Songs and Dancing Lift Up the Prayer

Sunday, 16 Av 5785 – Taken from the lesson delivered to the avreichim of 'Shuvu Banim, Atika' on 3 Iyar 5782, these are his holy words:

The Zohar says that we begin the prayer with morning songs and dance after the prayer.

If not, the prayer does not ascend on high; it accomplishes nothing.

The prayer, says Rebbe Nachman (Likutey Moharan 42): "And He saw when they were in distress, when He heard their song" (Psalms 106:44).

If not, there is no Shechinah (Divine Presence); the Shechinah (Divine Presence) has vanished from the prayer.

Rashi says, "when He heard their song" refers to song and prayer in the synagogues, songs and praises, for it is only through songs and praises that the song ascends on high.

Songs and praises, for it is only through songs and praises that the song ascends on high.

We sing the prayer, we play it; the main thing is to play the prayer, to sing it, to sing every word, to sing every letter.

There was Rebbe Hirsch of Nemirov, who would recite the entire prayer like this and would not stop for even a second.