Although Chayenu has been publishing Torah content for 10+ years, something has been missing…
Now, finally, as we mark the 70th Yahrtzeit of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitchak Schneerson, of righteous memory – the founder of the Daily Study of “CHITAS” – we are finally completing the triangle.
The daily recital of Tehillim (Psalms) as it has been divided into a 30-day cycle is an integral part of the daily regimen of CHITAS (or Chitat) חת”ת – an acronym for Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya
(חומש, תהלים, תניא) – which has been the core foundational content of Chayenu (alongside Rambam Daily study).
Chitas includes a three-pronged daily study cycle:
The daily portion of Chumash, from that week’s Parsha, with Rashi commentary.
The daily portion of Tanya.
The daily portion of Tehillim.
Why Chitas?
Perhaps the most frequent instruction the Lubavitcher Rebbe would give people who requested his blessing was to strengthen their commitment to the daily study of “Chitas”, as a broad conduit for Divine blessings. This practice is not exclusive for Chabad Chasidim but as the Rebbe often stated, “equally relevant for every soul – שווה לכל נפש.
Thus, Chayenu has kept this guiding principle at the forefront of our publication, striving to make this ever-more accessible to every (English-speaking) Jew.
We initially refrained from including the daily Tehillim (Psalms) as it was not a study but more of a recital. However, recently we have added the Daily Tehillim to the Chayenu App, where it is available with/without commentary.
Now, we have added Tehillim (in Hebrew only) to the Print Edition!
Our thanks to Kehot Publication Society for partnering with us on this.
Brief Background of Tehillim Daily
In 1927 (5687), the Communist Regime arrested the Previous Rebbe and sentenced him to death. His crime? The Rebbe had formed and personally directed a breathtaking labyrinth of underground Torah schools, synagogues, mikvahs, and the like. He sent overt and covert emissaries, teachers and instructors who were willing to risk their lives to keep the flame of Torah and mitzvot alight in every region of the USSR, despite the regimes attempt to extinguish the flame of Judaism.
Sensing the threat he personally – and the Jewish People at large – faced, he instituted the practice of Daily Tehillim.
A handwritten directive discovered on his desk on the day of his arrest, read as follows:
“Listen, Chassidim, and all Jews who await the coming of Moshiach! Repeat in my name to all Chassidim in the world that I have instructed them to recite a portion of Tehillim as divided by the days of the month in all Chassidic synagogues after morning prayers each day, including Shabbos.”
Miraculously, his life was spared and he eventually emigrated to the USA, after residing in Poland for many years. Nonetheless, the practice continues to be ever-relevant has only grown stronger since.
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This is a very appropriate time to commit to daily Tehillim.
As world Jewry commemorates the 70th Yahrtzeit of the Previous Rebbe who founded Chitas, and as we celebrate and mark 70 years of the Rebbe’s leadership of Klal Yisroel, there isn’t a better time to join this worldwide effort.
To participate in the Daily Tehillim recital, you can download the Chayenu App at Chayenu.org/App – where additional features (like commentary) are available.
Or, look out for the Print Edition of Parshas Terumah, where it will begin to feature weekly.
Subscribers will be treated to a special insert in the Parshas Terumah issue, all about the Power of Tehillim.
To download, print and share the PDF, click here
TEHILLIM IN CHAYENU is dedicated in honor of Rabbi Yitzchok and Leah Gniwisch
