Tehillim for the Month of Iyar

Tehillim and the Month of Iyar

Tehillim 6:11 יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ ׀ וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּ מְ֭אֹד כָּל־אֹיְבָ֑י יָ֝שֻׁ֗בוּ יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ רָֽגַע׃ “Yevoshu veyibahalu me'od kol oyvai, yashuvu yevoshu rega” - (May all my enemies be ashamed and exceedingly terrified; may they turn back and be ashamed at once.) The first letters of the last four words form the acronym of the word Iyar - אייר, the month of healing. The double repetition of “yevosh u” hints at the neutralization of the forces of evil. Kabbalah connects the inner essence of Iyar with Shabbat—with the three Shabbat meals. Each of them is preceded by the Kiddush ceremony, recited over a cup of wine. When Kiddush is performed, the forces of evil that appear in the world during the month of Iyar are cast down into the dust. This is hinted at in the verse: - “Yevoshu veyibahalu me'od kol oyvai, yashuvu yevoshu rega”. (Tehillim 6:11) The first letter of the word “oyvai” (my enemies) is “alef”; the first letter of the word “yashuvu” (”they will return”) is “yod”; the first letter of the word “yevosh u” (“their shame”) is “yod”; and the first letter of the word “rega” (a moment) is “resh”. Together, they form the word “Iyar” (alef, yod, yod, resh). The gematria of the word “Revayah” (“full,” “quenching thirst”): resh (200) + vav (6) + yod (10) + hey (5) = 221. The gematria of the word “Iyar” is alef (1) + yod (10) + yod (10) + resh (200) = 221. (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov)    Tehillim 23:5 “Ta'arokh lefanai shulchan neged tzorerai, dishanta vashemen roshi, kosi revayah” - (You set a table before me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup is full.) David speaks here of sovereignty in full view of his enemies, Doeg and Ahitophel. But these verses also contain the deepest of secrets: the eternal sovereignty of Israel. The word “revayah” = 221 (to quench thirst). The month “Iyar” = 221 (the month of redemption and healing). “You anoint my head with oil” - You brought him to sovereignty and gave him complete satisfaction. (“Manuscripts of the Arizal,” Tehillim)