Moshe Ben-Chaim
Reader:
If something "bad" occurs to someone, isn't it true that our Rabbi's have given the
prescription for THAT person to perform: Prayer, charity and repentance. Since,
we cannot change Hashem in anyway, is one to assume that the following actions
will potentially lead to a change in the person, and therefore he/she may be
able to raise themselves to a level where Hashem will change their situation?
Mesora: Yes, as one changes himself and perfects himself, his change
entitles him to benefit from the already existing system of Providence – G-d
does not change in such a case, yet man derives greater good.
Reader: If so, why is Talmud Torah not one of the three things
prescribed? Since in Schachrit we say that Talmud Torah is "equal to
all"?
Mesora: Talmud Torah is "equal to all" must
be understood in a specific context: this statement refers to what the highest
action is that man may perform. Learning is when one engages the mind to
approach more knowledge about the Creator. Every halacha, parsha, or piece of
gemara we learn affords us a greater appreciation of the Creator of the entire
Torah system.
However,
when discussing how one may perfect his flaws, here, Talmud Torah is not the
prescription, but rather the one's you quoted:
a)
Prayer: weighing one's actions and requests,
b)
charity: divorcing oneself from the physical and expressing reliance on G-d's
kindness to sustain us, and
c) teshuva: introspection, and the
abandonment of destructive and prohibited actions and personality traits.
Reader: The second part of my question is: If prayer, charity and repentance work on the mechanism of changing the person performing them, and this change is the thing that allows Hashem to grant him/her a change in their situation...what is the mechanism that allows praying for another person to effect a change for that other person?
Mesora: In
truth, the prayer for others is not the preferred action, as in such a case;
the one being prayed for is not perfected in anyway, as he is not reflecting on
his actions. Although this is so, G-d decides when he will listen to anothers'
prayers for whatever reason.
When one is sick, the Torah demands
that he review his actions to see what flaw caused his illness. When he
contemplates his wrong, regrets it, and resigns not to repeat such behavior,
then G-d will lift his illness, as it served its purpose. This is the message
of the book of Job. Only once Job repented from his erroneous opinions, did G-d
remove his plague, and return him to health, wealth, and increase his family.