The Sweetest Prayers

There is a well-known story about a man who came to Rabbi Yakov Yisrael Kanievsky (known as the Steipler Gaon, 1899–1985) seeking spiritual guidance and blessings for him and his family. This man was especially distraught over his poor health, and was worried that his condition was putting his family's livelihood in peril. After his audience with the Steipler, the man walked out with a bewildered look on his face, which was noticed by the Rabbi's attendant. "What did the Rabbi tell you?" asked the attendant. "He told me to become the 'candyman' of my shul!" said the man, confused and despondent.

The attendant was equally confused, as he had become accustomed to the types of blessings and advice that the Steipler would typically dispense, and so he decided to approach the Rabbi and ask for an explanation. "It's quite simple," said the Steipler. "To a child, the candyman is the most important person in the shul. Every week, they walk to shul with their parents and hope that the candyman will be there that week to give them a treat. Each child is praying that the candyman will be healthy enough to be there for them that week, and there is no more powerful prayer than those from children. Through the merit of the prayers of the community's children, this man will enjoy a complete and speedy recovery from his illness, and be able to provide for his family."

Anyone who has observed the children davening at KHDS on a daily basis doesn't need any outside references to highlight the power and sweetness of the prayers that come from our children. Whether in our daily minyanim, our middle school girls' morning tefillah, our elementary and early childhood classes davening and bentching in unison, our classes teaching the meaning behind their davening, and heartfelt Tehillim for those needing Divine assistance — their innocent and deep connection to Hashem through prayer is inspirational to us all. So powerful and effective are the prayers of children that the position of candyman is auctioned off each year — often for thousands of dollars!

I'd like to offer you an opportunity to share in the incredible zechus, merit, of our children's prayers. Our 1st grade students receive their first siddur through the generosity of the Michael & Amy Schiffman Endowment Fund and their first Chumashim through the generosity of the Tobie & William Wiener Endowment Fund. Our 8th graders receive graduation gifts of siddurim through the generosity of the PTA. There are, however, many opportunities for you to dedicate the hundreds of other siddurim and bentchers that are well-used, daily. Please contact me to discuss how you, too, can partner with us to share in this priceless merit.