To view a PDF of this week's Tefillah Tips click here

Va-ani Teffilatee

During Shabbat afternoon mincha, after Uvah Letzion, the congregation chants the verse from Psalms 69:14- "Va-ani teffilatee lecha Hashem eyt raztzon Elokim berov chasdecha  aneyni beemet yisheecha - As for me, may my prayer unto You G-d be accepted at this auspicious time; Elokim, with your abundance of kindness answer me with Your truthful deliverance."

The Shaarei Teshuvah in OC 292 states that it is specifically at the moment this verse is recited that the leader should don his Tallith. The Mishneh Berurah notes that this verse is recited only during Shabbat Mincha and not Yom Tov Mincha because it is only on Shabbat that we take out the Torah to read; and it is therefore an auspicious time (Eyt Rayzon).

* Note - On Yom Tov Shacharit we do say the Psalm together with the 13 Attributes of Mercy- another auspicious moment when the Torah is read.

The question is why is Shabbat Mincha such a significant and merciful time?

The Aruch Hashulchan advances two different reasons:

1. The Zohar in Parshat Naso writes that during the week the late afternoon is a time of heavenly judgment; but on Shabbat, Hashem demonstrates a unique divine compassion; therefore Shabbat Mincha is THE time to engage and entreat the Almighty.

1. The Tur brings a Midrash based on the previous verse in Psalms that compares our Shabbat celebration to a standard worldly celebration (like a Super Bowl party). He writes that when we say Va-ani Teffilatee, we call out to Hashem and proclaim that - even after we eat, drink and celebrate on Shabbat we turn to G-d in prayer and service as opposed to ordinary celebrations, that after an abundance of food and wine is consumed the participants behave without inhibitions and may pursue their base desires.

It is clear from this Tefillah and the commentaries that Shabbat Mincha and the time afterward are the holiest time of Shabbat. It is a time for song, praise to G-d and Torah study in order to ascend towards the heights of Shabbat and grasp onto it before it ebbs away.

In this Psalm, #69, King David writes emotionally about how the nations of the world torment the Jewish people; and he beseeches G-d to defend, support and redeem the nation of Israel. When we recite this verse, our thoughts can be directed towards our national wellbeing like King David, and/or our own personal and familial concerns and needs. We therefore recite, "Va-ani teffilatee lecha Hashem eyt raztzon... As for me - May my prayer unto You G-d be accepted at this auspicious time..."

Take Home Tip

Too often, greater emphasis is placed on the observance and celebration of Friday night and Shabbat morning of Shabbat, while Shabbat afternoon is invested in less. Our prayers and our sages indicate that this is inappropriate. It is specifically during Shabbat Mincha and Shalosh Seudoth that we reach the pinnacle of Shabbat holiness which is why we chant, "Vaani teffilatee lecha Hashem eyt raztzon... As for me - May my prayer unto You G-d be accepted at this auspicious time..."

* This is the final Tefillah Tip for Shabbat Mincha and concludes our semester. In

Mid-February we will start our next semester and explore the Maariv of Shabbat.