Melaveh Malkah – Segulot of the Fourth Meal

Melaveh Malkah – Segulot of the Fourth Meal

In Tehillim (39:5), King David asks the Al-mighty to tell him the exact time of his departure from this world: “Odi'eini Adonai kitz'i u'midat yamai mah hi, eida meh chadel ani” — (Tell me, L-rd, about my end, about the span of my days—how long will they be? So that I may know when I will come to an end.) But the Al-mighty revealed to him only the day of the week—Shabbat evening—and only because David HaMelech was blessed. Every Motzaei Shabbat, David HaMelech would hold a meal at which he praised Hashem for remaining alive. “Melaveh Malkah” literally means “escorting the Queen”—holy Shabbat. This seudah contains many secrets concerning bidding farewell to the Queen, Shabbat. David HaMelech promised that anyone who properly observes the Melaveh Malkah meal will merit his appearing to them in a dream before they depart this world. Thus, the table for the Melaveh Malkah meal should be covered with a white tablecloth. Before the meal, four candles should be lit. Three of them correspond to the acronym of the name Adam—LeChvod: א – Eliyahu HaNavi ד – David HaMelech מ – Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and the fourth—Baal Shem Tov. It is desirable to prepare something fresh for the meal. There is a beautiful Kabbalistic Seder of Prayers by Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi to be recited before Melaveh Malkah. Details are available at the link: Seder Melaveh Malkah of the Mekubal Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi Segula for healing: The mekubalim teach that on Motzaei Shabbat, water from Miriam’s Well flows through all the world’s water sources. There is a beautiful segula: immediately after Havdalah, approach a faucet, fill a glass with water, and say that this water is “mayim mi-be'er shel Miriam” (from Miriam’s Well), recite the blessing of “Shehakol,” and drink it. The water from Miriam’s Well possessed great healing power. (Based on a lesson by Rabbanit Leah Ben Abu, the great-granddaughter of Baba Sali) Segulot 1. A segula for the health of the soul and body throughout the week: During the meal, immediately after reciting the blessing over bread, say three times: פת חמין במוצאי שבת סגולה לרפואה שלמה לנפש לגוף “Pat hamin be-Motzaei Shabbat—segula le-refuah sheleimah la-nefesh ve-la-guf, ve-simcha lanu le-khol Am Yisrael kol yemot ha-Shavua”; (warm bread on Motzaei Shabbat—a segula for complete healing of the soul and body, and for joy for the entire Jewish people every day of the week). 2. A segula for happiness throughout the week: During the meal, drink a hot beverage and say three times: חמין במוצאי שבת מלוגמא לשמחה בלב לכל השבוע “Hamin be-Motzaei Shabbat melugma, le-simcha ba-lev le-khol ha-Shavua”; 3. A segula for parnasah: During the meal, one should eat a clove of garlic with its peel intact; 4. A segula for parnasah: Before Birkat HaMazon, tell a story about the Baal Shem Tov (may his merit protect us); It is related in the name of the Rebbe of Kamenka that during the Melaveh Malkah meal, one should tell a well-known sipur about the Baal Shem Tov for good parnasah. After telling this story, no other story should be told; one should only recite “Shir HaMaalot” (Psalms 120–134) and Birkat HaMazon (the blessing after a meal with bread). The sipur is available here: A Segula in Melave Malka for Parnassah 5. A segula for an easy childbirth: Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk taught that a woman who bids farewell to Shabbat with Melaveh Malkah will have an easy childbirth. Segula against illness: Kaf HaChaim taught that even if a person is not hungry, they should take part in the fourth meal—and thereby save themselves from illness and the need to take bitter medicines during the coming week. 6. A segula for salvation from the suffering of Chibbut HaKever: The Sages say that Chibbut HaKever for the wicked is like removing cotton from a thornbush, while for tzadikim it is like removing a hair from milk. For this purpose, Tehillim 23 should be recited before the seudah. 7. Segulot associated with the Luz bone: The Sages teach that the “Luz bone,” through which the resurrection of the dead will take place, is nourished only by the fourth meal—Melaveh Malkah. There is another segula on Motzaei Shabbat associated with the “Luz bone”: it is customary to touch this bone with fingers moistened with wine from Havdalah. Details are available here: The Luz Bone and Melaveh Malkah Melaveh Malkah is a segula for protection throughout the coming week. The neshamah yeterah (additional soul) leaves a Jew after Melaveh Malkah, bringing the pleasures of Shabbat to an end. Once, I had the privilege of attending a beautiful Seder of Prayers before the Melaveh Malkah meal led by the righteous Rabbanit Ora Assuri, following the teachings of Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi, and I was deeply impressed by the elevated level at which women observe Melaveh Malkah. May G-d grant us all the merit of such a zechut.   (Compiled by the editorial staff from holy Jewish lessons and publications)