Parsha Halacha

Parsha Halacha – Parshat Beha’alotecha

Saying a Chapter of Tehillim Corresponding to One’s Age

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The Torah portion of Beha’alotecha discusses the age at which the Levites would begin their service in the Mishkan.^[1] As such, this article will discuss the custom of saying a chapter of Tehillim (Psalms) corresponding to one’s age.^[2]

Bringing Down the Blessings by Saying Tehillim 

The Alter Rebbe, author of the Tanya, writes^[3] that King David was able to bring the revelations of the Ten Divine attributes into this world. The name David, which can be spelled ^[4]דויד, has the same letters as the explicit name of G-d’s name (הויה) except that in David’s name the two letters of ה are switched for two ד's. The two הs represent the 10 Divine Attributes (the gematriyah of ה is five so two ‘הs equals 10) whereas, when these revelations reach this world, the ה's are switched for ד's. (Dalet represents [spiritual] poverty.^[5])

King David composed Tehillim. The word Tehillim, which literally means praises, can also be translated as “shining,”^[6] so that, by reciting them, one can cause a “shining” of the loftiest levels into this world. 

“As such,” the Alter Rebbe concludes, ”every person needs to say the chapter of Tehillim that corresponds to his age and to acknowledge G-d with these praises.”

From the Ba’al Shem Tov

The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote^[7] that the custom of saying Tehillim corresponding to one’s age (e.g., if one is 13, one should say chapter 14) originates from the Ba’al Shem Tov who told it to his student, the Maggid of Mezrtich, who told it to the Alter Rebbe (see above).

Tehillim for One’s Children

The Previous Rebbe writes^[8] that the elder Chassidim would also say the chapters of Tehillim that correspond to the ages of their children and that this is a segulah that one’s children should stay on the Torah path.

When to Say It?

The best time to say these chapters is before the daily Tehillim following the rule of “that which is more common takes precedence over that which is less common.”^[9] Nevertheless, if one is running late, one may start reciting the daily Tehillim and finish it, as well as the chapter corresponding to one’s years, later in the day.^[10]

Which One to Say on One’s Birthday?

Some people are accustomed to reciting two chapters of Tehillim on their birthday, the one of their previous year and the one of their upcoming year. When asked about whether or not one should say “only the new chapter on one’s birthday or only the new one,” the Rebbe responded^[11] that one should only say the new one and that ישן מהו שייכותו, הרי זה ישן! – “the old one is old and is no longer relevant (to one’s current age).”^[12]

Studying It on Rosh Chodesh

“It is an ancient custom to study on every Rosh Chodesh one verse together with Rashi (one may add other commentaries) of the chapter corresponding to one’s age (i.e., one chapter ahead of one’s actual age). If the chapter has less than 12 verses (or 13 in a leap year), one can learn the verses twice. If it has more than 12 (or 13) verses one can learn two or more verses every Rosh Chodesh.”^[13]

Loving the Rebbe and Reciting his Chapter

The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote^[14] that there three ways that, traditionally, the chassidim show their love for their Rebbe:

1)     By saying a “Horachaman” prayer towards the end of the Birkat HaMazon which blesses the Rebbe.

2)     By reciting the verses that correspond to the Rebbe’s name at the end of the Amidah. 

3)     And by saying the chapter of Tehillim that corresponds to the Rebbe’s age.

A Vessel for Blessings

The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged several Chassidim to continue saying the chapter of Tehillim that corresponded to the age of the Previous Rebbe even after he passed away. He remarked that doing so would make them worthy to receive the blessings which the (Previous) Rebbe had given them.^[15]

Study the Rebbe’s Chapter

In 1991 the Lubavitcher Rebbe remarked^[16] that many people have certainly started to study the inner meanings of Psalm 91 (the Rebbe’s chapter at that time) which had been printed for this purpose.

Connecting the Psalm with the Age

Psalm 81 includes the verse אָנֹכִי ה אֱלֹקֶיךָ הַמַּעַלְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם הַרְחֶב פִּיךָ וַאֲמַלְאֵהוּ׃ – “I, the L-rd, am your G-d who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it,” which represents a tremendous Divine blessing that goes beyond what is expected. The Lubavitcher Rebbe pointed out^[17] that this psalm is recited during one’s 80^th year and that since living to that age is described as achieving strength,^[18] living beyond that age is considered an unusual (and somewhat unexpected) blessing.

