Weekly Cycle



Sunday, February 1, 2015

Week 47 (Book 5): Serach and the Month of Virgo


SONG OF SONGS: 9. If she be a wall, we will build upon her a silver turret, and if she be a door, we will enclose her with cedar boards.
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Serach and Chushim
TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 47 – An Oath that Returns to Its Place
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 47

Week 47 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Elul is the month of Teshuvah, in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. The zodiac sign associated with this month is Virgo.
The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week appears to be speaking about the Jewish people as a young girl, a virgin (a “little sister with no breasts” – see last week). Rashi shows how this week’s connection to Elul is even more clear, specifically about the need for Jewish people to maintain (or regain) its chastity:
If she be a wall: If she is strong in her faith and in her fear [of God], to be against them like a copper wall, that they should not enter her midst, meaning that she will not intermarry with them, and they will not come into her, and she will not be seduced by them.   
we will build upon her a silver turret: We will be to her as a fortified city and for a crown and for beauty, and we will build for her the Holy City and the chosen Temple.   
and if she be a door: which turns on its hinges, and when one knocks on it, it opens. She, too, if she opens for them so that they enter her and she [enters] them.   
we will enclose her with cedar boards: We will put into her door wooden boards which rot and which the worm gnaws and eats.
Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the forty-seventh mentioned is Serach, appropriately a woman, one of the very few mentioned in this counting. Stories of Serach abound, including that she was one of the few to know the secrets of redemption, therefore able to identify Moshe as the redeemer. She is best known for the Midrash that states that she was the one to tell Jacob about the news that Joseph was alive, and that she told it in such a way that Jacob was able to absorb the information without dying of shock. For this she was granted eternal life. Serach’s name appears related to Sarah’s, yet with a Chet instead of a Heh. In general, Chet is connected to the word Cheit, sin, yet also to the ability to repent and rectify the past. Chet’s numerical value is eight, which is related to that which is above nature, such as teshuvah (repentance) and the Messianic age.
This week is also connected with Chushim. Chushim means “senses,” which is particularly interesting since it said that he was deaf. Yet it was because of deafness that he was able to kill Esau. During Elul we work on correcting the sins we committed with each of our senses.
Daf Mem Zayin (Folio 47) of Shvuot continues the discussion of those disqualified from taking oaths. It also mentions orphans that cannot take an oath, and those people that are clearly lying. Interestingly, there is a discussion about an oath “returning to its place,” returning to Mt. Sinai. Although primarily related to Heavenly punishment for those that take advantage of the situation and steal, it also seems to be a reference to Teshuvah.
Chapter 47 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. The chapter speaks of people crying out, as well as the downfall of the Philistines. As mentioned last week, each gentile nation is associated with a specific impurity. (Likutei Moharan Torah Kuf Alef, Lesson 101)
1. That the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh smote Gaza. 
2. So said the Lord: Behold water is coming up from the north, and it shall become a flooding stream and will inundate a land and the fullness thereof, a city and those who dwell therein, and the people shall cry out, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail. 
3. From the sound of the stamping of the hoofs of his mighty ones, from the noise of his chariots, the stirring of his wheels; fathers did not turn to sons out of [the] feebleness of [their] hands, 
4. because of the day that is coming to plunder all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every surviving helper, for the Lord plunders the Philistines, the remnant of the island of Caphtor. 
5. Baldness has come to Gaza, Ashkelon has become a waste, yea the remnant of their valley; how long will you tear your flesh?  
6. Ho! Sword of the Lord, how long will you not be silent'? Go into your sheath, rest and be silent.  
7. How shall you be silent when the Lord commanded it? To Ashkelon and to the sea coast, there He appointed it.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Week 48 (Book 5): Heber and To Be Connected


SONG OF SONGS: 10. I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers, then I was in his eyes as one who finds peace.
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Heber and Naftali
TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 48 – New Moon
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 48

Week 48 in the Jewish calendar is the second week of Elul. The zodiac sign for this month is virgo. The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week continues to speak of the Jewish people as a young virgin/bride. She promises to stand strong against any who try to seduce her, and because of this she finds peace with her Husband.
Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the forty-eighth mentioned is Heber. Heber means friend, connection – perhaps a reference to the strong bond we have with G-d during this month, which stands for “Ani LeDodi veDodi Li,” “I am for my Beloved and my Beloved is for me.” Heber is also the name of the husband of another incredibly important Biblical female figure: Yael.
This week is also connected with Naftali. Of all the children of Jacob, it is only Naftali that is associated with a female animal because the prophetess Deborah comes from this tribe (Rashi). Naftali is described by Jacob as an Ayalah Shluchah (a swift gazelle, similar to the name Yael, which means “mountain goat”). Naftali also comes from the word for “sweetness,” also associated with the Divine closeness we experience during this month.
Daf Mem Cheit (Folio 48) of Shvuot discusses contradicting testimonies about the new moon and about whether money was given. It also discusses swearing of orphans, comparing it to that of a woman that swears in order to receive the rest of her ketubah that was already partially paid. Finally, the daf discusses overturning a final ruling and swearing about uncertain claims. Again, the theme Teshuvah and renewal (“New Moon,” overturning final rulings) is quite prevalent, as well as the female theme connected to Elul.
Chapter 48 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. The chapter speaks of the downfall of Moab. As mentioned last week, each gentile nation is associated with a specific impurity. (Likutei Moharan Torah Kuf Alef, Lesson 101)

