(Courtesy of Tehillim Kollel) In a world that seems to be filled with chaos and uncertainty, a person can ask himself, “where can I truly be safe? How can I protect my family?”
As King David stated very concisely in Tehillim: If Hashem doesn’t guard a city, its watchman keeps his vigil in vain. But how can we know if our city is guarded by Hashem?
The Chida explained that every city with a minyan of Torah scholars saying Tehillim daily will benefit from divine protection. For hundreds of years, Jewish communities around the world have used consistent, daily prayer sessions to guard the people of their city against plague, violence, and other calamities.
The Tehillim Kollel takes this established practice and brings it to the 21st century, a time of unparalleled technological progress and increased standards of living on the one hand, but also a time of never-before-seen emotional and spiritual challenges.
Because we now find ourselves at the tail-end of the longest, darkest exile our nation has ever faced. more effort than ever is required to mitigate harsh judgements and to bring about salvations. Therefore, the Tehillim Kollel offers Jews over the world the opportunity to combine two of the loftiest mitzvahs— tzedaka and tefillah (charity and prayer)—into one unified mission.
Each person that gives a donation to the Tehillim Kollel not only fulfills the great mitzvah of giving charity to support Torah scholars, but also harnesses the power of prayer: A minyan of Torah scholars will finish Sefer Tehillim on his behalf, stating his name (as well the names of his loved ones) and will cry out to Hashem to fulfill his requests speedily and for the good.
The Tehillim Kollel minyanim gather every single day, 365 days a year, undeterred by inclement weather, transportation strikes, flu seasons and even military mobilizations. Currently, the Tehillim Kollel has seven minyanim in the New York area, as well as several more in Eretz Yisroel and Europe.
However, given the number of people in need of support and salvations, it’s still not enough. Today, the Tehillim Kollel announces a new goal: To have a daily minyan reciting the Sefer Tehillim in every single city where Jewish people live, so that each and every Jew can benefit from the divine protection that Sefer Tehillim grants. Is it ambitious? Sure. Is it necessary? Beyond any doubt.
“If you only knew the power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in the highest Heavens, you would recite them constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim shatter all barriers, they ascend higher and still higher with no interference; they prostrate themselves in supplication before the Master of all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with kindness and compassion.” (Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch)
