Shalom and welcome to a new zman at Webyeshiva. We begin tonight our exploration of the approach of the Baal Shem Tov and his approach to Prayer. The Master of the Good Name, as he is called, was the founder of the Chassidic movement, a new era in Jewish practice and understanding of the Torah and the Service of God. Tonight we will begin with a section from Sefer Baal Shem Tov on the necessary preparations for Prayer. Preparation itself is something easily overlooked, but is essential for a person to pray with all the potential within us. The class will follow the sefer but we will include excerpts from my new book entitled “The Path of Personal Prophecy,” which uses a classic metaphor of preparation and execution of prayer I call, An Interview with the King. The difference between one who prepares properly for prayer, and one who does not cannot be overstated. The results are in the highest places of Heaven, as the Talmud teaches is prayer. Look forward to seeing all of you tonight. Avraham Shira