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Week 49 (Book 5): The King is in the Field


SONG OF SONGS: 11. Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-Hamon; he gave the vineyard to the keepers; each one brought for the fruit thereof one thousand pieces of silver.
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Malkiel and Jahze’el
TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 49 – Being a Watchman/Keeper
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 49

Week 49 in the Jewish calendar is the third week of Elul. The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week compares the Jewish people to a vineyard, as well as populous nation placed in the hand of the nations of exile (“the keepers”).
The verse can also be interpreted in light of the teaching of the Alter Rebbe that during the month of Elul, the King is in the field, and greets each person with a smile. In Shir HaShirim, the name Solomon is a reference to Hashem Himself. He comes to the field (the vineyard) and to each keeper (each Jewish person). Each person shows an enormous desire to connect to G-d during this month, a thousand pieces of silver (silver, kesef, in Kabbalah stands for desire, kissufim).
Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the forty-ninth mentioned is Malkiel. Malkiel means “my King is G-d.” In addition to the idea that during Elul, “the King is in the field,” this week is also connected with Malchut shebeMalchut. (See Week 49, Book 1)
Week 49 is also connected with Jahze’el, which means “G-d will apportion (or divide, break)” (See Week 40, Book 2) Here is also appears related to the quality of Malchut, both being apportioned the position as well as the idea of being humble/broken.
Daf Mem Tet (Folio 49) of Shvuot is practically a chapter in itself, discussing the four kinds of watchmen (Shomrim): one watches for free, one borrows, another receives a fee, and the last rents. They all have different levels of rights and obligations. It interesting to note the similarity between this section and that of Shir HaShirim, also related to watchmen/keepers. As we approach the end of the year, we also need to show that we have taken good care of that which we have been entrusted: our soul. If we have not taken such good care of it, it is time to make things right.
Chapter 49 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. The chapter speaks of the downfall of Ammon, as well as Edom, Aram, and Elam. As mentioned last week, each gentile nation is associated with a specific impurity. (Likutei Moharan, Lesson 101)

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Week 50 (Book 5): The King's Field


SONG OF SONGS: 12. My vineyard, which is mine, is before me; you, O Solomon, shall have the thousand, and those who watch its fruit, two hundred.
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Rachel and Guni
TALMUD MAKKOT: Up to Daf 8
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 50

Week 50 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Chai Elul, the birthday of the Ba’al Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe. The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week again compares the Jewish people to a vineyard, and states that Hashem will reclaim his field, and the nations will repay us for all they have taken.
This verse also appears to make some interesting references to the two men whose birthday is this week. The vineyard mentioned belongs to “Ba’al Hamon,” which is similar to the Ba’al Shem Tov’s name. Furthermore, “Hamon,” which means many also appears to be a reference to Avraham, who our sages explain means “Av Hamon Goyim,” the father of many nations. The Ba’al Shem Tov’s role as the founder of Chassidut is known to be in many ways parallel to that of Avraham.
The Alter Rebbe’s name was Schneur Zalman. Zalman is the Yiddish form of the name Solomon, Shlomoh. Schneur means Shnei Ohr, “two lights,” a reference to his revelations in the areas of Nistar (the hidden Torah, Chassidism and Kabbalah) and Nigleh (the revealed Torah, Jewish law) The Alter Rebbe received the field, the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, and “watched its fruit,” developing them into a system known as Chassidut Chabad (which stands for Chochmah, Binah and Da’at). He successfully transmitted all of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov (the full thousand silver coins, which represent the desire for G-d) and added another two hundred, like his name, in both the hidden and revealed areas of Torah.
Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the fiftieth referred to here is Rachel. Of all the Matriarchs, she is the only one whose name is mentioned in extra time, specifically as the wife of Jacob, again continuing the greater emphasis on women and closeness to G-d connected to the month of Elul and the sign of Virgo. The name Rachel means a female sheep, which indicates a devotedness to the Shepherd, Hashem, also associated with this month.
This week is also connected with Guni, son of Naftali. Guni appears related to the word Gani,  “my garden,” found in Shir HaShirim, perhaps also a reference to the special closeness we have  with G-d during this month, in which “the King is in the field.”
Folios 2 through 8 of Makkot includes all of Chapter 1, which is mostly about invalidating witnesses. Similarly, the teshuvah (repentance), tefilah (prayer) and tzedakah (charity) performed during Elul “invalidates” the heavenly accusations made against us due to our sins.  

