The Moving Gathering of the ‘Global Tehillim Society’ Directed by Colel Chabad on Mount Zion
In an uplifting atmosphere of hisaorerus (awakening) and kedushah, the annual gathering and traditional Seudas Mitzvah of the “Global Tehillim Society” was held on the day following Isru Chag HaShavuos. This special event took place in a hall adjacent to and overlooking the holy Tziyon of King David, alav hashalom, on Mount Zion in the Old City of Yerushalayim. It was arranged in honor of the Yoma Dehillula Rabba of the Ne’im Zemiros Yisrael (the Sweet Singer of Israel), which falls on the second day of Shavuos.
This gathering is not merely another routine event; rather, it is the direct continuation of a historic, holy chain (shalsheles hakodesh). The “Global Tehillim Society” was founded 84 years ago, during the dark days when a heavy cloud of destruction and loss hovered over the Jewish communities of Europe. It was the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz, nishmaso eden, who—in the very midst of World War II and the terrible Holocaust—took a series of heavenly initiatives, among them the establishment of this society. To this day, it is chilling to read the words he wrote from the depths of his heart in a letter at that time:
“Through their prayers, the praises of the Sweet Singer of Israel, they will protect Bnei Yisrael and will act to bring about the victory of honesty and justice, and to alleviate the birth pangs of Moshiach (chevlei Moshiach).”
In the year 5750 (1990), exactly 36 years ago, this monumental endeavor experienced a profound renewal. Following the holy directive of the Rebbe to the administration of “Colel Chabad,” the crown was restored to its former glory. From then until today, the voice of prayer at this holy site has never ceased. A permanent minyan of Chassidim and anshei ma’aseh (men of action), among the esteemed figures of heavenly Yerushalayim, gathers day in and day out to recite the entire Sefer Tehillim with deliberation and hisaorerus. As they do so, they arouse heavenly mercy (rachamei shamayim) and specifically mention the names of those in need of a yeshuah (salvation).
During the gathering, prominent Rabbonim delivered addresses in honor of this exalted occasion: Harav Hachassid R’ Yitzchak Meir Halperin – Chairman of the Association of Descendants of the Alter Rebbe. Harav Hachassid Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Slonim shlita – Rabbi of the ‘Baal HaTanya Shul’. Harav Hachassid R’ Moshe Tzvi Halperin – Rabbi of the Chabad communities in the Ramot Daled and Beis Yisrael neighborhoods. Harav Hachassid R’ Chaim Sasson – Author of numerous important sefarim.
Furthermore, the event was honored by the participation of several distinguished guests: Harav Hachassid R’ Eliezer Lichtenstein – A respected member of Anash in Yerushalayim and a veteran educator. Harav Hachassid R’ Yosef Lipa Alperowitz – Gabbai of the ‘Beis Yosef’ Shul and one of the elder, finest educators in Yerushalayim. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Azdaba – The Rebbe’s Shliach to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Harav Hachassid R’ Moshe Shmuel Deutsch – Representative of the Colel Chabad administration and director of the Tehillim Society.
The speakers at the event spoke one after another about the immense zechus (merit) bestowed upon the members of the “Global Tehillim Society,” and sought to praise the blessed work of its dedicated coordinator, Harav Hachassid R’ Daniel Koenig. In their remarks, they emphasized the uncompromising dedication of the minyan members, who never forgo their kvius (set commitment) and stand faithfully at their post to offer heartfelt, inner prayers for the salvation of the klal and the prat (the community and the individual)—every single day of the year, regardless of weather conditions. Special thanks were also extended to R’ Shmuel Mendelson for his invaluable assistance in organizing the gathering.
