It is a Biblical obligation to Daven to Hashem in a time of need and distress, that these needs be fulfilled by Hashem and that He bring him salvation.
Petty needs: This Mitzvah applies even towards petty needs and desires, that he should Daven to Hashem for all his wants and desires.
The main intent of prayer: This is the main intent of prayer, to pray for one’s needs and desires to be fulfilled. Hence, those personal prayers which request from Hashem his personal needs carry a special quality that is not found in the set daily prayers.
- The Daily Prayer of Shemoneh Esrei:[3]
*See Chapter 2, for a Chassidic discourse on this subject!
The dispute: It is disputed amongst Poskim whether there is a Biblical obligation to pray daily, irrelevant of distress or needs, and the final ruling is that the daily prayers are only Rabbinical, as explained next.
Main ruling: Practically, the main ruling follows the lenient opinion that daily prayer is only a Rabbinical obligation. This refers to the Shemoneh Esrei prayers of Shacharis and Mincha, however the Shemoneh Esrei prayer of Maariv is voluntary, and is only obligatory today due to accepted custom.
Foundation of all Torah: Nevertheless, even according to the lenient opinion, the service of prayer is the foundation of the entire Torah, to know Hashem and recognize His greatness.
Spinal cord of all the Mitzvos: Likewise, prayer is considered the spinal cord of all the Mitzvos, and serves as the energy and vitality that enliven our Mitzvos and make them effective. It is not counted as one of the 248 positive commands being it is higher than them.
Fulfills a Biblical Mitzvah: Accordingly, irrelevant of the dispute of whether daily prayer is a Biblical obligation, all agree that when one Davens he fulfills a Biblical Mitzvah.
Mitzvos fulfilled during prayer: Many Mitzvos are possibly fulfilled throughout the prayer, including 1) Belief in Hashem; 2) Achdus Hashem; 3) Ahavas Hashem; 4) Fear of Hashem; 5) Bitachon in Hashem.
The time of prayer: Even according to the stringent opinion, the times of prayer is not Biblically mandated and one may pray to fulfill his obligation whenever he chooses. The set times of prayer are merely Rabbinical.
The number of daily prayers-Shacharis, Mincha, Maariv: Even according to the stringent opinion, there is no Biblical obligation to Daven more than one time per day [unless one is in a time of need to make a request from Hashem]. When one Davens one time, whether at day or at night, he fulfills his obligation. Nevertheless, Rabbinically, one is obligated to Daven Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis and Mincha, however the Shemoneh Esrei prayer of Maariv is voluntary, and is only obligatory today due to accepted custom.
The Nussach of prayer-Shacharis, Mincha, Maariv: Even according to the stringent opinion, there is no Biblically required Nussach of prayer [and the Nussach of prayer is Rabbinical].
C. The Shema prayer:[4]
It is a Biblical command for men to recite Kerias Shema every morning. It is disputed amongst the Poskim regarding which paragraphs of Shema must be said, and if it includes also the paragraph of Veahavta and Vehaya Im Shamoa, or only the sentence of Shema Yisrael. In conclusion, a Baal Nefesh should be stringent upon himself by a Biblical command by whatever is relevant to the different ramifications. Practically, during the Shacharis prayer, we recite three paragraphs of Veahavta, Vehaya and Vayomer.
The paragraph of Vayomer:[5] The paragraph of Vayomer is recited in order to fulfill the Biblical command to remember the Exodus.
D. Birchas Shema:[6]
It is a Rabbinical institution for men to recite before and after blessings upon reciting Kerias Shema by both morning and night. It is a Biblical command for both men and women to remember the Exodus daily. This command is fulfilled upon reciting the paragraphs of Vayomer, and the blessing of Emes Veyatziv, until Goal Yisrael.
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[1] See Admur 106:2; Chinuch Mitzvah 433; Derech Mitzvosecha Shoresh Mitzvah Hatefila 1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 89:1; Tefila Kehilchasa [Fuchs] Chapter 1; Shaareiy Tefila [Heichal Menachem] p. 1-82
[2] See M”A 106:2; Ramban Sefer Hamitzvos Hasagos on Mitzvah 5; Chinuch Mitzvah 433; Derech Mitzvosecha ibid; Likkutei Sichos 29:183; Sefer Mivaser Tov-Tefila 2:4; Taanis 20b, Maharsha Kiddushin 29b; Even Yisrael 9:106-25
[3] See Admur 106:2; Likkutei Torah Balak 70c; Admur Hazakein in Igros Kodesh p. 34; Toras Menachem 27 p. 47 for explanation of this letter of Admur. Admur in Tanya Kuntrus Achron p. 162 “Prayer is an actual Torah obligation]”; Michaber 106:2; Rama 55; Rambam Tefila 1:1; Ramban in Hasagos Sefer Hamitzvos 5; Rif Brachos 17b; Riea Brachos 10b; Semag Asei 19; Chinuch Mitzvah 248 and 433; Rashi Brachos 20b; Tosafus Brachos ibid; Rabbeinu Chananel Brachos ibid; Semak Mitzvah 12; Rashbatz in Zohar Harakia 12; M”A 106:2; Taz 106:2; Peri Chadash 89; Shagas Aryeh 14; P”M Pesicha Koleles 89 and 106 A”A 2; P”M 4 M”Z 15; Piskei Dinim Tzemach Tzedek Tefila; Derech Mitzvosecha Shoresh Mitzvah Hatefila 1; M”B 106:4; Kuntrus Havoda p. 50; Likkutei Sichos 29:183; Toras Menachem 27 p. 47; Igros Kodesh 14:73; Piskeiy Teshuvos 89:1; Isheiy Yisrael Chapter 7; Shaareiy Tefila [Heichal Menachem] p. 1-17
[4] See Admur 58
[5] See Admur 59 and 67:1; 70:1 and 4
[6] See Admur 59 and 67:1; 70:1 and 4
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