Tehillim 119 and Parashat Vayishlach
“Tikunei Shabbat” teaches that reciting Tehillim 119 nullifies the kelipot, the forces of impurity. The kelipot also include our enemies and the yetzer hara. It is stated in Devarim (6:19): “Laadof et kol oyevecha mipanecha kaasher diber Ad-nai” — (driving out all your enemies before you, as G-d spoke). “Or Pnei Moshe” teaches that one can remove enemies from one's path by reciting Tehillim 119. The word להדף “laadof” has a gematria of 119. The word את “et” alludes to the eight verses in each section of Psalm 119. “Or Pnei Moshe” writes: “When a Jew recites Tehillim 119, his inner enemies are broken and disappear on their own.” “Imrei Noam” reveals that before Yaakov went out to meet Esav, he recited chapter 119 for protection: “Vayishlach Yaakov malakhim lefanav el Esav achiv artzah Seir sedeh Edom” — (and Yaakov sent angels before him to Esav, his brother). (Vayishlach 32:3)The gematria of the word “lefanav” is 176, alluding to the 176 verses of Tehillim 119.
Tehillim 119 begins with the words “Ashrei temimei derech” — (happy are those whose way is perfect). The Torah calls Yaakov “ish tam” (an upright man).
Yaakov's struggle with Esav's angel is described in the Torah as follows: “Vayaavek ish imo ad alot ha-shachar” — (and a man wrestled with him until dawn). The gematria of “vayaavek” is 119. All these examples allude to the fact that reciting Tehillim 119 helped Yaakov Avinu overcome Esav. It is beneficial to recite Tehillim 119 every day. If that is difficult, then at least once a week. This chapter destroys all enemies, both external and internal. (Based on “The Well of Torah” by Rabbi Elimelech Biderman)