Daf 7 and 8 are part of Chapter 2 of Makkot, which describes the laws of someone who needs to go to a city of refuge because of an accidental killing. The entire concept of the city of refuge is about teshuvah. Also included in this discussion is the idea of Yeridah leTzorech Aliyah, a descent for the sake of an ascent. This is a fundamental principle in teshuvah and key concept in Chassidut in general.   
Chapter 50 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. The chapter speaks of the downfall of the greatest empire at the time, Babylon. It also contains a message of consolation for the Jewish people, referring to them as sheep, and also mentioning the fields of the Land of Israel. It also contains a message of forgiveness related to the month of Elul.
5. They shall inquire of Zion; their faces are directed hitherward. "Come and join the Lord [with] an everlasting covenant that shall not be
6. My people were lost sheep, their shepherds caused them to stray, [to the] mountains [they] led them astray; from mountain to hill they went, they forgot their resting place. 
7. All who found them devoured them, and their adversaries said, "We are not to blame because they sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice and the hope of their forefathers-the Lord."
(...)
17. A scattered sheep is Israel which lions have driven away. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and this last one broke his bones, Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon. 
18. Therefore, so said the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Behold I visit retribution upon the king of Babylon and upon his land, as I visited upon the king of Assyria.
19. And I will return Israel to his dwelling and he shall pasture in the Carmel and the Bashan, and in Mount Ephraim and Gilead shall his soul be sated. 
20. In those days and at that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but it shall not be there, and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found, for I will forgive those I leave over.


Sunday, January 11, 2015

Week 51 (Book 5): Speaking to the King


SONG OF SONGS: 13. You, who sit in the gardens the friends hearken to your voice; let me hear [it].
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Joseph and Yetzer
TALMUD MAKKOT: Daf 9 - 16
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 51

Week 51 in the Jewish calendar is the last week of Elul. The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week speaks of the Jewish people sitting in the gardens, while G-d asks to hear their voice. This again is connected to the idea of the King being in the field. He is waiting for us to speak to Him.

Rashi explains that the gardens mentioned are those of strangers during exile and the friends are the angels that hear the voice of the Jewish people in the synagogues. This appears to be particularly connected with Rosh Hashanah. The voice that Hashem hears may also be the voice of the Shofar, our desperate cry to reconnect to G-d.

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the fifty-first added here is Joseph, who is mentioned separately, along with his mother Rachel and his brother Benjamin. Joseph is the Tzadik Yesod Olam, the foundation of the world, from whom comes both the physical and spiritual sustenance for the rest of the world. This quality is closely associated with Rosh Hashanah, the day in which the sustenance for the entire rest of the year is decided. Tishrei is also associated with the Tribe of Efraim.

This week is also connected with Yetzer, son of Naftali. This name is a reference to the teshuvah (repentance) we perform for the sins committed because of our Yetzer Harah, our evil inclination. Yetzer also comes from the the world Yotzer, creator. It is on Rosh Hashanah that we crown Hashem as King, the Creator of the Universe.

Dappim 9 through 16 of Makkot includes all of Chapter 2 (folios 9 through 13), which is all about cities of refuge. Dapim 13 through 16 are part of Chapter 3, regarding different laws related to lashes and whether or not they are given under various circumstances. Elul is connected to both concepts – we seek refuge as well as repentance and early atonement, so that we are ready for Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgement.

Chapter 51 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. The chapter continues to speak of the judgment and the downfall of the greatest empire at the time, Babylon. Just as Babylon was a “destroyer,” so it will be destroyed. It seems related to the idea of vengeance associated with the cities of refuge, yet Babylon will have no place to hide. It will be severely punished for its murders.

20. You are for Me a shatterer, yea weapons of war, and with you I would shatter nations, and with you I would destroy kingdoms.

21. And with you I would shatter a horse and his rider, and with you I would shatter a chariot and its rider. 

22. And with you I would shatter man and woman, and with you I would shatter elder and youth, and with you I would shatter young man and virgin. 

23. And with you I would shatter a shepherd and his flock, and with you I would shatter a farmer and his team, and with you I would shatter governors and officers. 

24. And I will recompense Babylon and all the inhabitants of [the land of] the Chaldeans for all their evil that they committed in Zion before your eyes, says the Lord. 

25. Behold I am against you, O destroying mountain, says the Lord, who destroys all the earth, and I will stretch out My hand upon you and roll you down from the rocks and make you a burnt mountain.

(…)

49. As Babylon [caused] the slain of Israel to fall, so in Babylon shall fall the slain of all the land. 

50. Fugitives from the sword, go, do not stand still! Remember the Lord from the distant past, and let Jerusalem enter your mind.

51. "We are ashamed for we have heard reproach, embarrassment has covered our faces, for strangers have come upon the sanctuaries of the house of the Lord."  

 “The hand of our god is exalted for we have destroyed His house.”   

52. Therefore, behold days are coming, says the Lord, and I will visit retribution upon her graven images and throughout her land the mortally wounded shall groan.  



