Twelve Steps and Yiddishkeit

on Thursday, 19 March 2015. Posted in Rabbi Dr. Twerski

A recovering person writes:

How can I reconcile the fact that Step 11 says don't pray for yourself whereas I believe Yiddishkeit is full of prayers for yourself?

Rabbi Twerski Responds:

I did not address this issue adequately.

The Zohar is critical about people who pray selfishly, “Gimmee, gimmee:
However it is appropriate to ask Hashem, “Please provide me with what I need to do Your mitzvos.” One cannot do mitzvos or study Torah unless one is in good health and has adequate nutrition. One cannot do tzedaka unless one has the means to do so. This is not selfish prayer.

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