Parshat Va’etchanan begins with Moses recalling his heartfelt prayer to be allowed into the Promised Land.

Rashi comments that the word “va’etchanan” is derived from the word “chinam” — ‘for nothing’ — which tells us that even though the righteous have merits, they know that what they receive from God is a gift ‘for nothing’.

What exactly is Rashi trying to tell us? What is the point of being righteous if everything we receive has nothing to do with our righteousness?

Rabbi Dunner focuses on the concept of prayer, using sources from Talmud, Midrash, and Torah commentaries.

SOURCE SHEET – PARSHAT VA’ETCHANAN 2017