Sunday, January 4, 2015

Week 52 (Book 5): Transforming the World and Becoming Whole


SONG OF SONGS: 14. Flee, my beloved, and liken yourself to a gazelle or to a fawn of the hinds on the spice mountains."
70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Benjamin and Shilem
TALMUD MAKKOT: Daf 17 - 24
BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 52

Week 52 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Rosh Hashanah. The verse of Shir HaShirim for this week speaks of the Jewish people asking G-d to be like a gazelle on the spice mountains. It is in a sense a “crowning” of G-d, just as the gazelle’s antlers are like a crown. (See Book 1, Week 36) In Rosh Hashanah (the beginning of the “High Holidays”) we also reach new heights, exemplified here by the spice mountains. We “flee” the limitations of the world and connect to G-d on a much higher plane.
Rashi explains that the Jewish people are asking Hashem to take us out of the exile and hasten the redemption, so that we may serve Him on Mount Moriah, where Avraham sacrificed Isaac. Mount Moriah and the sacrifice of Isaac are also one of the themes of Rosh Hashanah.
Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the fifty-second added here is Benjamin, who was also mentioned separately. Benjamin comes from the word Ben Yamin. 52 has the numerical value of Ben. (See Week 52, Book 1) Yamin means right hand, strong hand. On Rosh Hashanah we feel G-d’s strength. Also, by working on ourselves throughout the entire year, we experience a self-transformation similar to Benjamin, whose name went from being Ben Oni (child of my suffering) to Ben Yemini, son of my right hand. Exile may have its share of difficulties, but it also comes with its share of rewards.
This week is also connected with Shilem, son of Naftali. Shilem comes from the word Shalem, which means “complete.” We arrive here at the completion of our journey. Shilem also literally means “paid.” Through exile we also atoned for our sins.
Dappim 17 through 24 of Makkot includes the remainder of Chapter 3, which is about different sins for which one is lashed. At the very end, the Chapter discusses decrees that were annulled, as well as the exile in general and the ultimate redemption. As mentioned previously, the theme of atonement, as well as the wish to end the exile is very much associated with Rosh Hashanah.
Chapter 52 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. This last chapter, for the week in which we crown G-d as King, begins by focusing on the life of the last of king of the Kingdom of Judah, Zedekiah. It speaks of the great suffering he underwent. It then returns to the the dire accounting of what happened to Jerusalem and to the Temple, as well as the remaining exiles. Like the end of Makkoth, despite all the tragedy, it ends on a positive note:
31. And it was in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month,[1] that Evil-merodach, king of Babylon, in the year of his coronation, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin, king of Judah and released him from prison.  
32. And he spoke with him kindly and placed his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 
33. And he changed his prison garb, and he ate meals before him regularly all the days of his life. 
34. And his meals, regular meals were given him from the king of Babylon, each day's need in its day, all the days of his life.





[1] The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month (counting from Tishrei) is the 25th of Elul, the first day of Creation, the week of Rosh Hashanah.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Book 6 in a Nutshell

B"H


Tehilim and Perek Shirah
Tikkun Klali
Psalm 89

Rosh Hashanah
Psalms 1-3
Psalm 16
1. A michtam of David; O G-d, guard me for I have taken refuge in You.
2. You should say to the Lord, "You are my Master; my good is not incumbent upon You.
3. For the holy ones who are in the earth, and the mighty ones in whom is all my delight.
4. May the sorrows of those who hasten after another [deity] increase; I will not pour their libations of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.

1. A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.    
2. The kindnesses of the Lord I shall sing forever; to generation after generation I shall make known Your faithfulness, with my mouth.  

Yom Kippur
Psalms 4-6
5. The Lord is my allotted portion and my cup; You guide my destiny.
6. Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places; even the inheritance pleases me."
7. I will bless the Lord, Who counseled me; even at night my conscience instructs me.
3. For I said, "Forever will it be built with kindness; as the heavens, with which You will establish Your faithfulness."  

Sukkot
Psalms 7-9
8. I have placed the Lord before me constantly; because [He is] at my right hand, I will not falter.
9. Therefore, my heart rejoiced, and my soul was glad; even my flesh shall dwell in safety.
10. For You shall not forsake my soul to the grave; You shall not allow Your pious one to see the pit.
4. I formed a covenant with My chosen one; I swore to David My servant.    

Shemini Atzeret
Psalms 10-12
11. You shall let me know the way of life, the fullness of joys in Your presence. There is pleasantness in Your right hand forever.
Psalm 32
1. Of David, a maskil Praiseworthy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is concealed.
2. Praiseworthy is the man to whom the Lord ascribes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3. When I was silent, my bones decayed with my moaning all day long.
5. Until eternity, I shall establish your seed, and I shall build your throne for all generations forever.  

