Question: Is it appropriate to recite Perek Shira every day?
Answer: Perek Shira is ancient and some attribute it to King David. There are many secrets hidden inside it and many wonderful commentaries have been written on it. It is considered a Baraita, similar to the holy Zohar, Midrash, and other Baraitot we have. There are several Siddurim which include Perek Shira in them.
The Midrash quotes Rabbi Eliezer who says that “one who delves in Perek Shira every day has a share in the World to Come.” One who recites Perek Shira in the world shall merit to recite it in the next as well and this will aid in retention of one’s Torah learning. Nevertheless, Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch and other foremost Poskim did not institute the compulsory reading of Perek Shira every day.
The Sefer Derech Chochma writes that “it is our custom to recite Perek Shira every day.” He then proceeds to quote the words of our Sages praising those who do so. On the other hand, Eliya Rabba (Chapter 1, Subsection 14) writes that it seems from our Sages that there is no need to recite Perek Shira every day and merely delving into it is sufficient. He therefore writes that some have the custom to divide it among the seven days of the week.
The great Mabit, Rabbeinu Moshe Tarani, friend and colleague of Maran Ha’Bet Yosef, in his Sefer Bet Elokim likewise takes note of the term “one who delves in Perek Shira” as opposed to “one who recites” and explains that one must actually delve into the words of Perek Shira in order to derive wisdom and Mussar from them. This is fairly difficult to do on a daily basis.
In any event, it is certainly appropriate to recite and study Perek Shira from time to time, for this can awaken one’s heart to the love and service of Hashem and strengthens the bond between the Jewish nation and their Father in Heaven.
The most important thing in the life of a Jew is to fulfill the Mitzvot with perfection (or at least strive for it) and to delve in Torah study every day. The value of Torah learning is infinite and there is nothing greater than it. Thus, although reciting certain passages may be auspicious for different things (“Segulot”), one must nevertheless remember one’s primary mission in this world: delving in Torah study.
Maran zt”l did not read Perek Shira daily because he was busy with Torah study literally all day long without wasting a moment.
Nonetheless, there is a Segulah for both men and women to read Perek Shira from time to time and it is admirable to do so. However, for those who are actually studying Torah in-depth, such as Gemara, Halacha, and the like, it is inappropriate to cut out time from that learning in order to read Perek Shira, unless one adds some more time to one’s daily learning schedule.
