Q&A: Prayers
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Prayers
Question
Hello, Rabbi,
I watched the podcast with Daniel Dushi, "Does God support genocide?" It was very interesting and fascinating.
My question for the Rabbi is: if the Holy One, blessed be He, created fixed laws that cannot be changed, then how do you think our prayers are answered when we pray?
Thank you.
Answer
Who says they are answered? See column 280 and many others.
Discussion on Answer
God supports a religious war against Amalek, in which they will be forced to accept the seven Noahide commandments or die.
How is that related to my question?
And how did you understand from what the Rabbi said that God supports a religious war?
There are prayers that are answered in the Torah,
In addition, I believe—and in my opinion many others believe as well—that the Holy One, blessed be He, answers our prayers.
Isaac and Rebekah's prayer for children
Jacob's prayer to be saved from Esau
Moses' prayer on behalf of the people after the sin of the Golden Calf
Moses' prayer for Miriam's healing
Abraham's prayer for a son
Moses' prayer at the Red Sea
The Israelites' prayer regarding the manna
Phinehas' prayer to stop the plague
Moses' prayer to enter the Land of Israel, though He did allow him to see the land.
And these are only some of them
And that's why I asked.