Why Sefer Tehillim and the Holy Zohar May Be Read Even Without Understanding

Why Sefer Tehillim and the Holy Zohar May Be Read Even Without Understanding

Studying the holy books of the Zohar and Tehillim greatly contributes to the purification and sanctification of the soul. Even if a person does not understand everything he says and makes mistakes, it is still of great value in the eyes of G-d, as it is written: “And his banner (diglo) over me was love”. (Song of Songs 2:4) The Midrash “Shir HaShirim Rabbah” writes: “And his omissions (dilugo) over me were love”. (on Song of Songs 2:4) Our Sages, of blessed memory, reveal the following through a play on words: the word “diglo” (his banner) is read by the Midrash as “dilugo” (his skipping), and this verse is interpreted as follows: “And his skipping (omissions and errors in reading) over Me (the Almighty) is love.” Rabbi Aha said: If an unlearned person reads “ve-ahavta” (and you shall love) as “ve-ayavta” (and you shall hate) [in the Shema], the Almighty says: “And his error (ve-dilugo) is love to Me.” Rabbi Issachar said: If a child reads Moshe as Mashe, Aharon as Aharan, and Ephron as Ephran, the Holy One, blessed be He, says: “And his childish mispronunciation (ve-liglugo) is love to Me.” Thus, according to the words of the Sages, the Almighty lovingly accepts these errors in reading. Chazal explain that this is like a baby’s babbling: a baby does not yet know how to speak properly and pronounces only half-syllables or distorts words, yet the parents are still delighted by his speech and understand everything. We are the children of the Almighty, and the present generation is, in fact, a “tinok shenishba” (a child taken captive). How much more does He Who dwells in Heaven rejoice when a Jew loves the Torah and wishes to study it, even if he does not understand everything or has no one from whom to learn. He is still bringing pleasure to the Creator and will receive a reward for it. There are opinions that when studying Mishnah or Tanakh, one should at least understand what is being discussed. But when a person reads Sefer Tehillim or the Holy Zohar, the Almighty is pleased with his study even if he understands nothing. And one who is capable of studying and grasping the simple meaning written in the Holy Zohar will find within it words of sweetness that draw a person’s heart toward his Father in Heaven. The book of Tehillim is very popular. Nevertheless, everyone should also acquire the Holy Zohar and read each week what is written there in accordance with the weekly Torah portion. This is a great safeguard against the evil inclination, so that it will not entice a person into idleness, for idleness, as is well known, is a great evil. Therefore, a person should establish a daily study schedule—for example, 18 chapters of Mishnah, the book of Tehillim, and (part of) the weekly Torah portion from the Holy Zohar. It has already been said that “a little with concentration is better than much without concentration.” (Tur, Orach Chaim 1) When a person studies the secrets of the Holy Zohar, he should bear in mind that everything written there contains many additional hidden meanings. Therefore, he should be humbled by how little he is capable of comprehending. I wish to issue a warning: one who studies the Holy Zohar must be very careful not to arrive at an incorrect understanding. When studying concepts such as “father,” “mother,” “son,” “daughter,” “the Small Countenance” and the like, as well as the names of human organs—“head,” “eyes,” “ears” and the like—one should not think that there are forms corresponding to these concepts in the spiritual world. Concerning this it is written: “Cursed is the person who makes an idol or image and sets it up in secret” (Deuteronomy 27:15)—in secret from the world. One should believe with all one’s heart that none of these descriptions has any connection whatsoever to what exists above; they are merely spiritual light and a mystery that the human mind cannot comprehend. All the descriptions presented in the Holy Zohar are metaphorical descriptions intended to explain certain details to one who understands. We cannot comprehend all of this, and under no circumstances should we attempt to visualize it. We need only read these words aloud, having first recited the prayer “Vihi Noam”: “Vihi noam Ad-nai Eloheinu aleinu, uma'aseh yadeinu konenehu aleinu, uma'aseh yadeinu konenehu”— (May the favor of the L-rd, our G-d, rest upon us. May He establish the work of our hands for us; may He establish the work of our hands.) And this is sufficient for us.   (Based on the book “Pele Yoetz” by Rabbi Eliezer Papo, letter “Zayin”; “Shir HaShirim Rabbah” 2:4)