Borei Nefashot – a segula for prosperity according to the Or HaChaim

The Secret of the Blessing over Beverages – a Segula for Wealth

In the book Shufre de-Yosef by Rav Birdugo, based on the words of Rav Raphael Enkaoua (whose kever they visited in Morocco), a story about the Or HaChaim HaKadosh is told. In the Moroccan city of Salé, there lived a very wealthy Jew named Yehoshua Saportas, who bought a garden from an Arab man. The garden had two springs of fresh water. However, less than two months later, the springs dried up, placing the entire garden in jeopardy. The Jew then turned to Rabbi Chaim for advice. A pitcher of water and glasses stood on the table. It was very hot, so Yehoshua Saportas approached, took a glass, poured himself some water, and drank it. Rabbi Chaim said to him: — “Now I know why the springs in your garden dried up. You drank the water without reciting a blessing before and after drinking. The prophet writes: ‘And you shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.’ (Yeshayahu 12:3) The word ‘besasson’ (with joy) – בששון   – is an acronym for the phrase: בrachot שtayim שhehakol וvorei נefashot – ‘brachot shtayim shehakol u-vorei nefashot’ – which means two blessings—before drinking and after drinking. Take upon yourself to carefully recite the blessings before and after eating and drinking, and teach others to do the same.” Yehoshua Saportas undertook to observe this mitzvah scrupulously, and within a day the springs began flowing again.   The Blessing over Beverages BARUCH ATAH ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HAOLAM SHEHAKOL NIHYEH BIDVARO (Blessed are You, G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, through Whose word everything exists.) The Blessing after Drinking BARUCH ATAH ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HAOLAM, BOREI NEFASHOT RABOT, V'CHESRONAN AL KOL MAH SHEBARATA, LEHACHAYOT BAHEM NEFESH KOL CHAI. BARUCH CHEI HAOLAMIM. (Blessed are You, G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, Who creates numerous living beings and all that they need—for everything You have created to sustain the life of every living thing. Blessed is He Who gives life to the worlds.)    Segulot involving “Borei Nefashot” Answering Amen to Borei Nefashot—a segula for having children Amen to “Borei Nefashot” — a segula for having children 6 Glasses of Water for Healing 6 Glasses of Water for Healing   (Based on the book Shufre de-Yosef by Rav Birdugo)