Segulot for Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Segulot for Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Chazal teach that Rosh Chodesh Shevat is a day on which every Jew has the opportunity to receive great blessings and unlock his mazal. According to the Chachamim, Chodesh Shevat is the month that “belongs” to the Jewish people. The sign of this month—the Water Bearer—is associated with Am Yisrael. Therefore, Rosh Chodesh Shevat opens the mazal of all Israel in every area (parnassah, health, zivugim, shalom bayit, and so on), and on this very day one can receive all blessings b'Shefa. The Chozeh of Lublin (may his merit protect us) taught that the month of Shevat is a month that lessens the judgments against Israel, and that Rosh Chodesh Shevat has the power to move every Jew from the lowest place to a place filled with infinite brachot. The Hebrew word Shevat is an acronym: ש.ב.ט. שנשמע בשורות טובות – (may we hear only good news). שמחה ברכה טובה – (Simcha, Bracha, Tova—joy, blessing, goodness). In order to receive a bracha, we must become worthy vessels. Rabbi Tzvi-Hirsch of Ziditchov, author of “Ateret Tzvi” (may his merit protect us), promised that whoever makes a Rosh Chodesh seudah with bread (followed by Birkat HaMazon) will be blessed with infinite bracha and hatzlachah (blessing and success), to such an extent that he may be saved from dangerous illnesses and even from death. 1) One should recite Psalm 119 according to the letters of one's name: The letters of the word מזל (mazal) follow. After reciting Tehillim, pray for yeshuot. The Mekubalim say that just as there is a segula at the conclusion of Shabbat to tell stories about the Baal Shem Tov, it is also appropriate to do so on Rosh Chodesh. Studying stories about or teachings of the Baal Shem Tov on Rosh Chodesh brings an abundance of blessings for the entire month that follows. 2) It is auspicious to recite the psalms of Moshe Rabbeinu, 90–100. It is written in “Beit HaMidrash” that when Moshe Rabbeinu (alav hashalom) learned from Hashem that his death was approaching, every day from the 1st of Shevat through the 7th of Adar (during these days Moshe wrote the Book of Devarim and taught it to the people), he would rise at Chatzot Lailah, go to Yehoshua's tent, and serve him as a student serves his teacher: he would take his clothing and place it at the head of his bed, clean his shoes, and set them beside the bed. He would take the golden headdress and crown adorned with precious stones and place them on a golden table. Then he would bring water and a golden bowl and set them before the table. He would bring a golden chair into the tent, spread out a cover made of fine fabric, and bring precious vessels, as is fitting when serving a king. When Yehoshua awoke, he was embarrassed by such honors and, after getting dressed, threw himself at the feet of Moshe Rabbeinu and pleaded: “Do not shorten my days by honoring me!” “Do not be afraid, my son! You have committed no sin in this. Just as you served me faithfully and respectfully, so I serve you. Did I not teach you: ‘Let the honor of your student be as dear to you as your own’ and ‘Love your fellow as yourself’?” Beginning on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, we increase our mitzvah of “Love your fellow as yourself,” as Moshe Rabbeinu himself did. Shidduch and the Month of Shevat In “Pri Tzaddik,” Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin writes that for those who wish to find their soulmate, or to pray for someone close to them to find theirs, this is a time to pray for the most long-delayed shidduchim. And not only Rosh Chodesh itself, but the entire week as well. “Pri Tzaddik” explains: Once there were seven sisters, the daughters of Yitro, who were no longer young and were unmarried. No one wanted to marry them because their father had abandoned idolatry. Then Moshe appeared, defended them from the shepherds, and helped them draw water. The daughters said to their father: “An Egyptian saved us from the shepherds. He also drew water for us.” The word for “drew water,” “dalah,” is repeated twice. In Hebrew, “ledalot” means both to draw water and to save. It comes from the word “dli”—the mazal of the month of Shevat (the Water Bearer). Eventually, Yitro gave his daughter Tzipporah to Moshe as a wife. After her, the other sisters also married… “Pri Tzaddik” explains that after the winter of deprivation (dalut—from the same root) comes Shevat, the month of prosperity and good fortune (mazal, from the word “linzol”—to flow abundantly). Moreover, the Mekubalim add that in the 19th blessing of the Amidah, “סימ שלום וברכה”—the rashei teivot שטו—form the word “שבט”. This hints that the month of Shevat is especially auspicious for zivugim. (Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on “Pirkei Avot,” Rabbi Raphael Avitan)