The importance of reciting Tehillim is underscored by a remarkable fact: the very word "Tehillim" (×Ŗ××××) is encoded in the Torah in two spiritually significant locations.
1. In the Book of Shemot (Exodus)
The final letters of the first five words of the Book of Shemot (Exodus 1:1) form an acrostic:
×Ö°×Öµ×Ö¶Ö¼× ×©Ö°×××Ö¹×Ŗ ×Ö°Ö¼× Öµ× ×֓שְ××ØÖø×Öµ× ×Ö·×ÖøÖ¼×Ö“×× ×֓צְ×ØÖø×Ö°×Öø×
"And these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt"
Taking the last letters: ×-×Ŗ-×-×-× spells ×Ŗ×××× (Tehillim).
ā” The Light of Liberation
Tehillim represents the spiritual light that enabled the Jewish people to emerge from the impurity of Egypt. After 49 days of purification, they reached Shavuot ā the receiving of the Torah. This is because Tehillim contains within it the Or Makif (Surrounding Light) ā a transcendent illumination that exists beyond the created world. Herein lies the true power of reciting Tehillim.
2. In the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy)
The word Tehillim appears encoded in another Torah passage (Deuteronomy 15:7-8):
×Ö°×Ö¹× ×Ŗ֓קְפֹּׄ ×Ö¶×ŖÖ¾×Öø×Ö°×Öø ×Öµ×Öø×Ö“××Öø ×Öø×Ö¶×Ö°××Ö¹×
"Do not close your hand against your needy brother"
The initial letters of this verse (excluding the first word) spell ×Ŗ×××× (Tehillim).
ā” Teaching of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin
This encoding teaches us that reciting Tehillim alone is insufficient ā one must first open their hand in charity. The spiritual elevation of Psalms must be accompanied by righteous action.
The Gematria Connection
The numerical value (gematria) of the word Tehillim reveals another mystical dimension:
×Ŗ×××× = ×Ŗ(400) + ×(5) + ×(30) + ×(10) + ×(40) = 485
The word ×××××Ŗ (Lilit) together with its five letters equals:
×(30) + ×(10) + ×(30) + ×(10) + ×Ŗ(400) + 5 (letters) = 485
ā” Teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
The identical gematria values indicate that reciting Tehillim possesses the power to liberate a person from the dominion of impure forces. (Likutey Moharan, Lesson 205)
Practical Application
Understanding these hidden connections deepens our appreciation for Tehillim. When you create a personalized prayer on Tehillim.Site, you tap into this ancient spiritual power that has sustained the Jewish people throughout millennia.