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What does le'ovdo (to serve Him) really mean in the context of prayer? The shiur unpacks the concept of avodah as establishing total dependency on Hashem (ה׳), not merely doing tasks. True tefillah means positioning oneself like an eved before his master—acknowledging complete reliance on the Ribbono Shel Olam for everything.
This shiur explores the deeper meaning of the term "le'ovdo" (to serve Him) in the context of avodas Hashem (ה׳), particularly as it relates to tefillah (prayer). Rabbi Zweig challenges the superficial understanding of avodah as simply performing service or tasks, and instead presents it as establishing a relationship of total dependency. The core teaching is that le'ovdo means creating a state where "I have nothing other than what my master gives me"—a recognition that there is nothing in life that doesn't ultimately come from one's master. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a lived reality that shapes one's approach to prayer and Divine service.
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Concept of le'ovdo and avodah in tefillah
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