January 15-21, 2023 Exodus 6:2-9:35
In our Torah portion, we can learn what is the proper place to pray to G-d Almighty. When Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for the end of the Hail Plague, Moses said, "When I leave the city, I shall raise my palms to G-d, and it will cease." The reason for that is Moses our teacher did not want to pray in the city because it was full of idols. This verse teaches us that praying in a location that contains idols is not permitted. One of the reasons the Plagues came to Egypt is to show that their idols are meaningless.
Worshipped idols and religious symbols are prohibited under this rule. There are lots of prayer areas in hospitals and airports. A Jew or a Noahide should avoid praying in front of a cross if it is present in the space. In the same way, if one is in a hospital room with a cross hanging on the wall, one should cover it, especially when praying.
One should not worry about religious symbols being shown elsewhere in the city if they are worshiping in a private location because they are in a different place. If one must pray among religious icons, he should do so in a private corner, not in front of them. When a religious icon is in front of someone, one should not bow.
The highest level of attachment to G-d can be felt through prayer. Similar to how a little flame would merge with a larger flame when it is placed close by. Like a candle's flame, our soul aspires upward. Because prayer is the way by which we attach to G-d with a deep attachment of "spirit to spirit" in order to become one with Him.
Rabbi Moshe Bernestein is a writer and a Community Rabbi in Netanya, Israel. He believes in making connections between the Jewish People and the Noahides worldwide in order to share and enhance the knowledge of the Torah's Universal Code for Humanity and fulfil Isaiah's Prophecy 11:9 " And the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the oceans".
© Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further.
NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.