Tikkun ha-Klalli

From “Breslov Eikh she-Hu: Breslov customs and practices, past and present,” compiled by Dovid Zeitlin and Dovid Sears 

Since this week corresponds to the sefirah of Yesod, it seems appropriate to post it at this time.

The ten psalms of Tikkun ha-Klalli are a powerful remedy for the spiritual damage caused by nocturnal emissions, particularly when recited on the same day. Beyond this, they are also an effective remedy for all sins when recited in a spirit of teshuvah.

(Likutey Moharan I, 29, 205; ibid. II, 92; Sichos ha-Ran 141; Parpara'os le-Chokhmah on Likutey Moharan II, 92. In English, see Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum, Rabbi Nachman's Tikkun, Breslov Research Institute.)

*

The Rebbe vowed in the presence of two witnesses, Reb Aharon, the Rav of Breslov, and Reb Naftali: "When my days are ended and I leave this world, I will intercede for anyone who comes to my grave, gives charity, and recites these Ten Psalms. No matter how serious his sins and transgressions, I will do everything in my power to save him and cleanse him. I will span the length and breadth of creation for him. By his peyos I will pull him out of Gehenna! I am very positive in everything I say. However, I am more positive about this than anything, when I say that these psalms help very, very much. They are: 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150. They should be said in this order, which is the order in which they appear in Sefer Tehillim. This is the Tikkun ha-Klalli, the Complete Remedy. Every sin has its individual remedy, but this is the Complete Remedy. Go out and spread the teaching of these Ten Psalms to all…"

(Sichos ha-Ran 141)

*

Rebbe Nachman promised to spiritually protect any child under the age of seven who comes to his gravesite, gives tzedakah, and recites the Tikkun ha-Klalli, until the child's wedding day. Breslover Chassidim understood this promise to apply even after the Rebbe’s passing. Therefore, it is customary for Chassidim to bring their five or six year old sons to Uman for this purpose today.

(Kokhvei Ohr, Anshei Moharan, [Jerusalem 1983 ed.] p. 89, also cited in Si'ach Sarfei Kodesh I, 368)

*

Since it helps rectify all sins, Tikkun ha-Klalli may be said by men and women alike. Paraphrasing the Zohar, Reb Gedaliah Kenig once remarked: "The pasuk states 'Lo si'uneh eilekha ra’ah (No evil shall befall you)’ - this alludes to the men; 'vi-nega' lo yikrav bi-ohalekha (and no plague shall come near your tent)’ - this alludes to the women. Both benefit from reciting Tikkun ha-Klalli."

(Based on Tehillim 91:10)

I clearly remember hearing the following mesorah many years ago, but so far have been unable to track down its source. If anyone knows a student of Reb Gedaliah who can confirm it, please let me know:

Reb Gedaliah Kenig received a tradition from Reb Avraham Sternhartz that one who recites the Tikkun ha-Klalli every day will benefit in this world, in the World to Come, and on the great and awesome Day of Judgment after the Resurrection of the Dead.

(Cf. Sichos ha-Ran 185. Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter also cites recting Tikkun ha-Klalli daily as a Breslover minhag in his Seder ha-Yom. When he came to Uman, Reb Yitzchak Breiter initially studied with Reb Shimshon Barsky and Reb Avraham Sternhartz, and continued to correspond with them after his return to Poland.)