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
Psalms 13-15
4. For [both] day and night Your hand is heavy upon me; my freshness was transformed as in the droughts of summer, forever.
5. I would inform You of my sin, and I did not conceal my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin forever.
6. For this let every pious man pray to You at the time that You are found, only about a flood of vast waters [that] should not reach him.
6. And the heavens acknowledge Your wonder, O Lord, also Your faithfulness in the congregation of holy ones.   

First Week of Cheshvan
(Potential 3rd Temple Holiday)
Psalms 16-18
7. You are a shelter for me, from an adversary You guard me; with songs of deliverance You encompass me forever,
8. "I will enlighten you and instruct you which way [to go]; I will wink My eye to you."
9. Be not like a horse, like a mule that does not discern; whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle, so that when he is being groomed, he does not come near you.
7. For who in the heavens is equal to the Lord? [Who] resembles the Lord among the sons of the mighty?    

Second Week of Cheshvan
(3rd Temple)
Psalms 19-21
10. Many are the pains of the wicked, but as for him who trusts in the Lord- kindness will encompass him.
11. Rejoice with the Lord and exult, You righteous, and cause all those of upright hearts to sing praises.
Psalm 41
1. For the conductor, a song of David.
2. Praiseworthy is he who looks after the poor; on a day of calamity the Lord will rescue him.
8. G-d is revered in the great council of the holy ones and feared by all around Him.  

Third Week of Cheshvan
(3rd Temple)
Psalms 22-24
3. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be praised in the land, and You will not deliver him into the desire of his enemies.
4. The Lord will support him on his sickbed; when You have transformed his entire restfulness in his illness.
5. I said, "O Lord, be gracious to me; heal my soul because I have sinned against You."
9. O Lord, G-d of Hosts, who is like You, O Yah, Who are mighty? And Your faithfulness surrounds You. 

Fourth Week of Chesvan or Rosh Chodesh Kislev
Psalms 25-27
6. My enemies speak evil of me; "When will he die and his name be lost?"

7. And if he comes to see [me], he speaks falsely; his heart gathers iniquity for him; when he goes outside, he talks.

8. All my enemies whisper together about me; concerning me, they think evil.

10. You rule over the pride of the sea; when it raises its waves, You humble them.  

Rosh Chodesh Kislev or 1st week
Psalms 28-30
9. "An evil thing shall be poured into him, and once he lies down, he will no longer rise."

10. Even my ally, in whom I trusted, who eats my bread, developed an ambush for me.

11. But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, so that I may repay them.

11. You crushed Rahab like one slain; with the arm of Your might You scattered Your enemies.  

Yud Kislev
Psalms 31 - 33
12. With this I shall know that You desired me, when my enemy does not shout joyfully over me.

13. As for me, because of my innocence You shall support me, and stand me up before You forever.
14. Blessed is the Lord, the G-d of Israel from all times past and to all times to come. Amen and amen.

12. The heaven is Yours, even the earth is Yours; the inhabited earth and the fullness thereof-You founded them.  

Yud Tet Kislev
Psalms 34-36
Psalm 42

1. For the conductor, a maskil of the sons of Korah.

2. As a hart cries longingly for rivulets of water, so does my soul cry longingly to You, O G-d.

3. My soul thirsts for G-d, for the living G-d; when will I come and appear before G-d?

4. My tears were my bread day and night when they say to me all day long, "Where is your G-d?"

13. North and south-You created them; Tabor and Hermon sing praises in Your name.  

Chanukah
Psalms 37-39
5. These things I will remember, and I will pour out my soul [because of the pain which is] upon me, how I passed on with the throng; I walked slowly with them until the house of G-d with a joyful shouting and thanksgiving, a celebrating multitude.

6. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you stir within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him for the salvations of His presence.

7. My G-d, my soul is downcast upon me; therefore, I will remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from the young mountain.

14. You have an arm with might; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is high.    

Chanukah/Rosh Chodesh Tevet
Psalms 40-42
8. Deep calls to deep to the sound of Your water channels; all your breakers and waves passed over me.

9. By day, may the Lord command His kindness, and at night, may His resting place be with me, a prayer to the G-d of my life.

10. I will say to G-d, my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why should I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?"

15. Righteousness and judgment are the basis of Your throne; kindness and truth come before Your countenance.  

10th of Tevet
Psalms 43-45
11. With murder in my bones, my oppressors have reproached me by saying to me all day long, "Where is your G-d?"

12. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you stir within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him for the salvations of my countenance and my G-d.

Psalm 59

1. For the conductor, al tashcheth; of David a michtam, when Saul sent and they guarded the house to slay him.

2. Save me from my enemies, my G-d; strengthen me against those who rise up against me.

16. Fortunate is the people that know the blasting of the shofar; O Lord, may they walk in the light of Your countenance.  

Third Week of Tevet
Psalms 46-48
3. Save me from workers of iniquity, and rescue me from bloodthirsty men.

4. For behold, they lurked for my soul; strong men lodge against me, neither [for] my transgression nor [for] my sin, O Lord.

