daf bit: B'rachot 29

[cellio]

In a mishna on yesterday's daf, R. Eliezer said that if a man makes his prayer (the t'filah) a fixed task, it is not a genuine supplication (and thus does not count). The g'mara on today's daf asks: what is a "fixed task"? R. Yaakov b. Idi said in the name of R. Oshaiah: anyone whose prayer is like a heavy burden on him. The rabbis say: anyone who does not say it in the manner of supplication (as if he were really asking for a favor). Rabbah and R. Yosef say: one who is not able to insert something fresh into it (that is, adjusting it to his needs). R. Zera answered them: I can insert something fresh but I am afraid to do so lest I become confused. (28b mishna, 29b g'mara)

(There is also a discussion here about timing of prayer that I don't understand yet.)

Comments

[talvinamarich.livejournal.com]

It sounds like they are talking about "going through the motions".

[cellio]

Yes, the theme is "don't do it by rote; you've gotta engage". Though R. Yaakov could imply that even if you do make it real, if you feel under duress you might still have a problem.

This morning after minyan somebody came to me and said "we need to teach that every day". I pointed out that that would make it...a fixed task. (The main reason I do these daf bits is to teach something new to justify the kaddish said after torah study. When we did fixed texts people tuned out, talked through them, etc, and I'm not willing to lead liturgy that has a prerequisite without actually doing something about the prerequisite. No study, no kaddish -- and people want the kaddish.)