Tikkun Niddah and Tehillim 130 and Tehillim 39

Tikkun Niddah with Tehillim 130 and Tehillim 39

Tehillim 130 and Niddah Tehillim 130:1 states: שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖ים קְרָאתִ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה׃ — “Shir hama'alot, mima'amakim keratikha Ado-nai” — (A Song of Ascents. From the depths I call to You, G-d.) the Ari HaKadosh (may his merit protect us) teaches that it is good to recite Tehillim 130 during the Ten Days of Repentance. The Arizal, in Sefer Sha'ar HaYichudim, speaking with ruach hakodesh, says that Tehillim 130 is connected with the personal Tikkun of every person who has violated the laws of Niddah and Taharat HaMishpachah (the laws of family purity). During the Ten Days of Repentance, we ascend one level higher, according to the level of the Mekubalim, when we do teshuvah with the kavanot of “mima'amakim”—from the depths of the heart. The Arizal gives wheat—“chitah”—as an example: its grain rots in the ground for three days, and then sprouts, with its roots reaching 50 amot deep into the earth. It then begins to grow upward, rising above the ground; it is made into flour, bread is baked, and people eat it with a berachah. This is its Tikkun (rectification). During the Ten Days of Repentance, the 10 valleys עמקים—the “emakim”: Emek Rashit, Emek Ra, Emek Taḥtit... and so forth—are awakened. They come to us from all four directions of the world: south, north, west, and east, as well as from the lowest valleys—corresponding to the 10 Sefirot. And all the “tzarot” (troubles) come precisely from there. But one who recites Mizmor 130 during these days does not leave even the tiniest opening through which these troubles can enter. He can “lematêk dinim” (sweeten the Judgments), and this applies to everything—to the Dinim concerning Israel (chas v'shalom) and to those concerning every individual Jew. The Mekubalim add that it is good to recite this mizmor not only during the Ten Days of Repentance, but every day, directing one's kavanah in accordance with each valley and each Sefirah. Even if you do not understand or know how to make the kavanot, it is still good to recite it.

10 Emek (Valleys) Corresponding to the 10 Sefirot

1. “Emek Rashit” (the primary valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Keter; 2. “Emek Rashit” (the primary one)—corresponding to the attribute of Binah; 3. “Emek Acharit” (the concluding valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Binah; 4. “Emek Tov ve-Ra” (good and evil)—corresponding to the attribute of Da'at; 5. “Emek Darom” (the southern valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Chesed; 6. “Emek Tzafon” (the northern valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Gevurah; 7. “Emek Mizrach” (the eastern valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Tiferet; 8. “Emek Krum ve-Emek Taḥtit” (the lower valley)—corresponding to Netzach and Hod; 9. “Emek Ma'arav” (the western valley)—corresponding to the attribute of the blemish in Yesod (all the troubles come from precisely there); 10. “Emek Ma'arav” (the western valley)—corresponding to the attribute of Malkhut. Tehillim 39 and Niddah Tehillim 39:1 states: נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי ד֭וּמִיָּה הֶחֱשֵׁ֣יתִי מִטּ֑וֹב וּכְאֵבִ֥י נֶעְכָּֽר׃ — “Ne'elamti dumiyah, hechêshti mitov, u-khe'evî ne'ekar” — (I was mute and silent; I kept still even from good, while my pain was stirred up.) The great Pele Yo'etz reveals that the word “Niddah” is encoded in this verse: the roshei tevot, the initial letters of the first three words, form the word נידה—“Niddah” (a ritually impure woman). Therefore, it is good to recite Tehillim 39 with the kavanah of this pasuk, for the rectification of the sin of “Niddah”.

Tikkun le-Pegam ha-Mishpachah al Avon ha-Niddah

(Rectification of family purity and the sin of Niddah) 1. Read Tehillim 130—every day of the year; 2. Read Tehillim 130 for 40 days: Once in the morning—after Birkat HaShachar, before Shacharit, and a second time in the evening—before going to sleep, before Kriat Shema al ha-Mitah. It may also be recited after Tikkun Chatzot. Mizmor 130 may also be recited by a person who is beset by one trouble after another, who has fallen very low because of his sins, or who has committed many transgressions. 3. Recite Tehillim 39 with kavanah directed toward the letters that form the word “Niddah.” The main thing is not to despair, but to begin correcting everything. This world is a world of rectification. (Based on a lesson by the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen, a student of “Matok mi-Dvash”)

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Tags: Tikkunim, Tehillim 130, Tikkun, 10 Days of Repentance, Tikkun Niddah and Tehillim 130, Tikun Niddah

05 Mar 2024