King David's Daily Chapter

There’s an allusion to the idea of saying a daily chapter of Tehillim corresponding to one’s age from the Tehillim itself. As is known,^[19] King David passed away when he was seventy years old. The Talmud says^[20] that the first two chapters of Tehillim are actually one chapter, which would mean that the 72^nd chapter is really the 71^st. As such, when he passed away, King David would have been saying (what we call) the 72^nd chapter of Tehillim. This chapter ends with the words כׇּלּוּ תְפִלּוֹת דָּוִד בֶּן יִשָׁי׃ – “The praises of David, son of Jesse, have ended” alluding to the fact that King David passed away at that age.^[21]

The Importance of Saying Tehillim

The Shela writes, “One whose soul yearns to cleave to G-d and to praise Him will attach himself to the book of Tehillim. Fortunate is one who says it with song, joy, concentration, and while understanding what he is saying.”

The Chida writes,^[22] “The segulah of saying Tehillim is well known and is very powerful. One should be careful to read one section every day or at least every week… Studying these (Tehillim, Tanach, Zohar and Mishnah) will definitely protect one in this world and in the next.”

Reb Chaim Volozhiner writes,^[23] “There is no greater Deveikut (cleaving) to G-d than saying Tehillim properly all day.”

Reb Moshe Feinstein wrote^[24] “Saying Tehillim awakens the heart to love God and informs the person how he is in the Hand of G-d and that one cannot hide from Him. This is why saying Tehillim is so important.”

May we merit to have our prayers answered, that Israel be protected from all harm, and that we utterly defeat our Enemies!

[1] Numbers 8:24-26.

[2] See here for more information and sources. 

[3] Ma’amarei Admur Hazakein Haketzarim, page 341.

[4] See I Kings 3:14 and in many places.

[5] See Shabbat 104a where the latter dalet is said to represent a poor man.

[6] See Job 29:3 ( בְּהִלּוֹ נֵרוֹ עֲלֵי רֹאשִׁי – “When His lamp shone over my head…”).

[7] See Kovetz Michtavim, printed in the back of the Chabad Tehillim, page 214. See also Igrot Kodesh of the Previous Rebbe vol. 10, page 53. 

(See there where the Previous Rebbe quotes the traditional blessing given by Chabad Rabbei’im on the occasion of one’s birthday; מזל טוב השי"ת זאל דיר געבין אריכות ימים ושנים, געזונטע טעג און יאהרין בגשמיות וברוחניות – “Mazal Tov! May G-d Almighty give you long days and years, healthy days and years, both physically and spiritually.” He writes that this text is one of the pearls that the Alter Rebbe brought back from the Maggid of Mezritch after his first visit there and that the blessing elicits “a pure light to awaken the Nefesh, Ru’ach and Neshama of a person so that he has the faculties to receive the supernal blessings that come through the levels of the soul,– Chaya and Yechidah.”

[8] Ibid, vol. 1, page 31. The Previous Rebbe writes there that when he heard of the custom to say Tehillim according to one’s age, he accepted upon himself to do so and that since he had turned 26 he would explain the 27^th chapter of Tehillim according to Chassidus, during the course of the upcoming year.

[9] Kovetz Michtavim, ibid. See Zevachim 10:1.

[10] Igrot Kodesh of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, volume 15 page 234.

Saying the daily Tehillim before the chapter of one’s age follows the idea that something with greater holiness takes precedence over something with lesser holiness. This is why communal sacrifices take precedence over private offerings (see Jerusalem Talmud Yoma 2:2). (Although, as mentioned above, the usual order is to say one’s own chapter first, one can reverse the order in case of need based on the reason given here.)

[11] In a letter to Rabbi Michoel Zeligson, printed at the end of this article.

[12] But see the above article that, on several occasions the Chabad Rabbeim said ma’amorim on their birthdays in which they explained the chapter of the previous year. 

[13] Kovetz Michtavim, ibid.

[14] In a footnote on Sefer HaMa’amarim Kuntreisim, vol. 3 page.

[15] Igrot Kodesh, vol. 3 pages 8 and 357. See other sources quoted in Kovetz Hitkashrut (5770), page 235.

[16] Hitva’aduyot, 5751, vol. 3 page 48.

[17] Likutei Sichot vol. 10 page 75, footnote 31.

[18] Pirkei Avot 5:21.

[19] Bereishit Rabbah 96:4

[20] Brachot 9b

[21] Likutei Sichot, ibid. See there as to how to reconcile the two opinions regarding the numbers chapters in Tehillim.

[22] Moreh Ba’Etzba 3:119

[23] Nefesh HaChaim, Sha’ar 4:2

[24] Darash Moshe, End of Derush 18

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom UMevorach!