RAV KOOK ON Va'Etchanan Part 2: Introducing Prayer with Praise

The Torah records Moses’ pleas to be allowed to enter into the Land of Israel: “O God, Eternal! You have begun to show me Your greatness and power. What force is there in heaven or earth that can perform deeds and mighty acts as You can? Please, let me cross [the Jordan River] and see the good land....” (Deut. 3:24-25) Rabbi Simlai analyzed Moses’ prayer, breaking it up into two components: Praise — “You have begun to show me Your greatness....” The actual request — “Please let me cross....” This, Rabbi Simlai explained, is a model for all prayers. One should begin by praising God, and only afterwards present one’s requests. We need to understand this model. Is it simply a matter of flattering God, just as one might ‘butter up’ a mortal king before making a request? Or is there a deeper significance to this protocol for prayer?