Psalm in a Palm

Celebrating the Torah’s debut at Sinai, the Shavuot holiday also marks the Yartzeit of David, King of Israel. The brave warrior who defeated Goliath and established the Royal dynasty leading to Moshiach. David is lovingly remembered as the ‘sweet singer of Israel’ who composed the Book of Tehilim, better known as the Book of Psalms.

The solemn “The L-rd is my Shepherd” prayer intoned at funerals is but one of 150 soul stirring Psalms that have inspired Jews through centuries of calm and crisis, trial and triumph, a wellspring of comfort, hope, and thanksgiving.

The flowing poetry, pathos and piety echo David’s struggles as he was pursued and running for dear life. The Psalms pluck at the heartstrings with notes for every mood and occasion. The more the string is pulled, the richer it resonates; the thirstier we yearn, the closer we are to G‑d (Ps. 63; 2,3)

David proclaims Jerusalem’s glory and splendor, and sings nostalgically of the Judean Desert solitude. He celebrates Divine majesty in the vivid interplay of flora and fauna, mountain and valley, wind, water and the seasons, soaring eagles and graceful gazelles, roaring lions and bleating lambs.

David’s pastoral background is clearly reflected in the classic “The L-rd is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me rest in green pastures. He leads me by peaceful waters... Your rod and your staff, they comfort me...”

Other scriptural selections are reserved for the Sabbath Haftorah readings, but the popular Psalms join us throughout the week in our daily prayers; its verses form the lyrics of famous Jewish tunes. My father, Rabbi Moshe Rubin of blessed memory, would say, “Tehilim, like serving tea, is always appropriate. Just be sure to serve it hot, not lukewarm...”

The ubiquitous Tehilim is anytime and anywhere, and people would know it like the palm of their hand. Today, Internet Technology offers the appropriate daily Tehilim selection in Hebrew and English at Chabad.org. (daily study option) and www.pilotyid.com, downloads to the Palm. Once downloaded, the recital mode then uploads it to the highest levels.

Saying Tehilim is more than mere words. Tehilim is powerful, serving as a spiritual complement to Israel's missile defense systems, known in Hebrew as the similar sounding ‘Tilim.’

While the venerable Torah scrolls are closeted within the Holy Ark, and Scriptures like Isaiah and Ezekiel are prominently displayed and reside comfortably on the library bookshelves, the bold little Tehilim has the get up and go, and is the most traveled of them all. Tehilim is forever, for “David, King of Israel, lives and endures!”

The actual book may not seem too impressive. A Tehilim tends to show signs of use, pages tear stained from emotion, or tattered from constant carrying and handling. Tehilims come in many sizes and formats, including tiny wallet size editions for commuters who prefer the Psalms to rereading the bus advertisements or just staring straight ahead.

And you don’t have to be a big Bible Scholar to enjoy and appreciate Tehilim. The lay membership of the old European ‘Chevra Tehilim Societies’ were farmers, workmen, merchants, cobblers and tailors who gathered to recite the Psalms.

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, also a Shavuot Yartzeit, highly praised and extolled the simple folk reciting Psalms, but his inner circle of scholarly disciples criticized the lowly peasants, claiming that they lacked any spiritual communication with G‑d.

The Baal Shem Tov once interrupted his discourse and invited the disciples to join arms, close their eyes and hear the beautiful strains of simple Jews heartily interjecting their Psalms with personal ‘Oy!’ ‘Tateh Zisser!’ Yiddishisms, declaring, “Plain and simple, their Tehilim truly pierces the Heavens.”

Just be sure to push the right buttons.