We conclude chapter 28 discussing the theme of negative thoughts that enter our minds when we pray.
While praying, it can happen that negative thoughts enter our minds. The Alter Rebbe tells us not to be alarmed. We are fighting a battle between two souls. There is the Godly soul on the one hand – trying to pray. Then there is the animal soul – other on the hand, trying to do everything it can to prevent the person from praying properly. It is like an idolater trying to disrupt one from one’s prayers!
The Alter Rebbe tells us that the best way to deal with it, is to simply ignore it. Do not reply and do not get involved in any argument with it (i.e. these negative thoughts.) Doing so will only make matters worse – and make us really no different than that negative force attacking us. If this does not work, and the thoughts persist, there is only one other thing to do. One should turn ones thought and prayer to God and simply ask Him to have mercy upon us and save us from the distraction.
We move on to Chapter 28. Here the Alter Rebbe begins a theme discussing Timtum HaLeiv – a type of sadness within the heart that prevents one from being able to pray altogether! Just when we feel like getting to pray – it turns out that our hearts are turned away from prayer and we feel like we simply cannot do it. We cannot engage in our prayer altogether!
When this happens, we need to break our bodies – so to speak. We need to humble the arrogant body in a way that allows our souls to take over and shine through the grossness of the material, so that ultimately the soul and Godly thoughts and our prayers will remain.
