Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4814 — Prayer

B"H

6 MarCheshvan* 5717

Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter, in which you discuss the practice of reciting Tehillim* after prayer. You ask me why one would not recite them before it.

In fact, these are two different practices (see Kovetz Michtavim* on Tehillim*, p. 211, in the note), which do not have the same quality and the same content. One recites Tehillim* before the prayer to prepare oneself for it, in connection with Tikkun Chatzos* — the lamentations over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash*, recited in the middle of the night. By contrast, the Tehillim* following the prayer are its conclusion, introducing the day that comes afterward.

Already the early Sages called for Tehillim* to be recited after prayer. In our times, this practice was renewed by my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, of blessed memory, as explained in a great number of his letters, in particular in the Kovetz Michtavim* on Tehillim*, which is also printed in the Tehillim* Ohel Yosef Yitzchak*. These texts demonstrate the importance of such a practice.

Consequently, whoever is able to act in this matter has both the merit and the sacred obligation to do so. He must establish this practice in every place where it is possible. The merit of all depends upon it.

I hope that you yourself have adopted this practice of reciting Tehillim* after prayer, as well as the other practices: the daily study of a parshah* of the Chumash* with the commentary of Rashi*, from the weekly sidrah* — on Sunday from the beginning of the sidrah* until Sheini*, on Monday from Sheini* to Shlishi*, and so on — the daily study of a passage of the Tanya* according to its annual division, as explained in the letter mentioned above. In any event, you will adopt these practices in the future.

May Hashem grant you success.

With my blessing,

On behalf of the Rebbe, shlita*,

the secretary,