"Be not overeager to go to the house of God. (Ecclesiastes 4:17)
This verse warns one to inspect oneself and to be careful when one wishes to pray before God. One should see if one has “detractors” who keep one’s prayer from being received. One must clear the path and remove all the obstacles in the way. It is similar to a person who goes to the king’s court to seek advice. He must be careful and aware of whether there is danger on the way. He must also know how many gates the king’s house has [and the approaches to them], one inside the other. He must know and be beloved by each of the gatekeepers and he must know and make peace with the one who wants to deter him."
This verse warns one to inspect oneself and to be careful when one wishes to pray before God. One should see if one has “detractors” who keep one’s prayer from being received. One must clear the path and remove all the obstacles in the way. It is similar to a person who goes to the king’s court to seek advice. He must be careful and aware of whether there is danger on the way. He must also know how many gates the king’s house has [and the approaches to them], one inside the other. He must know and be beloved by each of the gatekeepers and he must know and make peace with the one who wants to deter him."
— Opening page of Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla’s Sha’are Orah
