A project in memory of the bochur Shmuel Karnowsky OBM, who passed away at the young age of 15, has grown and seen great success since being founded in his memory.
Shmuel’s parents, Osher and Rivka Karnowsky, wanted to do something special to honor the memory of their son, who was a straight-alef student and a diligent bochur who was beloved by his peers.
“We all know the great power of reciting words of Tehillim, and the many brochos which come from it, especially when it comes to children,” said Rabbi Moshe Pinson, President of Bais Shmuel Chabad in Crown Heights.
The project encourages children, boys and girls, to recite Tehillim in Shul on Shabbos Mevorchim. The children receive prizes and incentives for joining. This week, in honor of the third Yartzeit of Shmuel, Bais Shmuel Shul boys and girls who recite 30 kapitlach of Tehillim will receive a special gift of $18 in Shmuel’s honor.
All girls and boys in Crown Heights schools are invited to say 30 Kapitlach of Tehillim or more to be entered into a raffle for a bike. 10 girls winners and 10 boys winners will be chosen.
Over 3,000 boys and girls have joined the project in the 3 years since it began, Rabbi Pinson told COLlive.
While usually a Bais Shmuel project, this week the project has been opened to the entire community, with hundreds of children joining.
Osher Karnowsky has expressed great appreciation to all the children who who participate, saying, “it is an amazing feeling knowing so many children are saying holy words of Tehillim in honor of my son.”
In Hayom Yom, the Rebbe explains why Tehilim on Shabbos Mevarchim is so important:
-With the advent of Mashiach, there will be revealed the superior quality of the traits of simplicity and wholeheartedness found in the Avoda of simple folk who Daven and recite Tehillim with simple sincerity. (Part of Hayom Yom for 24, Iyar)
-We cannot adequately describe the great merit of those who participate in the sacred Avoda of saying Tehillim with a Minyan, and the great pleasure this Avoda causes On High, as discussed in sacred texts and in very tiny part in Kuntres Takanat Amirat Tehillim B’rabim How fortunate are you Israel, and for this may you all be blessed with proper health and with super-abundant livelihood – you, your wives, your sons and your daughters (G-d grant them eternal life.) In your merit may all the congregation of Israel in your communities be helped (among all our Jewish brethren) in all they need, materially and spiritually. (Hayom Yom 29, Cheshvan)
-If you only knew – The Tzemach Tzedek said – the power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in the highest Heavens, you would recite them constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim shatter all barriers, they ascend higher and still higher with no interference; they prostrate themselves in supplication before the Master of all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with kindness and compassion. (Hayom Yom 24, Shevat)
-Studying a Parsha of Chumash with Rashi every day (Sunday until Sheini, Monday until Shlishi, etc.), saying Tehillim every day and the entire Tehillim on Shabbat m’varchim – be scrupulous about all of these. It is crucial for you, for your children and your children’s children. (Hayom Yom 25, Shevat)
“With the state of the world today, we hope that all Shuls and Chabad Houses around the world join this initiative, and encourage the children to recite Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim, and may the words of Tehillim reach the Heavens and bring Moshiach now,” Rabbi Pinson said.
