Praying With Passion

ASHER YATZAR Wonder of Wonders - continued from last week

Further understanding: The pasuk states that upon hearing the news from the angel that he would have a son, Mano’ach brought a Korban. The pasuk continues “UMAFLI LAASOT - and a wondrous thing happened”,  as fire came out of a rock to consume the offering that Mano’ach had brought (Shoftim 13:19). The commentaries there explain that the word MAFLI is rooted in the word “PELE” -  an amazing and phenomenal event had just occurred - something shocking, astonishing and miraculous - fire out of a rock! Chazal then remarkably “borrow” this two- word phrase UMAFLI LAASOT as the conclusion and climax of the Asher Yotzar bracha, which we recite several times a day in recognition of Hashem giving us the capability to take care of our bodily needs. By using this phrase, Chazal may want us to understand that it is the same MAFLI LAASOT that Mano’ach and his wife witnessed as they saw fire coming out of a rock to consume a Korban - as we witness every time we successfully take care of our bodily needs. It is a “PELE” -  wondrous and extraordinary - like fire out of a rock! Each and every time we conclude Asher Yotzar it should be with a huge acknowledgment - with a climactic recognition and blissful declaration - UMAFLI LAASOT!

Your personal connection: People have always been in awe of technology. If you are old enough to remember the introduction of the fax machine or email, you can remember the amazement you felt the first time you were able to transmit messages instantaneously. You may remember the “Wow!” of using a touch screen for the first time, or setting out on your first voyage guided by a GPS. We marvel at man’s chochma (wisdom) and ingenuity when we encounter these breakthroughs in technology.

By telling us that Hashem created us with chochma, the “Asher Yatzar” blessing should arouse the greatest “Wow!” of all.
We recite it after eliminating, but even that process is only a hint of the amazing, ingenious, infinitely subtle mechanisms at work in our bodies at each and every moment of the day. When we take the opportunity of reciting this blessing to marvel at our body’s functioning, as we do over the workings of a new piece of technology, we go a long distance toward building a true awe of Hashem’s chochma.

A special KAVANA: Try this the next occasions you have to say “Asher Yatzar:”

Bring to mind this powerful promise quoted in a letter from HaRav Chaim Kanievsky:
“The Sefer Seder HaYom already wrote ‘Recite the blessing (Asher Yatzar) with kavana and say it word for word…and [the result will be] that one will not need doctors and medication.”

Halacha: One is allowed to say (should say) ASHER YATZAR in the morning - even if he hasn’t “used the facilities”. (This usually doesn’t happen; most people will “go” upon awakening in the morning.) It is part of Birchot HaShachar and can be said regardless. All other times, ASHER YATZAR is said only upon successful completion of tending to one’s needs.

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