5. Without iniquity, they run and prepare themselves; awaken towards me and see.

17. With Your name they rejoice every day, and with Your righteousness they are exalted.  

Fourth Week of Tevet
Psalms 49-51
6. And You, O Lord, G-d of Hosts, G-d of Israel, arise to visit upon all the nations; be not gracious to any treacherous workers of iniquity forever.

7. They return in the evening, they howl like a dog and encircle the city.

8. Behold, they spew forth with their mouth; [they have] swords in their lips, for who hears?

18. For You are the glory of their might, and with Your favor our horns will be raised.    

Rosh Chodesh Shvat
Psalms 52-54
9. But You, O Lord, will scoff at them; You will mock all the nations.

10. [Because of] his strength, I hope for You, for G-d is my fortress.

11. The G-d of my kindness will precede me; G-d will allow me to see in those who watch me.

19. For our shield is [devoted] to the Lord, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.  

Yud Shvat
Psalms 55-57
12. Do not kill them, lest my people forget; remove them from their possessions with Your power and bring them down, O Lord our Shield.

13. The sin of their mouth is the word of their lips, and they will be seized because of their haughtiness, because of the curse and the lies that they tell.

14. Destroy [them] with wrath so that they will be no longer, and they will know that G-d rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth forever.

20. Then You spoke in a vision to Your pious ones, and You said, "I placed help on a mighty man; I lifted up a chosen one from the people.    

Tu B'Shvat
Psalms 58-60
15. And they will return in the evening, they will howl like dogs, and they will encircle the city.

16. They will roam about to eat if they are not sated, so that they will lodge.

17. And I will sing of Your power, and I will sing praises of Your kindness in the morning, for You were my stronghold and a refuge on a day that I was in straits.

21. I found David My servant, I anointed him with My holy oil.   

Fourth Week of Shvat
Psalms 61-63
18. My strength! To You will I sing for G-d is my stronghold, O G-d of my kindness.

Psalm 77

1. For the conductor on jeduthun, a song of Asaph.

2. My voice is to G-d, and I shall cry out; my voice is to G-d, and hearken to me.

3. On the day of my distress, I sought the Lord; my wound oozes at night and does not abate; my soul refuses to be comforted.

22. With whom My hand will be established, even My arm will strengthen him.  

Rosh Chodesh Adar
Psalms 64-66
4. I remember G-d and I stir; I speak and my spirit becomes faint, forever.

5. You held fast the awakenings of my eyes; I throb and I do not speak.

6. I think of days of yore, ancient years.

23. No enemy will exact from him, neither will an unjust person afflict him.  

First Week of Adar
Psalms 67-69
7. I recall my music at night; I speak with my heart and my spirit searches.

8. "Will the Lord forsake [me] forever and nevermore be appeased?

9. Has His kindness ended forever? Has He issued a decree for all generations?

24. And I shall crush his adversaries from before him, and I shall strike his enemies.  

Purim
Psalms 70-72
10. Has G-d forgotten to be gracious? Has He, in anger, shut off His mercy forever?"

11. And I said, "This is to terrify me, the change of the right hand of the Most High."

12. I recall the deeds of Yah when I remember Your wonder from time immemorial.

25. My faithfulness and My kindness will be with him, and with My name his horn will be raised.  

Third Week of Adar
Psalms 73-75
13. And I meditate over all Your works, and I speak of Your deeds.

14. O G-d, Your way is in sanctity. Who is a power as great as G-d?

15. You are the G-d Who works wonders; You made known Your might among the peoples.

26. I shall place his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers.  

Rosh Chodesh Nissan
Psalms 76-78
16. You redeemed Your people with Your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph forever.

17. The waters perceived You, O G-d, the waters perceived You, they trembled, even the deeps quaked.

18. They poured forth thick waters; the skies let out a voice, even your arrows went abroad.

27. He will call to Me, 'You are my Father, my G-d, and the Rock of my salvation.'  

First Week of Nissan
Psalms 79-81
19. The sound of Your thunder is like a wheel; the lightning illuminated the world; the earth shook and quaked.

20. In the sea was Your way, and Your path in the mighty waters, and Your steps were not known.

21. You led Your people like sheep by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

28. I, too, shall make him a firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.  

First Day of Pessach
Psalms 82-84
Psalm 90

1. A prayer of Moses, the man of G-d. O Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

2. Before the mountains were born, and You brought forth the earth and the inhabited world, and from everlasting to everlasting, You are G-d.

3. You bring man to the crushing point, and You say, "Return, O sons of men."

4. For a thousand years are in Your eyes like yesterday, which passed, and a watch in the night.

29. I will forever keep My kindness for him, and My covenant will remain true to him.  

Pessach
Psalms 85-87
5. You carry them away as a flood; they are like a sleep; in the morning, like grass it passes away.

