A man should never seek from the Holy One, blessed be He, a thing that is unnatural.¹ For example, that his wife should give birth in eight months and the child should live or, (to pray) “May it be the Divine will—that I be now beyond the ocean! Even though the capability to do so is in the hand of the Holy One,², 60a. blessed be He, behold this is a vain prayer. One is forbidden to introduce into his prayer³ ed. Hertz, p. 130. an added benediction.⁴ However, the rest of the day, if he wishes to recite songs and praises, may he be blessed.⁵, 21a.

footnotes: ¹ Berakoth 54a. ² Ibid. ³ In the “Eighteen Benedictions.” See, Daily Prayer Book, ⁴ Berakoth 33b. ⁵ Ibid.