One should increase in the reading of Tehillim on the day of Rosh Hashanah.
Sources and Explanations
In Responsa Melechet Shlomo by Rabbi Shlomo Kimchi (Orach Chaim, siman 6), he writes that our custom is that on the day of Rosh Hashanah we gather together and engage in the recitation of Tehillim.
The Pele Yoetz (Rosh Hashanah) likewise praises those who are accustomed to increase in the reading of Tehillim during the days of Rosh Hashanah, and writes: “Fortunate are Israel, most of whom, all of them, on these two days their mouths do not cease from study, and they read the Tehillim; and some read them twice, so that they end up reading three hundred mizmorim, equal to the numerical value of ‘kofer’ (atonement). However, the saying of our Rabbis z”l (Tur, Orach Chaim 1) is well known: a little with kavanah is better than much without kavanah. And how good it is, when reading the mizmorim at all times, to have in mind the meaning of the words, and especially on these days, for most of them are supplications and awesome prayers that were said with ruach hakodesh (Divine inspiration), and they certainly bear fruit above. And if he does not know the meaning of the words, at the very least he should read letter by letter, word by word, for if he reads quickly, ‘who can discern errors?’ And he should have in mind that they contain deep secrets, and that he intends according to the intention of King David, peace be upon him. And wherever enemies, haters, adversaries, and the like are mentioned, he should have in mind the accusers (mekatregim), for they are the true enemies, the enemies of Hashem and the enemies of our souls. And where it mentions trouble, distress, and the like, he should have in mind the distress of the soul, for that is true distress. And when he says Tehillim with submission, from the depths of the heart, and his intention is for the will of Heaven — and the words are ancient, words of the living God spoken from the mouth of the holy man of God, King David, may his merit protect us — they will certainly bear fruit, and he will find sufficient for his redemption, and he will be inscribed in the book of good life, which is the life of the soul, as I wrote above in the entry Selichot; see there.”
Likewise, in Teshuvot VeHanhagot (vol. 2, siman 271), he cites that the Rav of Brisk, HaGriz Soloveitchik zt”l, was accustomed to fill the day of Rosh Hashanah with the recitation of Tehillim with kavanah and supplications, for this contains a request for atonement, forgiveness, and pardon, and also teshuvah.
From the sefer “Shaf Veyativ – Laws of Saying Tehillim” by Rabbi Shay Tahan, Chapter 2: The Proper Times for Saying Tehillim, Halacha 24 (p. 29 in the print edition). Translated from the Hebrew original.
