grandparents’ and great parents’ generations, saying Tehillim was a major part of Jewish life.

While Prayers and Psalms may seem alike, there is a subtle difference. Prayers are said when we have a problem and we ask HaShem for resolution. We recite Psalms when we have a problem too, but unlike prayers, a Psalm is a love letter to HaShem. The 150 psalms, largely written by King David, but also written by several others, are statements of surrender: we have such great love for HaShem that we fully accept that He runs the world and our life in particular. The rabbi suggests that every day, every Jew needs to say at least one Psalm, in whatever language you read. Rabbi Feuer told many fascinating stories to show the amazing power of Psalms. Here is one story from someone he knows personally:

An orphan yeshiva student could not marry. He had no family and no money. His fellow students, wanting to help him, found a beautiful orphan girl and tried to raise money for the wedding and other expenses. But as much as they

tried, they could not help him. Disappointed, the student decided not to rely on people, but to rely soley on HaShem.  On a Friday morning he went to the Kotel to say Psalms until he had a sign, which he knew was forthcoming. He began by stating: “I am an orphan and I want to marry an orphan girl, but I have no money and no means of support. I will say Tehillim until HaShem gives me a sign”. He then said the entire book of Psalms.  It was now the afternoon and nothing happened. He began again:  “I am a……..” Shabbos was coming; it was dark. Everyone had left the Kotel. He began again “I am a……” The third time around, someone tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to come home with him for a Shabbos meal. The student told him he could not because he is going to say Tehillim until HaShem answers him. He began again: “I am a….” The man tapped him on the shoulder again. This time the man said that in America he had been involved in a very difficult and expensive court case and vowed if everything came out successfully, he would go to Israel and give money to an orphan, like himself, so the orphan could marry. Happy ending. The power of Tehillim.

 

The Power of Prayer (continued from front page)

Minyan Man reminds you on March 9th at precisely 2 am, you should move your clocks forward an hour so that they read 3 am.  Minyan begins the following day as it does most Sundays promptly at 8:30am.

So change your clocks the night of March 8th, or very early in the morning of March 9th in order that you make it to Minyan on time!

Minyan Man!

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Beth Jacob of Irvine Newsletter