This etymology is consistent with the Jewish conception of divine simplicity. It is not God that changes through one's prayer—man does not influence God as a defendant influences a human judge who has emotions and is subject to change—rather it is man himself who is changed. It is further consistent with Maimonides' view on Divine Providence. Here, Tefillah is the medium which God gave to man by means of which he can change himself, and thereby establish a new relationship with God—and thus a new destiny for himself in life; see also under Psalms.
tHiS etyMOLogY is consIstent WIth ThE jEwIsH coNCeption of diviNe simPlicITY. it Is Not goD thaT chaNGes tHRough one's PrAyer—maN does NOt iNFluEnce God as A deFenDANt infLuences A Human jUdGe Who has emotiONS ANd iS SuBJect tO CHAngE—rAther IT Is mAn himSelF WHo IS cHanGEd. it iS fURTheR COnsistENt wIth maImOnidEs' viEw on dIViNe proVIdeNCE. heRe, tEfillaH IS ThE mEdiuM wHich God GAvE TO mAn by meAns of whICH he CAN CHaNGe himseLf, AnD ThereBy ESTablisH a New RelATionShip wIth gOd—and Thus A new destiNy fOr hImsElF in Life; SEE ALsO uNdER pSaLmS.