Rav Eliezer Berland shares two prayers to recite, to merit learning Torah.
by Rav Eliezer Berland, Shlita
Table of contents
Prayer #1:
Master of the Universe, allow me to merit to study Torah day and night constantly and that all my enjoyment and pining and longing will be only for words of Torah and the faithful, for it is with each and every letter of the holy Torah that tens and hundreds of thousands of angels are created.
And may I merit to study Torah in holiness and purity with a happy heart with righteous and clean and pure thoughts and by this shall I be kindled to you with a burning flame during the course of my Torah study.
And I will not want anything with regards to matters of this world; only to want You, just like it is written, “Like a deer, just as it would linger on streams of water; so too my soul pines for you Elokim. And my proximity to Hashem does well for me. I have made Hashem Elokim my refuge and will tell all of your machinations. Who have I in Shamayim besides you? My flesh and my heart may fail me, but Elokim is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
And may I merit fulfilling the verse, “For a day in your courtyard is better than a thousand that I have chosen.” And Rashi says that it is better to be a day in your courtyard and to die tomorrow than to live a thousand years in another place.
And so shall all the words of the holy Torah be truly and simply beloved to me. And I shall study Torah day and night without a break of (even) a second from now until forever. Amen. Netzach. Selah. Vaed.
Prayer #2:
Master of the Universe, All Merciful, Omniscient One, without depriving you of a plot; Master of the Universe, open for me my mind and my brain so that they will be open to studying your Torah.
And may I merit a great desire to study Torah constantly day and night so that nothing in the world can stop me from studying Torah. And (then) I will feel the joy of Torah and have love of the Torah in all 248 limbs and 365 sinews (of mine) and all of my limbs will delight and enjoy in studying Torah.
And the holy Mochin of Torah studying shall encompass all 248 limbs and 365 sinews of mine. And with the merit of our holy Rabbeinu shall the desire of studying Torah grow and be strengthened within me more and more and may it be fulfilled by me the verse of which it is written, “Only in my forefathers has Hashem desired.”
And I will feel your love for me which is ingrained in Torah study. And I will feel the sweetness which makes up Torah study, and that is the sweetest thing in the world.
And may it be established for me the verse, “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey; than honey from the honeycomb.” And I will then see wonders and miracles by merit of Torah study until I reach the level of Ruach Hakodesh through the holy Torah.
And I will merit to also resurrect the dead by merit of the holy Torah.
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Lord, I cannot believe how much time I waste. Please
help me be more intense about my studies. I really am
interested in the things that the professor says in class.
But when I finally sit down to study, I welcome distractions
from studying so easily. You have given me a good
mind, and you want me to explore your creation. Give me
enthusiasm, Lord, for the subjects I am studying.
Keep my eyes open and my mind on topic. Help me learn the
material so that I can explain it clearly and convincingly to
others, especially my friends.
Jesus, you must have spent a lot of time reflecting on life to
think of the parables that are recorded in the Gospels.
Make me a good, critical thinker and help me to express myself
clearly. Help me to use my mind for your greater Glory. Amen.
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Prayer for Preparation to Study
Lord, I know you are with me and love me.
Give me peace of mind as I prepare for this time of study.
Help me to focus on my books and notes,
keep me from all distractions so that I will make the best use
of this time that is available to me.
Give me insight that I might understand what I am studying ,
and help me to remember it when the time comes.
Above all, I thank you for the ability to be able to study
and for the many gifts and talents you have given me.
Help me always to use them in such a way
that they honour you and do justice to myself. Amen
Prayer Before an Examination
Dear Lord, as I take this exam, I thank you that my value
Is not based on my performance, but on your great love for me.
Come into my heart so that we can walk through this time together.
Help me, not only with this test, but the many tests of life that are sure to come my way.
As I take this exam, bring back to my mind everything I studied
and be gracious with what I have overlooked.
Help me to remain focussed and clam, confident in the facts and in my ability,
and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today you are there with me. Amen
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