Eizehu Avodah She'Ba'Lev?

Rav S.R. Hirsch writes (Horeb, pg. 472)

"Hitpallel,

from which tefillah is derived,

originally meant to deliver an opinion

about oneself,

to judge oneself,

or an attempt at so doing... "

I am grateful to the masterpiece, which is the Artscroll Siddur. When it comes to prayer, I for one find that the work is daunting and that there is no quick fix. Good English explanations can go a long way, yet only do so much, to help us do the inner work that only we can do for ourselves.

The Birnbaum siddur was the Siddur for an era and still serves as the vehicle today through which many pray in a way that helps them grow closer to themselves and to G-d. Later came Artscroll, which in set a new bar. But we must never forget that the contemplative avodah she'be'lev must be done by every individual man and woman for his or her self.

The Rabbis taught that when it comes to service of the heart - "better a small amount with kavannah - holy focus, than a great deal without proper intent." It is not rocket science that this is heart work and therefore a little of quality is better than a lot by rote. And yet the obvious is often the hardest to remember and thus so many of us fall into the trap of buzzing through the prayers as though we were competing in a speed davening marathon.

May we be blessed to use the many needed aids available to truly work our hearts and our lives for G-d, through prayer.