Hannah’s Prayer

In the Book of Shmuel (Chapter 1), an incident is recounted that Hannah, wife of Elkana, did not have children. When Hannah made a pilgrimage to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in Shiloh, she cried to Hashem from the depths of her soul and vowed that if Hashem would give her a son, she would dedicate his life to the service of Hashem. At the conclusion of her prayer, she was blessed by the leader of the generation, Eli Ha’Kohen, that Hashem grant her wish. Indeed, shortly thereafter, Hannah became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a son named Shmuel, a reference to the Hebrew words, “for I have requested him from Hashem.” This child grew up to be one of the greatest prophets, Shmuel Ha’Navi. Regarding Hannah’s prayer, the verse states, “And Hannah was speaking upon her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard.”

The…