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Amidah: Three Steps Forward |
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Written by Manny Saltiel
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 The Sefer Talilei Oros (to last week’s Parsha, Vayigash) presents an outstanding teaching from HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Shlita. HaRav Shteinman brings the Sefer Rokeach
who writes that the reason we take three steps forward before commencing Shemone Esrei is because the word “Vayigash”--and he approached--appears three times in Tanach: First, “Vayigash Avrohom” (Bereishis18:23)--when Avrohom approached Hashem to plead for the people of Sodom; Second, our Parsha—“Vayigash Eilav Yehuda”--when Yehuda approached Yosef to appeal for Binyomin; and Third, “Vayigash Eliyahu” (Melochim I 18:21)--when Eliyahu approached the people at Har HaCarmel--intending to bring them back to the service of Hashem.
HaRav Shteinman writes that this Sefer Rokeach requires explanation. Yes, Yehuda approached Yosef, and Eliyahu drew close to the people, because when you want to engage another human being, you approach him, you come close to him. Does one, however, come “close” to Hashem by taking three steps forward? Hashem is everywhere--including immediately in front of you--even without taking three steps forward! What does one accomplish at all by taking three steps in front of him? There is, in fact, a great lesson here. When one wants to draw close to Hashem in prayer, he must do something to show that he wants to draw close--that he is not standing in the same place as a moment ago and simply opening his mouth. While one may not be drawing physically closer to Hashem, by deliberately taking measured steps forward, he demonstrates that is not staying in the same position and condition that he was in a few moments ago before this opportunity of personal tefillah. Incredibly, the pasuk immediately preceding Vayigash Avrohom states that Avrohom Avinu was already “Omaid Lifnei Hashem--standing before Hashem” (attaining nevuah at the time)--yet before he could begin his entreaty on behalf of the people of Sodom, he still had to be Vayigash, he still had to take some action to indicate that he was about to begin a very special and privileged encounter-direct prayer before Hashem Himself!
 Hakhel Note: One should recite the introductory Pasuk to Shemone Esrei--“Hashem Sefasi Tiftach (Tehillem 51:17)...--Hashem open my lips...” only **after** having taken these three important steps forward (See Sefer Tefillah KeHilchasa 12:21). One should be in his changed state--in his different place--prior to asking Hashem that in this Shemone Esrei He assist him by opening his mouth in prayer.
So, when taking those three steps forward prior to each Shemone Esrei--we must make sure that it is not only our feet that are moving--but our entire mind and being as well!
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