"We got him out of Russia and even took care of housing for him when he
got here. More than that we can't do. We're not his parents."

Every day of Succos in the "Hoshana " prayers, we refer to G-d as our
Creator (we didn't just happen), our Redeemer (from our problems because He
always watches over us) and our Seeker of our needs (Who never tires of
helping us and listens to our prayers). [As I've said many times, we
shouldn't think "If I would have been G-d, I would have done it
differently", because we don't have G-d's global perspective, and it is
quite understandable that we don't understand all of His ways.] After all
G-d is "our Father, our King".

Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Succos : These are times to think about
our relationship with G-d.

Have a great Succos and Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Dear Rabbi Flom,
If Hashem is always looking out for our best interests, why do we
need to daven for our needs?
Thank you.
Tzivy

Dear Tzivy,
Your question is not only a question on my dvar Torah, but a similar question is frequently asked after Rosh Hashana: If my decree is signed & sealed during Rosh Hashana to Hoshana Rabba, what good is my prayer? [First of all, I must re-iterate that we don't have Hashem's global perspective so we can't understand all of His justice.] The point is basically, that when G-d does what is best for me, or when my decree is signed & sealed, that is meant for me on my level.By praying to Hashem, I am actively acknowledging that He is in control, and consequently I am changing who I am !!(Therefore I might be entitled to something different.)
Thanks for the question. If my answer needs any clarification, please let me know.
Rabbi Flom

I have a related question: After a person has prayed to G-d ...let's say for the recovery of an ill relative ... why do others say "I'll pray for your relative, too"? Surely G-d has heard the initial request and does not need reminders! Nor does He make decisions based on popular vote! Is the answer the same as above...that it is our way of acknowledging G-d's control over our lives? Or is there another reason? (And thank you for your above post. I had always wondered about that!)

Dear Paulette,
Thanks for your letter. (Actually, I always post my dvar Torah on "Torah Portion of the Week", so your reponse was on last year's dvar Torah of Succos.)
Maybe a little elaboration on the subject will be helpful.
Really there are 3 answers (probably more) to the question of "why pray?" if the decree was made on Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur. 1) When a decree is made, it has "elastic " on the sides. ie. With a pull, it can go one way (prayers etc.) or the other (sin).2) As I wrote before, the decree is made for a person who is on ie.level 10. By praying, affirming his belief that G-d is the boss, he elevates his level, so he is no longer the person that that decree was made for.3)In Biraishis 2:5, we see that there was no vegetation because people hadn't been created to work the land. Rashi says that Hashem was waiting for people to pray!! The explanation seems to be that G-d will do things if there is prayer!!
As far as praying for others:It could be that since the sick person is the cause that I am praying, it is a merit for him and that could affect #'s 1 or 2 from above. Or #3 also works.
I hope that this has been helpful. Please feel free to be in touch.
Take care.
Chaim Flom