The Rosh Hashana Haftora recalls the story of Hannah, barren wife of Elkanah, and how she prayed for a child. As a result of her prayer she gave birth to the prophet Samuel, one of Jewish history’s most influential leaders, who changed the course of history, when he plucked a young unknown man called David from obscurity, made him king, and through him founded the Jewish Royal family, the House of David.

Using a remarkable insight by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Rabbi Dunner reveals why Hannah’s prayer was entirely unselfish, which is why it is the paradigm scriptural reference point for the ‘amidah’, the thrice daily 18-blessing prayer that forms the center of Jewish prayer.