“May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble” (Psalms 20:2) – the Rabbis said: To what is the matter comparable? To a king’s son who took to evil ways. He had three tutors. The first said: ‘Let us make for him chains [that weigh] one hundred litra.’
The second said: ‘He will not be able to withstand chains of one hundred litra. Instead, make for him chains [weighing] twelve litra.’ The third came and said: ‘How will he be able to withstand chains of twelve litra? Make for him chains [weighing] one litra.’
So, Moses said: Let chains of one hundred litra be made for them, as it is stated: “Many evils and troubles will find them” (Deuteronomy 31:17). David said: Let chains of twelve litra be made for them, as it is stated: “May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble” – just as the day is twelve hours. When Jeremiah arose, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, they do not have the strength to withstand what David said: “May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble.”
Instead, make for them chains of one litra,’ as it is stated: “It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but from it he will be saved” (Jeremiah 30:7). Another matter: “May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble” (Psalms 20:2) – Reish Lakish said: To what is the matter comparable? To a woman who was sitting on the birthing stool and she was in distress as she was about to give birth. They said: ‘May He who answered your mother answer you.’
So, David said to Israel: ‘May He who answered Jacob answer you. What prayer did Jacob offer? “I will craft there an altar to God who answers me on the day of my trouble” (Genesis 35:3). You too, “may the Lord answer you at a time of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob fortify you”’ (Psalms 20:2).
Moses said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, when You see Your children in distress and there is no one to ask for mercy for them, answer them immediately.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, as you live, whenever they call Me I will answer them,’ as it is stated: “As is the Lord our God in all of our calling to Him.”