Seder of Prayers of the Mekubalim During the Days of Shovavim

Seder of Prayers of the Mekubalim During the Days of Shovavim

The Days of Shovavim are six weeks, 42 days, from Parashat Shemot through Parashat Mishpatim. In a leap year, an additional two weeks (56 days) are added—two parashot: Parashat Terumah and Tetzaveh. Gaon Rabbi Ben-Tzion Mutzafi (shlita) presented the most effective Seder of Prayers of the Mekubalim of previous generations for atoning for transgressions during these awe-inspiring days. During this period, several tikkunim can be performed at once. To do so, the following pesukim should be recited throughout all the Days of Shovavim: 1. Tikkun Ha-Dibur—recite 12 times (Tehillim 119:89) לְעוֹלָ֥ם ה׳ דְּ֝בָרְךָ֗ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם —“Le'olam Ado-nai, devarcha nitzav bashamayim”— (Forever, L-rd, Your word stands firm in the heavens). 2. Tikkun Avonot—recite 17 times (Tehillim 97:11) אוֹר זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק וּלְיִשְׁרֵי לֵב שִׂמְחָה —“Or zarua la-tzadik, uleyishrei lev simchah”— (Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.) 3. For teshuvah—recite 3 times (Tehillim 78:38) וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ —“Vehu rachum, yechaper avon velo yashchit, vehirbah lehashiv apo velo ya'ir kol chamato”— (But He, being merciful, forgives iniquity and does not destroy; many times He turns away His anger and does not stir up all His wrath.) 4. Tikkun Einayim—recite the blessing “Ben Porat Yosef” three times בֵּן פֹּרָת יוֹסֵף - [3 פעמים] בֵּן פֹּרָת יוֹסֵף בֵּן פֹּרָת עֲלֵי עָיִן בָּנוֹת צָעֲדָה עֲלֵי שׁוּר: וַיְמָרֲרֻהוּ וָרֹבּוּ וַיִּשְׂטְמֻהוּ בַּעֲלֵי חִצִּים: וַתֵּשֶׁב בְּאֵיתָן קַשְׁתּוֹ וַיָּפֹזּוּ זְרֹעֵי יָדָיו מִידֵי אֲבִיר יַעֲקֹב מִשָּׁם רֹעֶה אֶבֶן יִשְׂרָאֵל: מֵאֵל אָבִיךָ וְיַעְזְרֶךָּ וְאֵת שַׁקי וִיבָרְכֶךָּ בִּרְכֹת שָׁמַיִם מֵעָל בִּרְכֹת תְּהוֹם רֹבֶצֶת תָּחַת בִּרְכֹת שָׁקיִם וָרָחַם: בִּרְכֹת אָבִיךָ גָּבְרוּ עַל בִּרְכֹת הוֹרַי עַד תַּאֲוַת גִּבְעֹת עוֹלָם תִּהְיֶיןָ לְרֹאשׁ יוֹסֵף וּלְקָדְקֹד נְזִיר אֶחָיו “Ben porat Yosef ben porat alei ayin, banot tsa'adah alei shur. Vayemareruhu varovu vayistemuhu ba'alei chitzim. Vateshev be'eitan kashto vayafozu zero'ei yadav midei Avir Yaakov misham ro'eh even Yisrael. Me'el avicha veya'azreka ve'et Shaddai vivarecheka birchot shamayim me'al, birchot tehom rovetzet tachat, birchot shadayim vareracham. Birchot avicha gaveru al birchot horai ad ta'av at giv'ot olam tihyenah lerosh Yosef ulekodkod nezir echav.” (Yosef is a fruitful son, a fruitful son by a spring; branches extend over the wall. Archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him. Yet his bow remained firm, and his arms were nimble, supported by the Mighty One of Yaakov, from there the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. May the G-d of your father help you, and may Shaddai bless you with blessings from heaven above, blessings of the deep below, blessings of breasts and womb. The blessings of your father surpass the blessings of the eternal mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills; may they rest upon Yosef's head, upon the crown of the one distinguished among his brothers.) 5. Tikkun Yosef—recite the name Yosef 24 times; יוֹסֵף - [24 פעמים] [Chazal teach that our people have still not atoned for the sin of selling Yosef—Yosef (the sefirah of Yesod), the son of the forefather Yaakov (Tiferet), and his continuation. This is alluded to in the words of the Torah: “These are the descendants of Yaakov: Yosef.”] 6. Tikkun Yesod—recite the word “Yesod” (foundation) 24 times; יְסוֹד - [24 פעמים] [Yesod is the sixth sefirah, and the sexual organ corresponds to this sefirah. Shovavim is a period for rectifying violations related to the laws of the Brit. According to Kabbalah, this period is particularly conducive to rectifying sexual transgressions (the Arizal, Sha'ar HaYichudim 4:3). During Shovavim, Jews gather in synagogues throughout Israel and recite special prayers called “Tikkun Yesod” (the rectification of the sefirah of Yesod).] 7. Vidui in one's own words—words of repentance (except on Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh); 8. Keriat Shema al ha-mitah—atones for all of a person's sins. May we merit rectifying all shortcomings and elevating all the holy sparks. Amen!   (Based on the video lecture “Shovavim” by Gaon Rabbi Ben-Tzion Mutzafi (shlita)