Why do we say Tehillim corresponding to our age, and what is the source for it?

Summary

The script discusses the practice of reciting Psalms (Tehillim) corresponding to one's age, based on the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. It explains how, at each birthday, individuals recite the Psalm corresponding to their age, starting from Psalm 1 when born. The Baal Shem Tov emphasized this as a custom, later introduced officially by the Rebbe. The narrative includes various practices linked to birthdays and spiritual teachings, highlighting the significance of each Psalm and the idea of spiritual growth through these recitations, all rooted in Jewish tradition and teachings.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Baal Shem Tov is associated with the practice of saying Psalms based on one's age.
• 😀 Birthdays were traditionally not celebrated by Jews, as it was not considered important in Jewish culture.
• 😀 The Yiddish phrase 'Mosley gave it' reflects the Jewish view on birthdays.
• 😀 The Baal Shem Tov taught that one should say Psalms (capital Tehillim) corresponding to their age on their birthday.
• 😀 Each year, the Psalm recited changes based on the individual's age (e.g., Psalm 1 at birth, Psalm 2 at age 1, etc.).
• 😀 The practice of saying a new Psalm each year was later revealed as a custom by the Baal Shem Tov.
• 😀 The practice of saying a new Psalm was also introduced by the Rebbe during his birthday celebrations.
• 😀 Some Jewish customs associated with birthdays also include learning specific Psalms for each year.
• 😀 There is a practice of saying Psalms in a specific order, with each year's Psalm reflecting the individual's age.
• 😀 The Rebbe's introduction of this custom made it more widely known and accepted among Jewish communities.

Q & A

What is the origin of the custom to say Psalms corresponding to one's age?

The custom of saying Psalms corresponding to one's age originates from the Baal Shem Tov. He introduced this practice to mark the significance of birthdays, a concept which was not traditionally celebrated by Jews.

Why did Jews traditionally not celebrate birthdays before the Baal Shem Tov's influence?

Jews did not traditionally celebrate birthdays because they viewed them as irrelevant or unimportant. The common perspective was that birthdays were meant for non-Jews, not for Jews, who focused more on other milestones in life.

How does the Baal Shem Tov's teaching influence birthday celebrations?

The Baal Shem Tov introduced the practice of saying Psalms based on one's age, starting with Psalm 1 when you are born and moving to the next Psalm as you complete each year. This added significance to the celebration of one's birthday.

What Psalm should a person say when they reach a specific age?

When a person reaches a certain age, they say the corresponding Psalm. For example, at age 2, they say Psalm 2, at age 3, Psalm 3, and so on, continuing to match their Psalm to their age.

What is the significance of the Psalm that corresponds to each age?

The Psalm that corresponds to each age represents a spiritual milestone or completion of a cycle. This practice ties the individual’s life to a sacred tradition of prayer and reflection.

What other practices did the Baal Shem Tov encourage besides saying Psalms for birthdays?

In addition to saying Psalms, the Baal Shem Tov also encouraged the observance of various customs of the Hasidic tradition, including learning specific teachings and engaging in spiritual activities relevant to one’s age and stage of life.

What is the connection between the Baal Shem Tov's teachings and the birthday customs?

The Baal Shem Tov's teachings emphasized the spiritual importance of each year of life. By saying the Psalm corresponding to one's age, individuals could sanctify their years and mark their personal growth in a spiritual context.

What is the additional practice mentioned regarding the Psalm of the Tree?

The practice of the Psalm of the Tree involves learning the complete Psalm corresponding to the individual's age for the year. It is suggested that if the Psalm contains fewer than 12 verses, one would learn the whole Psalm, while if it has more, several verses are studied throughout the year.

Why is there a focus on the specific Psalm corresponding to one's age?

The focus on saying the Psalm corresponding to one's age is believed to align the individual's spiritual growth with their physical age, helping them reflect on the blessings and challenges of each year.

What was the role of the Rebbe's birthday in establishing the practice?

The Rebbe's birthday played a key role in formalizing and popularizing the practice, as it was widely adopted as part of Hasidic customs to celebrate by saying the appropriate Psalm, marking the spiritual significance of each year.