Tehillim 121 and the Segulot of the Amidah Prayer

Tehillim 121 and the Segulot of the Amidah Prayer

The Sages teach that a segula for finding one's soulmate (finding one's destined partner) is to recite Tehillim 121: “I lift my eyes to the mountains...” at the conclusion of the Amidah, before taking the three steps back and before “Oseh Shalom.” This custom is attributed to the sage Rama—Rabbi Menachem Azariah mi-Pano. In his book Asarah Maamarot (Ten Discourses), (vol. 4, ch. 17), he explains: “Whoever recites this song (Psalm 121) with proper intent each time at the conclusion of the prayer, before taking the three steps back, will be granted a suitable partner.” (Yeshiva Kisei Rahamim) This segula is also attributed to the great mekubal and tzadik—Rabbi Yaakov ben Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Ishbitz-Radzyn. He composed a segula for those who are single: to recite Psalm 121 daily at the end of the Amidah, before “Oseh Shalom”, in order to find one's soulmate. It is significant that his hilula falls on Tu B'Av—the day of love in Jewish tradition. Midrash Rabbah, at the beginning of the chapter “Vayetzei,” writes that these segulot go back to Yaakov Avinu, for he recited Tehillim 121 when he left Eretz Yisrael and set out for Lavan. The first verse of the psalm reads: “From where will my help (wife) come?” It then answers: “My help (wife) will come from the Most High.” Segula for Overcoming Fear Chazal also recommend this segula for deliverance from fear. Each time one recites the Amidah, both on weekdays and on Shabbat and festivals, before the final bracha: “Elokai Netzor...” (G-d, protect me)—one should recite Tehillim 121. (the sefer Bracha ve-Yeshua)