5757

Rashi comments that “serving with the heart” is a reference to tefillah, prayer.  Yet, there is a dispute among the Rishonim if daily prayer is min ha’Torah, a Biblical command,  or m’dRabbanan, a  Rabbinnical decree.  While granting that the number of prayers, their text and content reflect Rabbinic input, the Rambam asserts that  the origin of prayer is Biblical.  Ramban contends the concept of  prayer, excluding prayers  of distress, is Rabbinic in origin.  Indeed, since prayer is avodah she’blev, service of the heart, the expression of human feelings and emotions should be man’s creation.   Hence, Chazal composed  the various…