R. Ashi said: I saw R. Kahana, when there was trouble in the world, removing his cloak, clasp his hands, and pray, saying, ‘[I pray] like a slave before his master.’ When there was peace, he would put it [i.e. a respectable garment] on, cover and enfold himself and pray, quoting, ‘Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.’
Why should what is going on in the world determine how one should daven? If it is the correct way to daven in lowly garments as a slave before his master, then that should be the consistent practice and if the correct way is to daven in respectable clothing then THAT should be the consistent practice? Why does Rav Kahana change his behavior based on "current events"?
There are two approaches to Avodas Hashem and both are crucial. One is fear, awe and trembling. Such an attitude prevents one from ever sinning and anchors any negative powers that a person possesses. Fear keeps a person in check.
The other approach to serving Hashem is love. When a person experiences love he wants to DO. He yearns to give of himself with complete devotion.
Fear evokes a feeling of restraint. Love evokes a desire towards action.
The best way make this determination is to look at the world. If it is a difficult time then we are being guided to serve Hashem as an עבד would, which out of fear. If it is a happy time [the birth of the State, the '69 Mets, bumper to bumper traffic clearing up] then we are receiving a Divine sign that we should serve Him out of love.
This of course will influence the way we daven as well. In a time of צער we will daven as עבדים and sans our fancy clothing. In a time of שמחה we get out the Tux and daven.
This would explain the seemingly contradictory behavior of Rav Kahana in our gemara.
עפ"י עין איה
As we said, both are needed. The question then arises - How do we know when to activate our fear and when to activate our love?
The best way make this determination is to look at the world. If it is a difficult time then we are being guided to serve Hashem as an עבד would, which out of fear. If it is a happy time [the birth of the State, the '69 Mets, bumper to bumper traffic clearing up] then we are receiving a Divine sign that we should serve Him out of love.
This of course will influence the way we daven as well. In a time of צער we will daven as עבדים and sans our fancy clothing. In a time of שמחה we get out the Tux and daven.
This would explain the seemingly contradictory behavior of Rav Kahana in our gemara.
עפ"י עין איה
