prayer.)
Seemingly, it should be the same as when I speak to someone and mean what I say.
And yet, I find it hard to hold the last 2 intentions together (the first one probably only needs to be before the prayer, if I understand correctly) — both to stand in the awareness of “before God” and focus on that, and also to stand there and intend the meaning of the words I am saying.
So I have 2 questions:
- In your opinion, does one need to have all 3 intentions the entire time, or only during part of the prayer?
- Is it even possible to think two thoughts at the same time? (The question is general and not specifically about prayer.)
Thank you,
Nathan
Answer
Obviously there is no need for mental acrobatics. The meaning of this requirement is to understand in a general way that you are standing before God, and that this should accompany you while you focus on the meaning of the words. You do not need to say, or even think, “I am standing before God.” Just as you play basketball and are aware that you are doing so before an audience, while at the same time thinking about the game. Sorry for the comparison, but I chose a mundane example that illustrates my point.
As for thinking two things at once, as long as you are not saying both thoughts in your heart, I do not see any obstacle to that. These are like the discussions of double intention in sacrificial matters: “for the sake of Passover and for the sake of a peace-offering” (although there one could push and say that he said it at the beginning, not that it accompanies the entire act).
Discussion on Answer
But is there anything that is not before God? The intention of standing before God seems unnecessary.
Maimonides, Laws of Prayer and the Priestly Blessing, chapter 4
Jewish law 1
Five things prevent prayer, even though its time has arrived: purity of the hands, covering nakedness, purity of the place of prayer, things that pressure or rush him, and intention of the heart.
Jewish law 15
What is intention of the heart? Any prayer without intention is not prayer, and if one prayed without intention he must pray again with intention. If he finds his mind confused and his heart troubled, he is forbidden to pray until his mind settles. Therefore, one who comes from the road and is weary or distressed is forbidden to pray until his mind settles. The Sages said that he should wait three days until he rests and his mind cools, and afterward pray.
Jewish law 16
What is this intention? That he should clear his heart of all thoughts and see himself as if he is standing before the Divine Presence. Therefore he must sit a little before prayer in order to direct his heart, and afterward pray calmly and supplicatingly, and he should not make his prayer like someone carrying a burden, throwing it off, and going on his way. Therefore he must sit a little after prayer and only then depart. The early pious ones would wait one hour before prayer and one hour after prayer, and would prolong the prayer for an hour.
Rabbi Chaim of Brisk understood from here that according to Maimonides, the intention of standing before God is part of the act of the commandment.
You can find Rabbi Chaim’s words here
https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%99_%D7%A8%27_%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%AA%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94/%D7%A4%22%D7%93_%D7%94%D7%9C%22%D7%90
When one intends the meaning of the words in saying “Blessed are You,” one thereby fulfills the intention of standing before God. As I recall, later authorities ruled (not like Rabbi Chaim) that this intention too is indispensable only in the blessing of the Patriarchs.
Regards, prayer leader
Nathan, I am definitely talking about conscious intention. But a general awareness that you are standing before God does not contradict other specific thoughts. Just as you know you are playing basketball and at the same time think about your moves. Or you drive a car and know that you are driving, and meanwhile think or listen to the radio.
No need for a vow.
Oren, when we speak about intention, we are not speaking about an objective state. You can drive without awareness and still be driving, and that is not the same as a situation in which you are aware that you are driving. Intention means awareness that you are standing before God. Just as in “Hear O Israel” one should intend God’s unity. You could ask: isn’t He one even if I don’t think about it? The commandment is to bring that into awareness.
Regarding the answer to the second question — what does it mean not to say the thought in one’s heart? Is one supposed to think without thinking consciously?