Power of Prayer

Shavua Tov. In today’s Parsha, Yakov Avinu tells Yosef that he is giving him the city of Shechem that he conquered בחרבי ובקשתי, with my knife and my arrow.

The Rabbis question this statement as it was Shimon and Levi who conquered Shechem. They give an explanation that “ knife and arrow,” are really a reference to the power of prayer.

Yakov was giving a charge to Yosef that he must never underestimate the power of prayer as the key to every success.

King David mentioned this point that we include in our morning prayers. רוממות א-ל בגרונם וחרב פיפיות בידם, “there are exaltations of G-d in our throats, and a double edged sword in our hands.”

We need to be constantly reminded that every success we have, is due to Hashem’s kindness. The power of prayer is so great that it can even conquer cities.