6. In the morning, it blossoms and passes away; in the evening, it is cut off and withers.

7. For we perish from Your wrath, and from Your anger we are dismayed.

30. And I shall make his seed endure forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens.  

Fourth Week of Nissan
Psalms 88-90
8. You have placed our iniquities before You, [the sins of] our youth before the light of Your countenance.

9. For all our days have passed away in Your anger; we have consumed our years as a murmur.

10. The days of our years because of them are seventy years, and if with increase, eighty years; but their pride is toil and pain, for it passes quickly and we fly away.

31. If his sons forsake My Torah and do not walk in My judgments,  

Rosh Chodesh Iyar/ 5 de Iyar
Psalms 91-93
11. Who knows the might of Your wrath, and according to Your fear is Your anger.

12. So teach the number of our days, so that we shall acquire a heart of wisdom.

13. Return, O Lord, how long? And repent about Your servants.

32. If they profane My statutes and do not keep My commandments,  

Second Week of Iyar
Psalms 94-96
14. Satiate us in the morning with Your loving-kindness, and let us sing praises and rejoice with all our days.

15. Cause us to rejoice according to the days that You afflicted us, the years that we saw evil.

16. May Your works appear to Your servants, and Your beauty to their sons.

33. I shall punish their transgression with a rod, and their iniquity with stripes.  

Pessach Sheini/ Lag Ba’Omer
Psalms 97-99
17. And may the pleasantness of the Lord our G-d be upon us, and the work of our hands establish for us, and the work of our hands establish it.

Psalm 105

1. Give thanks to the Lord, call out in His name; make His deeds known among the peoples.

2. Sing to Him, play music to Him, speak of all His wonders.


34. But I shall not cancel My kindness from him, and I shall not betray My faith.  

Fourth Week of Iyar
Psalms 100-102
3. Boast of His holy name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His presence constantly.

5. Remember His wonders, which He performed, His miracles and the judgments of His mouth.


35. I shall not profane My covenant, neither shall I alter the utterance of My lips.  

Rosh Chodesh Sivan/ Yom Yerushalayim
Psalms 103-105
6. The seed of Abraham His servant, the children of Jacob, His chosen ones.

7. He is the Lord our G-d; throughout all the earth are His judgments.

8. He remembered His covenant forever, the word He had commanded to the thousandth generation,

36. One thing have I sworn by My holiness, that I will not fail David.  

Shavuot
Psalms 106-108
9. Which He had made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac,

10. And He set it up to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

11. Saying, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan, the portion of your heritage."

37. His seed will be forever and his throne is like the sun before Me.  

Third Week of Sivan
Psalms 109-111
12. When they were few in number, hardly dwelling in it.

13. And they walked from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.

14. He let no man oppress them, and He reproved kings on their account.

38. Like the moon, which is established forever, and it is a witness in the sky, eternally true."  

Fourth Week of Sivan
Psalms 112-114
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets."

16. He called a famine upon the land; He broke every staff of bread.

17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.

39. But You abandoned and You rejected; You became wroth with Your anointed.  

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz
Psalms 115-117
18. They afflicted his foot with fetters; his soul was placed in irons.

19. Until His word came, the saying of the Lord purified him.

20. A king sent and released him, a ruler of peoples [sent] and loosed his bonds.

40. You abrogated the covenant of Your servant; You profaned his crown to the ground.  

Second Week of Tammuz
Psalms 118-120
21. He made him the master of his household and the ruler over all his possessions.

22. To bind up his princes with his soul, and he made his elders wise.

23. Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

41. You breached all his fences; You made his fortifications a ruin.  

12,13 of Tammuz/ 17 of Tammuz
Psalms 121-123
24. And He made His people very fruitful, and He made it stronger than its adversaries.

25. He turned their heart to hate His people, to plot against His servants.

26. He sent Moses His servant, [and] Aaron whom He chose.

42. All wayfarers have plundered him; he was a disgrace to his neighbors.  

Fourth Week of Tammuz
Psalms 124-126
27. They placed upon them the words of His signs and His miracles in the land of Ham.

28. He sent darkness and it darkened, and they did not disobey His word.

29. He turned their water into blood, and it killed their fish.

43. You raised the right hand of his adversaries; You caused all his enemies to rejoice.  

Rosh Chodesh Av
Psalms 127-129
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the rooms of their monarchs.

31. He commanded and a mixture of noxious beasts came, lice throughout all their boundary.

32. He made their rains into hail, flaming fire in their land.

44. You even turned back the sharp edge of his sword, and You did not raise him up in battle.  

Tisha B'Av
Psalms 130-132
33. And it struck their vines and their fig trees, and it broke the trees of their boundary.

34. He spoke and locusts came, and nibbling locusts without number.

35. And they consumed all grass in their land, and they consumed the produce of their soil.

45. You have brought an end to his shining, and his throne You have cast down to earth.  

Tu B'Av
Psalms 133-135
36. And He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength.

37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and there was no pauper among their tribes.

