Why Do Heartfelt Prayers Go Unanswered?

In these days of awakening, the Days of Mercy and Selichot, we have the privilege of visiting our modern-day "Miniature Temple," the synagogue, to pray for ourselves, our families, and all of Israel. We utter prayers hoping: "Hashem, open the heavens to our prayers... Our God in heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer willingly... May we call, and You answer us" and so on. The goal is singular – to open the gates of heaven to our prayers so we may be blessed with a good year filled with hope, health, blessings, and success for us and all Israel.

When we investigate the writings and holy books, it is unequivocally clear that when we come to the synagogue to pray, we are answered! This is a "natural law" established by the Creator in His world. As the Midrash (Kohelet Rabbah 9) states: "When Israel leaves the synagogues and study halls, a heavenly voice declares, 'Go eat your bread with joy, for your prayer has been heard by Hashem!'" The basket of blessings awaits us at the synagogue as the Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 7) says: "Hashem said, 'Not only do you greet the Divine Presence in the synagogue, but you also leave burdened with blessings,' as it is said (Proverbs 8) 'Whoever finds Me, finds life and brings goodness from Hashem.'"

"Enlarge your mouth, and I will fill it" (Psalms 81) – Enlarge your mouth in prayer, and I will fulfill your heart's wishes! Enter the Miniature Temple – the synagogue, pray, and be answered!

Yet, reality strikes us as we see it not always being the case. Every day, many Jews visit the synagogue, praying and even crying out, yet remain unanswered. Why?

Our sages have revealed that there are reasons that hinder prayer, such as washing of hands, bodily cleanliness, purity of the prayer space, intention of the heart, neglecting Torah study, repentance, and more. The Rambam lists in his book (Mishneh Torah, Sefer Mada, Hilchot Teshuva Chapter 4) 24 obstacles to repentance.

However, there is one major principle that blocks our prayers from being accepted – respecting the sanctity of the synagogue!

The Gemara (Berachot 6) states that a person's prayer is only heard in the synagogue because Hashem and His Presence reside there. But when we fail to honor the sanctity of the place, especially by engaging in idle chatter, even more so during prayer, we risk banishing the holy shechinah from the holy place, and then the prayers simply go unanswered! When prayers serve as a corridor to heaven, idle chatter creates a cloud that prevents the prayers from ascending.

Therefore, let us commit ourselves genuinely, from this day forward, to sanctify our presence in the synagogue and study house solely to words of Torah and prayer. Let's turn off our cell phones before entering the sacred space, and we shall witness blessings from Hashem!

Rabbi Elimelech Biderman tells the story of an Avrech who suffered severely for years from a perforated eardrum. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5775, the Avrech confided to his Rabbi about his inability to endure the pain and had surgery planned for after the holiday. Meanwhile, the Avrech cried from the depths of his heart at Rosh Hashanah prayers and made a true commitment – not to engage in idle conversations in the synagogue. He prayed, saying: "Just as I commit to seal my mouth from idle chatter in the synagogue, I ask You, Creator of the world, to seal the hole in my ear!" Believe it or not, it happened – after the holiday, the Avrech was requested to undergo a final scan before surgery, and the doctor and others present couldn't believe their eyes – the hole in the Avrech's ear had miraculously healed! "Impossible! A medical miracle!" The unbelievable became reality through the omnipotent Creator!