EPISODE · Jan 20, 2026 · 17 MIN
When I Lost My Voice, I Learned How to Pray | 10@9 | 2026.01.20
from Mining The Riches Of The Parsha · host Rabbi Michael Whitman
This morning I describe a period I went through nineteen years ago with problems in my vocal chords, culminating in surgery, which was slowly and gradually successful over time. I share what it was like to not be able to speak for a while, and how I have tried hard, till this day, to not take my ability to speak for granted. But the worst impact was not being able to pray properly, which is by saying the words aloud, since I had to speak no words for a time. We explain why this is a requirement of prayer. And we learn a lesson from Paro (of all people!) in how to pray deeply and consciously. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.
What this episode covers
This morning I describe a period I went through nineteen years ago with problems in my vocal chords, culminating in surgery, which was slowly and gradually successful over time. I share what it was like to not be able to speak for a while, and how I have tried hard, till this day, to not take my ability to speak for granted. But the worst impact was not being able to pray properly, which is by saying the words aloud, since I had to speak no words for a time. We explain why this is a requirement of prayer. And we learn a lesson from Paro (of all people!) in how to pray deeply and consciously. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.
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When I Lost My Voice, I Learned How to Pray | 10@9 | 2026.01.20
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