Birchat Hamazon

By: Machberes Avodas Hashem

The Chafetz Chaim taught: "At the conclusion of the main portion of Grace after Meals we add a series of,' May the All Merciful.' We add numerous such petitions, indicating that a request to God after the performance of a mitzvah is especially acceptable before Him (Michtevei haRav Chafetz Chaim, page 45)."

One of the primary issues of the Exile is, "You wrapped Yourself in a cloud that no prayer can pierce (Lamentations 3:44)." It is more difficult to pray during the Three Weeks than other times during the year because we experience this "cloud." With COVID unfortunately around, this year proves to be even more difficult because our time in shul has changed drastically, and we have never experienced the pain of the three weeks while in a situation similar to the present state of the world. We can use this strategy of the Chafetz Chaim, that of praying immediately after the performance of a mitzvah, so that we may feel that our prayers will be more acceptable before God.

It should be a mitzvah we usually do not perform before prayer. People who are not in the habit of making a gift to charity before prayer should do so. People who are already in the habit of offering charity, should perform an act of kindness, such as calling someone who is lonely, ill, or in mourning.