7 replies to this topic

[danceInTheRain]

whenever I have an extra moment I try to say some tehillim. I go in order and try to finish the sefer. somebody who saw me doing this said that tehillim is not supposed to be said at night esspecially not if the goal is to finish the sefer. Is there any basis to this. and in general are there certain perakim that cannot be said at certain times?
thanks

[Rabbi Shapiro]

In general, you should not say Tehillim at night.

However, if there is a specific reason you are saying the Tehillim, like for a specific Choleh who needs it, then you may say Tehillim even at night.

[FS613]

1) Is the reason that one should not say Tehillim at night,

because the night is a time of Din, or because there are Mazikin at night?

2) Is it ok to say Tehillim after Chatzos HaLyla (Halachic Midnight)?

Thank you.

[Rabbi Shapiro]

1) Because night is a time of Din.

2) Yes, it is OK.

[shifpifer1]

But aren't parts of Krias Shma al Hamita parts of Tehillim?

[Rabbi Shapiro]

Yes, they are. But once youre saying it (a) as a Tefilah that was designated for everyone and (b.) for a specific need for a soecific situation, i.e. to keep yourself out of danger, as opposed to a general recital (like tehillim is) it is not a problem.

(PS - There are also parts of Maariv, including Krias Shema, which is Torah SHeBal Peh. But since Chazal required them to be said, it becomes like a Tefilah and permitted to say.)

[puzzles]

So this applies to any part of Torah sheBa'al peh, not just Tehillim?

[Rabbi Shapiro]

So this applies to any part of Torah sheBa'al peh, not just Tehillim?

Yes, but usually when we learn other Torah Shebiksav, we do so in depth so that we are really learning Torah Shebal Peh (Gemora, also, has Pesukim in it but because you are learning the explanation of the Pesukim according to the Gemora, you are considered learning Torah Shebal Peh). As opposed to saying Tehillim, when we are just "davening" it, it is considered totally Torha Shebiksav.