38. Egypt rejoiced with their departure for their fear had fallen upon them.

46. You have shortened the days of his youth; You have enwrapped him with shame forever.  

Third Week of Av
Psalms 136-138
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and fire to illuminate the night.

40. They asked, and He brought quails, and the bread of heaven sated them.

41. He opened a rock and water flowed; in the deserts ran rivers.

47. How long, O Lord? Will You hide forever? Will Your anger burn like fire?  

Rosh Chodesh Elul
Psalms 139-141
42. For He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant.

43. And He took out His people with joy, His chosen ones with joyful singing.

44. And He gave them lands of nations, and they inherited the toil of kingdoms.

48. I am mindful what my old age is; for what futility have You created all the sons of man?  

First Week of Elul
Psalms 142-144
45. In order that they keep His statutes and observe His laws. Hallelujah.

Psalm 137

1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, we also wept when we remembered Zion.

2. On willows in its midst we hung our harps.

3. For there our captors asked us for words of song and our tormentors [asked of us] mirth, "Sing for us of the song of Zion."


49. Who is a man who will live and not see death, who will rescue his soul from the grasp of the grave forever?  

Second Week of Elul
Psalms 145-147
4. "How shall we sing the song of the Lord on foreign soil?"

5. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget [its skill].

6. May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.


50. Where are Your former acts of kindness, O Lord, which You swore to David in your trust?  

Chai Elul
Psalms 148-150
7. Remember, O Lord, for the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem, those who say, "Raze it, raze it, down to its foundation!"

8. O Daughter of Babylon, who is destined to be plundered, praiseworthy is he who repays you your recompense that you have done to us.

9. Praiseworthy is he who will take and dash your infants against the rock.


51. Remember, O Lord, the disgrace of Your servants, which I bear in my bosom, [the disgrace] of all great nations.  

Fourth Week of Elul
Perek Shirah, Chapters 1 - 3
Psalm 150

1. Hallelujah! Praise G-d in His holy place, praise Him in the firmament of His might.

2. Praise Him with His mighty deeds, praise Him as befits His superb greatness.

3. Praise Him with a shofar blast, praise Him with psaltery and lyre.

52. Which Your enemies disgraced, O Lord, which they disgraced the ends of Your anointed.  

Slichot/Rosh Hashanah
Perek Shirah, Chapters 4 - 6
4. Praise Him with timbres and dance, praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.

5. Praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with resonant cymbals.

6. Let every soul praise G-d. Hallelujah!
53. Blessed is the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.


יבא ירחמיאל חיל

Book 5

Ultimately, it is important to have standards that apply to all. King Solomon was incredibly wise righteous, yet he mistakenly thought that the message in Devarim regarding kings having too many wives did not apply to him. This was a grave mistake, which ultimately led to his downfall. We have to internalize that everything in the Torah is eternal, and that no one is above its laws. These general standards also help us not deviate from the True Path: neither in the way of “elevating the world” (like King Solomon), nor in the way of separating oneself from it (like the nazirite, the Nazir).

Even if some general decrees seem inconvenient, we have to make them fit in our lives, and observe them in a manner that beautifies the mitzvoth and beautifies our lives.

This is the essence of the Book of Deuteronomy (Devarim): setting up general guidelines applicable to all. Devarim is also called Mishneh Torah (a repetition of the Torah), a review and summary of the rest of the Torah. Book 5 is an attempt to reflect these themes. The sets of 52 included in this book are as follows:

The Book of Psalms is King David’s “general” prayer book, as it contains the emotions of every person. King David is the ultimate general soul (Neshamah Klali)his life being given to him by Adam himself, whose name stands for Adam-David­-MashiachPerek Shirah incorporates not only man, but all of Creation.

The Book of Psalms is a read as a general Tikkun (spiritual correction), especially during the month of Elul for sins committed throughout the entire year. In fact, the Ba’al Shem Tov instituted that three psalms should read each day of this month, and that the entire book should be read by Yom Kippur. The Mishnah Berurah also sets forth the custom of reading the entire book of Psalms (twice) during this time period. The Book of Psalms along with Perek Shirah contain 156 chapters, fifty-two divided by three.  


Rebbe Nachman’s Tikkun HaKlali works as kind of “summary” of the book of Psalms. It contains the ten kinds of song contained in the Book of Psalms. Without counting the introductory verses of its Psalms, it contains 156 verses. Psalm 88 and 89 appear to be a summary of Tikkun Klali itself. (One of the hints to this idea, is the fact that according to the Baal Shem Tov's instructions, these Psalms are read on Rosh Hashanah) Without counting its introductory verse, Psalm 89 contains 52 verses. Its 33rd verse appears to be a summary of the entire Book, similar to the way in which Tzadik B’Emunatoh Yichieh (the righteous lives by his/her faith) is the summary of the entire Torah. The 33rd verse is, “But I shall not cancel My kindness from him, and I shall not betray My faith,” “VeChasdi Lo Afir M’Imoh, VeLo Ashaker B’Emunati.”
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