Tehillim, the Book of Psalms composed by King David, is recited by Jewish men, women, and children across all communities for daily tefillah, times of illness, personal difficulty, and communal need. At Eichlers, we carry Tehillim in Hebrew-only, Hebrew-English, pocket, large print, and illustrated children's editions, so every member of the family can say Tehillim in a format that fits their level, their purpose, and their daily routine.
Tehillim occupies a unique place in Jewish practice because it belongs to everyone equally, from young children reciting their first perek to great Torah scholars who say the entire sefer daily. The 150 chapters of Tehillim cover the full range of human experience, expressing joy, gratitude, fear, longing, repentance, and hope in language that resonates across every stage of life. Tehillim is said for the sick and the suffering, for the success of a business venture, before a difficult journey, on behalf of soldiers, at the bedside of someone in danger, and at the graveside of the departed. It is also recited as part of the daily tefillah in many communities and forms part of Kabbalas Shabbos on Friday afternoon and Shacharis on Shabbos morning in others.
A Hebrew-only Tehillim is the standard edition for men and women who are comfortable reading the original Hebrew text and prefer a compact, distraction-free sefer for recitation. Hebrew-only editions come in standard, pocket, and large print sizes and are typically fully vowelized to make reading aloud easier, which matters particularly when saying Tehillim quickly in a group setting at a bedside or at a communal gathering. Most Hebrew-only Tehillim also include the standard divisions for saying the entire sefer in one month, divided into thirty daily portions, which is one of the most common frameworks for regular Tehillim recitation.
A Hebrew-English Tehillim places the original Hebrew text alongside a facing English translation, making it accessible to those who want to understand the meaning of each chapter as they recite it. These editions are widely used by English-speaking men and women who say Tehillim regularly and want to connect with the content beyond the words themselves, and by those who are still building their Hebrew reading fluency. Artscroll's Hebrew-English Tehillim is the most widely used edition in English-speaking communities and includes commentary, introductions to each chapter, and a range of helpful appendices for different occasions and uses.
A pocket Tehillim is a small, lightweight edition designed to be carried throughout the day so that Tehillim can be said wherever you are, at work, on a commute, in a waiting room, or at the hospital. Pocket editions are available in Hebrew-only and Hebrew-English formats and fit easily into a jacket pocket, purse, or briefcase. They're one of the most practical gifts for someone who travels frequently or who makes a point of saying Tehillim throughout the day rather than only at home. Many men and women keep a pocket Tehillim in their bag permanently so it's always available when a name is given for a choleh or when a difficult moment calls for tefillah.
Large print Tehillim editions are designed for older adults and anyone who finds standard Hebrew type difficult to read comfortably, particularly during emotional or urgent moments when concentration matters most. The larger font size makes the text significantly more accessible and eliminates the need for reading glasses in most situations. Large print editions are a thoughtful and practical gift for elderly parents and grandparents who say Tehillim regularly, and they make a meaningful present for anyone recovering from illness or facing a medical challenge where clear, easy-to-read text provides real comfort.
A child's first Tehillim is a meaningful milestone in Jewish education, introducing young children to the beauty and power of King David's words at an age when those words can take root deeply. Children's Tehillim editions feature larger, clearer Hebrew type with full vowelization, colorful illustrations that bring the chapters to life visually, and simplified layouts that make following along and reciting accessible even for young readers. Some editions include transliteration alongside the Hebrew so children who are still learning to read the alef-beis can participate in Tehillim recitation from the very beginning. A beautifully illustrated children's Tehillim makes an excellent upsherin gift, a birthday present, or a first-day-of-school sefer that a child will treasure for years. Browse our upsherin gifts collection for more meaningful items to pair with a child's first Tehillim.
