Shabbat Mevarchim and the Recitation of Tehillim
Shabbat Mevarchim and the Recitation of Tehillim
On the Shabbat preceding Rosh Chodesh (the new month), the entire Book of Tehillim is recited.
Tehillim is recited before the Shacharit prayer (preferably).
This is a sacred “vehicle” through which blessings are conveyed for the entire new month.
According to Kabbalah, the blessings for the entire week flow from the preceding Shabbat. Thus, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is an appropriate time to receive blessings for the entire month.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn—the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe—established the custom that every Jew should recite the entire Book of Tehillim before the morning Shacharit prayer on Shabbat Mevarchim.
The Rebbe taught that it is preferable to recite Tehillim collectively—by dividing the Psalms among members of the community or gathering together as a group.
When a person recites any number of chapters of Tehillim, he can merit many blessings. But it is even more powerful when the entire Book of Tehillim is recited by a group of people, because G-d blesses us when we are united and at peace with one another. Moreover, every person who takes part in the collective recitation of Tehillim—even if he recites only a few chapters—is considered to have recited the entire Book of Tehillim.
It is preferable to recite Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim in the morning, before the Shacharit prayer.
The reason for this is to cut away the Klipot (thorns and accusers) before the prayer, so that the prayer will be readily accepted Above.
Regarding the recitation of Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim, the Rebbe wrote:
“Be meticulous about this. It is important for you, your children, and your children's children. We cannot adequately describe the great merit of those who participate in this sacred service by reciting Tehillim on this day (Shabbat Mevarchim) in a community of Jews, or the great pleasure this service brings to the Higher Worlds.”
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn made every effort to cultivate the practice of reciting the entire Book of Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim.
He said: “When Mashiach comes, he will accept no excuses, and will surely ask how many Jews you brought to participate in Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim.” (Tehillim Ohel Yosef Yitzchak)
Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli taught that the pasuk (from Tehillim 106:2) —“Mi yemallel gevurot A-donai, yashmia kol tehilato”— (Who can express the might of G-d and proclaim all His praise?) should be understood as follows:
“Who removes the gevurot, the harsh judgments, from Hashem? The one who allows His praises to be heard [by reciting the entire Sefer Tehillim].”
It is stated in “Shimush Tehillim” (an 11th-century manuscript by Rabbi Hai ben Sherira Gaon) that one recitation of the entire Book of Tehillim on Shabbat = 1,750,000 hours of reciting Tehillim on weekdays.
This demonstrates how important it is to recite the entire Book of Tehillim, especially on Shabbat Mevarchim.
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Tags: Shabbat, The Power of Shabbat, Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim, Shabbat Mevarchim, Shabbat Mevarchim and the Reading of Tehillim
