Rosh Chodesh Kislev and the Mystery of “Nishmat Kol Chai”

Rosh Chodesh Kislev and the Mystery of “Nishmat Kol Chai”

There is a beautiful segula to recite the prayer “Nishmat Kol Chai” throughout the week beginning on Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Why specifically on this Rosh Chodesh? Rosh Chodesh is an Et Ratzon—a time of special favor, particularly for women. Rosh Chodesh Kislev always falls during the week of the Torah portion “Toldot”. The weekly Torah portion of “Toldot” contains the secret of “Nishmat Kol Chai”. It is written in “Toldot” (Bereishit 25:21): “And Yitzchak prayed to the L-rd in the presence of his wife, because she was barren; and the L-rd answered him, and Rivka his wife conceived” —  הִוא עֲקָרָה כִּי אִשְׁתּוֹ לְנֹכַח לַיהוָה יִצְחָק וַיֶּעְתַּר The word לְנֹכַח — “lenokhach”— means “in the presence”. If we divide the word  לְנֹכַח — “lenokhach”— into two words—לְ-נֹכַח - “le” - “nokhach”—then the second word, “nokhach”—נֹכַח—contains the roshei tevot (initial letters) of the name of the prayer—נִשְׁמַת כָּל חַי. Moreover, in the prayer itself, in the passage “The Lips of the Upright”, the secret of the presence of the names of our patriarch Yitzchak and our matriarch Rivka is concealed: the first letters of the second word of each line spell the name Yitzchak in Hebrew, while the third letters of the third word of each line spell the name Rivka: “befi Yesharim titRomam uvsiftей Tsadikim titBbarakh uvilshon Khasidim titKkadash uvkerev Kedoshim titAalel” The words of the prayer allude to the fact that our patriarch Yitzchak was among the first to turn to the miraculous power of this prayer. This week—the week of the Torah portion “Toldot”—is a channel, an Et Ratzon, and the best time to recite the prayer “Nishmat Kol Chai”. There is great merit in making a Seudah (a meal with wine and meat) on this Rosh Chodesh and reciting the prayer “Nishmat Kol Chai” with special kavanah. This prayer is conducive to miracles. Through the power of the prayer “Nishmat Kol Chai”, Yitzchak and Rivka were able to change their mazal, and Rivka conceived twins. It is especially important to pray for other people. When we ask on behalf of someone else, Hashem grants us what is destined for us. Human nature leads us to ask first for ourselves, and Hashem is pleased to see that His children care for one another. (Based on the booklet “Nishmat Kol Chai,” edited by Rabbanit Leah Gervitz)