One of the most common reasons Tehillim is said is as a tefillah for someone who is ill or facing difficulty. Specific chapters are traditionally associated with healing and with the wellbeing of the sick, including chapters 20, 22, 23, 30, 88, 121, and 130, among others, and many communities gather to say Tehillim together when a community member is seriously unwell. Saying Tehillim for a choleh, someone who is sick, is considered a powerful form of tefillah and an act of chesed for the person and their family, and it's a practice deeply embedded in Jewish communal life across all communities.
Many men and women say Tehillim as a regular daily or weekly practice independent of any specific need or occasion. The most common framework divides the 150 chapters into thirty daily portions so that the entire sefer is completed each month, though some divide it over the seven days of the week instead. Saying Tehillim after Shacharis, before sleep, or at another fixed time each day is a widespread minhag with deep roots in Jewish tradition, and the regular practice of Tehillim is considered particularly significant for protection, parnassah, and general wellbeing.
Tehillim is woven into the Shabbos and Yom Tov tefillah in multiple ways. Kabbalas Shabbos includes several chapters of Tehillim recited before Maariv on Friday night. Shacharis on Shabbos morning incorporates additional chapters as part of Pesukei D'Zimrah. The entire sefer is often divided among community members and recited collectively on Shabbos afternoon in Ashkenazi communities, particularly in the months of Elul and Tishrei. Having a dedicated Shabbos Tehillim, whether a slightly larger or more elegant edition than the daily pocket version, is a practice many families maintain.
A Tehillim is one of the most universally meaningful and appropriate sefarim to give as a gift for virtually any Jewish occasion. A quality Hebrew-English edition is a thoughtful bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah gift, a meaningful wedding present, a practical and personal birthday gift, and a comforting gesture for someone facing illness or difficulty. A children's Tehillim with beautiful illustrations is among the most popular upsherin gifts and a wonderful choice for any milestone in a young child's Torah education. Pairing a Tehillim with a matching siddur or other tefillah sefarim creates a complete and lasting gift set. Browse our full bar mitzvah gifts collection for more meaningful ideas to pair with a Tehillim.
Tehillim sits at the heart of Jewish tefillah alongside a full range of sefarim that Eichlers carries for every occasion and daily use.
Chapters most commonly recited for a choleh include 20, 22, 23, 30, 88, 121, and 130, among others. Many communities also recite specific chapters based on the letters of the patient's Hebrew name. Ask your Rov about the accepted practice in your community for saying Tehillim for the sick.
A pocket Hebrew-only Tehillim is the most practical choice for daily use since it fits easily in a pocket or bag and is available wherever you are. A Hebrew-English edition is the better choice for those who want to understand the meaning of each chapter as they recite it. Both are widely available at Eichlers in standard and pocket sizes.
The 150 chapters are divided into thirty daily portions so that the entire sefer is completed once each month. Most Hebrew-only and Hebrew-English Tehillim editions include this monthly division clearly marked at the beginning of each day's portion, making it easy to follow the schedule without needing to count chapters manually.
Yes. A quality Hebrew-English Tehillim is a meaningful and lasting bar mitzvah gift that a boy will use throughout his life for daily recitation, for times of personal difficulty, and as a tefillah resource for family and friends in need. Pair it with a siddur from our siddurim collection for a complete tefillah gift set.
A children's Tehillim with large Hebrew type, full vowelization, colorful illustrations, and transliteration alongside the Hebrew is the best choice for young children. It makes reciting Tehillim accessible and enjoyable from an early age and introduces children to King David's words in a format that holds their attention and makes the experience meaningful.
Yes. Large print Tehillim editions are available in Hebrew-only and Hebrew-English formats for adults who find standard Hebrew type difficult to read comfortably. They make a particularly thoughtful gift for elderly parents, grandparents, or anyone recovering from illness where reading small text is challenging.
Yes. While reciting Tehillim in the original Hebrew is the preferred practice, all opinions agree that Tehillim said in any language counts as a valid tefillah. A Hebrew-English Tehillim allows someone who cannot yet read Hebrew to say the English translation aloud while following the Hebrew text, which is a fully acceptable and meaningful practice.