David King Tehillim - Book of Psalms With Shimush Tehillim Paperback

Shimush TehillimSefer Shimush Tehillim is a short and relatively littleknown treatise attributed to Rav Hai Gaon [according to the Sedei Chemed] which describes the Kabbalistic uses of particular chapters and verses from the Book of Psalms for prophylactic or healing purposes. These selections are meant to be either recited alone, frequently multiple times or in conjunction with some other action or prayer. Shimush Tehillim is mentioned in Teshuvas HaRashba, by the Chida, and others. This work is not to be confused with bibliomancy which is the use of Biblical verses for predicting the future. There are numerous instances cited in the Talmud and other sources regarding the utilization of Biblical verses to ward off demons and the Evil Eye, against bad dreams, against the effects of drinking water uncovered at night, and other more serious calamities. Verses were employed to lighten the pain at childbirth, as protection against danger on a journey, fierce dogs, bleeding and wounds, and the effects of fire and fever. Verses were recited to gain favor or improve ones memory, and so on. Yet, it must be noted, that there was great opposition to the use of the Torah for magical, curative purposes. The Rambam, the Tur [Yoreh Deoh 179], and the Shulchon Oruch [Yoreh Deoh 17910] forbade such usage. The Rambam in Hilchos Avodas Cochavim 1112 pointedly writes "Regarding one who incants over a wound or reads a verse from the Torah, and so one who reads verses to calm a frightened child... | David King Tehillim - Book of Psalms With Shimush Tehillim Paperback