Question: In our synagogue, the custom is to recite the Psalm “Le’David Hashem Ori Ve’Yish’ee” every day of the month of Elul. Some claim that this is an Ashkenazi custom and that this is not the Sephardic custom. What is the correct way to proceed?
The Sefer Mateh Efraim (Chapter 581) writes: “It is customary in our countries to recite the Psalm ‘Le’David Hashem Ori Ve’Yish’ee’ after prayer services both morning and night from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur. Our custom is to continue reciting this Psalm until Shemini Atzeret.” Indeed, several other Poskim quote the Siddur of the saintly Ari z”l which states that it is customary to recite the Psalm “Le’David Hashem Ori Ve’Yish’ee” every day until Simchat Torah. It further states there that one who recites this Psalm from Rosh Chodesh Elul and on is guaranteed to live out his days and years pleasantly and his judgment will emerge favorably for a good life and peace.
Although this is primarily an Ashkenazi custom, nevertheless, Maran Ha’Chida quotes this custom as well in his Sefer Avodat Ha’Kodesh (end of Sansan Le’Yair) and writes that one should recite this Psalm until Motza’ei Yom Kippur as well as on the day of Hosha’ana Rabba. He writes that this was the prevalent custom in the holy city of Hebron.
Hagaon Harav Yaakov Rakach writes in his Sefer Sha’are Tefillah in the name of Hagaon Rabbeinu Chaim Ha’Kohen in his Sefer Sha’are Rachamim that whoever recites this Psalm from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Simchat Torah shall merit that even if a harsh judgment was decreed upon an individual, the recitation of this Psalm has the power to annul the harsh decree and to remove all Heavenly prosecution from one’s self.
Thus, the custom that some congregations have adapted to recite the Psalm of “Le’David Hashem Ori Ve’Yish’ee” during this period is indeed a fine custom. Although this should not be misconstrued as an obligatory recitation, it is nevertheless a correct and worthy custom which has holy roots.
The Responsa Shevet Ha’Levi (Volume 10, Chapter 67) states that this Psalm is recited until the day of Hosha’ana Rabba and outside of Israel, it is recited on the day of Shemini Atzeret as well.
Nevertheless, we should point out that the primary benefit one can achieve during these days and throughout the year is not through these actions alone, as great as they may be. Rather, the main purpose of these days is for one to repent fully before Hashem, especially while reciting the Selichot, for the main focus during this period is complete repentance and increasing one’s good deeds as we get closer to the Day of Judgment when one’s merits and faults are weighed against one another. (See Chazon Ovadia-Yamim Nora’im, page 23 and on.) May Hashem accept our repentance willingly.
