Daily Tanya Sunday 17th Kisleiv Kuntrus Achron 8: The Primacy of Prolonged Prayer in the Era Before Mashiach

Author: Rabbi Yaakov GoldsteinPublished: December 7, 2025
CategoriesDaily LearningDaily Tanya

17th Kisleiv Kuntres Acharon, Essay 8: The Primacy of Prolonged Prayer in the Era Before Mashiach This passage is a powerful letter from the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi), emphasizing the spiritual importance of prolonged and contemplative prayer, especially in the era before the coming of Mashiach. Here’s

17 th Kisleiv

Kuntres Acharon, Essay 8: The Primacy of Prolonged Prayer in the Era Before Mashiach

style="text-align: justify">This passage is a powerful letter from the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi), emphasizing the spiritual importance of prolonged and contemplative prayer, especially in the era before the coming of Mashiach. Here’s a structured summary of its key points:

style="text-align: justify">Core Message

  • The Alter Rebbe expresses deep grief that some are preventing a person who prays slowly and with devotion from leading the congregation.
  • Reason: Prolonged prayer is one of the three things that “prolong a person’s days,” as taught by the Sages.

style="text-align: justify">Halachic Basis

  • Even if someone cannot wait for Kedushah and Barchu during the repetition of the Amidah, it is better to forgo hearing them than to interfere with another Jew’s heartfelt prayer.
  • The Torah exempts those who are compelled, and the Reader’s repetition fulfills the obligation for those who cannot respond, as noted in the Gemara regarding “people in the fields.”

style="text-align: justify">Spiritual Emphasis

  • In earlier generations, Torah study was the primary service; today, prayer is central because:
    • Our Torah study is not constant due to life’s difficulties.
    • Rabbi Chaim Vital writes that in the pre-Messianic era, prayer is the primary service to elevate fallen sparks of holiness.

style="text-align: justify">Inner Work During Prayer

  • Prolonged prayer should include meditation on G‑d’s greatness during:
    • Pesukei Dezimrah (verses of praise)
    • Blessings before Shema (Yotzer Or and Ahavat Olam)
  • Goal: Awaken the innate love of G‑d so it becomes revealed in the heart during Keriat Shema, fulfilling the mitzvah “And you shall love the L‑rd your G‑d…”

style="text-align: justify">Why This Matters

  • Love for G‑d exists naturally in every Jewish soul, but prayer brings it from concealment to revelation.
  • This process elevates sparks of holiness through subjugation or transformation of the animal soul.
  • Earlier generations achieved this quickly; today, we need extended prayer and contemplation.

style="text-align: justify">Practical Takeaway

  • Do not rush prayer or prevent those who pray slowly from leading.
  • Embrace prolonged, mindful prayer as a Torah-rooted imperative, especially now, when it is the primary spiritual service.
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