What is chabad psalms?

Chabad Psalms refers to the Chabad-Lubavitch custom of dividing the entire book of Tehillim (Psalms) into a monthly cycle, recited collectively by Chassidim so that the whole book is completed each month. This practice is rooted in the Chassidic emphasis on communal spiritual responsibility and the power of Tehillim as a vehicle for prayer, protection, and divine connection.

Key Takeaways

Chabad Chassidim recite the entire book of Tehillim monthly, divided into 29 or 30 daily portions corresponding to the Hebrew calendar.
The practice reflects the Chassidic belief that Tehillim has unique spiritual power to pierce heavenly gates and arouse divine mercy.
The Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi) instituted and strongly encouraged this daily Tehillim practice.
Chabad also recites the entire Tehillim every Shabbat Mevarchim (the Shabbat before each new Hebrew month).
Tehillim is also recited collectively in times of communal crisis or danger.

The Practice in Detail

The Monthly Cycle

The 150 chapters of Tehillim (Psalms) are divided into 30 portions, one for each day of the Hebrew month. On months with 29 days, two portions are combined.

This ensures that:

Each individual Chassid contributes to the completion of the full Tehillim
The collective recitation "covers" every day of the month
There is an unbroken chain of Tehillim being recited throughout the world

The Shabbat Mevarchim Custom

On Shabbat Mevarchim — the Shabbat before the new Hebrew month — Chabad Chassidim recite the entire book of Tehillim in one sitting, typically early in the morning before morning prayers (Shacharit). This is considered an especially auspicious time for the recitation.

Origin and Authority

Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), the founder of Chabad Chassidus and author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch HaRav, instituted and championed this practice. He taught that Tehillim has unique power to ascend on high and arouse divine compassion.

The Baal Shem Tov, founder of general Chassidus, is also cited as emphasizing the extraordinary spiritual power of Tehillim, even when recited by someone who does not fully understand the words — the holiness of the words themselves carries weight [based on teachings in Keter Shem Tov].

Why Tehillim?

The Talmud teaches: "Why are the words of David beloved above all others?" — because Tehillim addresses the entire range of human experience: joy, suffering, exile, redemption, and closeness to God [Berakhot 10a, based on traditional learning].

Chassidic thought adds that King David composed Tehillim with ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration) in a way that makes every verse universally applicable — each person can find their own soul's voice within it.

Times of Crisis

In addition to the regular monthly cycle, Chabad (and the broader Jewish world) turns to Tehillim during:

Illness of individuals or communal figures
Times of war or danger to the Jewish people
Major communal crises

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, frequently called upon Chassidim to gather and recite Tehillim during such times, emphasizing the collective power of Jewish prayer.

Practical Access

Today, the daily Chabad Tehillim portions are widely available through:

The Chabad.org website and app
Printed Tehillim booklets organized by day of the month
Synagogue announcements of the daily portion

For personal guidance on how to incorporate this practice into your daily life, consult your local rabbi or posek.