The Importance of Communal Prayer

R. Isaac said to R. Naḥman: Why did the master not come to the synagogue to pray? [R. Naḥman] said to him: I was [weak and] unable [to come. R. Isaac] said to him: Let the master gather ten [individuals, a prayer quorum, at your home] and pray. [R. Naḥman] said to him: It is difficult for me [to impose upon the members of the community to come to my home to pray with me. R. Isaac suggested another option:] The master should tell the congregation [to send a] messenger when the congregation is praying to come and inform the master [so you may pray at the same time.

R. Naḥman saw that R. Isaac was struggling to find a way for him to engage in communal prayer.] He asked: What is [the reason for] all this [fuss? R. Isaac] said to him: As R. Yoḥanan said in the name of R. Simeon ben Yoḥai: What is [the meaning of] that which is written: But as for me, let my prayer be unto You, Lord, in a time of favor; [O God, in the abundance of Your mercy, answer me with the truth of Your salvation (Psalm 69:14)? It appears that the individual is praying that his prayers will coincide with a special time of divine favor.] When is a time of favor? [It is] at the time when the congregation is praying. [It is beneficial to pray together with the congregation, for God does not fail to respond to the entreaties of the congregation.] R. Yosi, son of R. Ḥanina, said that [the unique quality of communal prayer is derived] from here: Thus said the Lord: In a time of acceptance, I have answered you, and on a day of salvation, I have aided you (Isaiah 49:8). R. Aḥa, son of R. Ḥanina, said [that it is derived] from here: Behold, God is mighty, He despises no one (Job 36:5). [He adopts an alternative reading of the verse: Behold, God will not despise the prayer of the mighty, i.e., the community.] And it is written: He has redeemed my soul in peace so that none came upon me; for there were many with me. [God shall hear and answer them . . . (Psalm 55:19–20). This verse teaches that the prayer was answered because there were many with me when it was offered.] [ . . . ]

That [last proof] was also taught [in a baraita]. R. Nathan says: From where do we know that the Holy One does not despise the prayer of the masses? As it is stated: Behold, God does not despise the mighty, and it is written: He has redeemed my soul in peace so that none came upon me; [for there were many with me. R. Nathan interprets this not as David speaking about himself, but as God speaking to Israel.] The Holy One says: Anyone who engages in Torah [study—which is called peace in the verse: All its ways are peace (Proverbs 3:17)]—and in acts of kindness, and prays with the congregation, I ascribe to him [credit] as if he redeemed Me and My children from among the nations of the world.

[Continuing to extol communal prayer,] Resh Lakish said: One who has a synagogue [nearby] in his city but does not enter to pray there is called an evil neighbor, as it is stated: Thus said the Lord: As for all My evil neighbors who touch My inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit, [behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck the house of Judah up from among them (Jeremiah 12:14). One who only touches, but does not enter, the place of prayer, My inheritance, is considered an evil neighbor.] And furthermore, [he is punished in that] he causes himself and his children [to go into] exile, as it is stated: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck the house of Judah up from among them.