Rosh Hashanah Segulot with Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi

Rosh Hashanah Segulot with Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi

1. It is very important not to get angry at all, but especially on the first day of Rosh Hashanah—the very day on which the Jewish people are judged. Non-Jews are judged on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. 2. On this day, the Heavenly judgments are severe—any anger or fury that is expressed works against a person. 3. Do not invite guests who may somehow upset or anger you. 4. Do not allow sadness, anger, or fury to overcome you—however you begin the year is how it will continue. Beware of lashon hara. 5. Parnassah—buy a new knife before the holiday to cut the challah and the apple. This is a segula for a long life and a good livelihood. 6. Shehecheyanu—it is important to recite this blessing in the new year. Buy new clothing for Rosh Hashanah so that you can recite the blessing of “Shehecheyanu.” 7. Challot—traditionally, they are baked in a round shape with raisins and honey, symbolizing a complete and sweet year. 8. Candles—before lighting the Rosh Hashanah candles, light a candle Le’ilui Nishmat Sarah Imeinu and ask Hashem, in the merit of the tzadekket, to grant us the privilege of becoming good wives and mothers. 9. Tzedakah—before lighting the candles, give tzedakah in the amount of 18 (coins): 18 cents, 18 dollars, and so on. This serves as a pidyon nefesh (redemption of the soul); 18 equals “chai” (life). Ask Hashem: “Ribono Shel Olam, if something bad is destined to happen, let this tzedakah serve as a replacement.” 10. Ta’anit Dibbur (a fast of speech)—from the morning of Rosh Hashanah, undertake not to speak mundane words, but only words of Torah and Tehillim. In this way, one-third of your sins will be erased. 11. Food—do not eat anything sour, spicy, or bitter on Rosh Hashanah—only sweet foods. 12. Everything you do on Rosh Hashanah influences the entire year. 13. Nuts—walnuts are not purchased for Rosh Hashanah: “egoz” (nut) has the same gematria as “chet” (sin), and black grapes should also be avoided (according to the Vilna Gaon). 14. The Rosh Hashanah Seder. Prepare the Seder chart at the beginning of the second half of the day—it should be present at the meal. This is a segula for hatzlachah and a year without difficulties. Before sitting down to the Seder, look at all the members of your household, bless each one individually, and ask everyone for forgiveness. 15. Everyone should say “Lechaim” aloud and bless one another joyfully. 16. Apples—use red apples; this is a segula for finding a shidduch, shalom bayit, and zera shel kayama (conception). Eating the apple is a special, holy time—an et ratzon (time of favor). Inhale the apple’s fragrance and ask for everything you desire. It was at this time that Yaakov received a blessing from his father, Yitzchak. When Yitzchak smelled Yaakov, the fragrance of Gan Eden emanated from him—the scent of apples—and despite not being the firstborn, he received Yitzchak’s blessing. 17. Pomegranate—as you eat it, ask the Almighty to help you realize your potential. Just as a pomegranate is filled with seeds, so are we filled with mitzvot; all that is needed is for us to actualize them. Tell Hashem that just as it is difficult to separate the seeds of a pomegranate, it is difficult for a person to realize their potential, and ask the Almighty for help. 18. Leeks, beets, and dates—ask the Almighty to free you from feelings of hurt, anger, and bitterness toward anyone. Cast these feelings far away from yourself and remove them from your heart. Ask Hashem to help restore your relationships with these people. 19. Fish head—ask Hashem to allow you to lead your family and be at its head (sometimes the children run our lives). A segula against ayin hara—look at the head of the fish, particularly its eyes. 20. A segula for Shalom Bayit—throughout the Seder, ask Hashem to make your home a palace, you its queen, your husband its king, and your children princes and princesses. May all of you be the King’s children—for people expect a certain conduct from the children of a king. 21. Birkat Hamazon—recite it on the first night of Rosh Hashanah with even greater joy and enthusiasm; this is a segula for abundant parnassah. 22. Before going to sleep on Rosh Hashanah, recite Tehillim chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 to prevent bad dreams. The number of words in these psalms equals the gematria of one of the names of the prosecuting angel (the holy Zohar). 23. Shofar—before listening to the sounds of the shofar, it is important to accept upon yourself the mitzvah: “Ve’ahavta lerei’akha kamokha”—“Love your fellow as yourself.” If you harbor resentment toward someone in the synagogue, the shofar will not be able to ascend and “sweeten” the judgment. While the shofar is sounding, one should think about Techiyat HaMetim (the revival of the dead)—that Hashem can bring something back to life from nothing. Do not speak while the shofar is sounding—at this moment, we are being renewed. It is very important to shed a tear while the shofar is sounding, wipe it away with the right hand, and move the hand across the forehead from right to left—in accordance with the Arizal (may his merit protect us). All of a person’s sins are written on the forehead; in this way, we symbolically erase them. This will serve as a shield throughout the year against all troubles and illnesses. One who is capable of shedding a tear is judged by Heaven at that moment, and if they repent, they will be blessed with a good year. During the first shofar blast, identify one specific transgression you committed during the outgoing year and ask forgiveness. During the second shofar blast (shevarim), feel the pain and cry of those who have experienced tragedy: the families of terror victims, those who have lost loved ones, and those who are ill. During the next shofar blast, accept upon yourself a new mitzvah, without saying a word—silently, in your heart: tzniut (greater modesty), tzedakah (giving generously), tefillah (praying more and with greater kavanah), and so on. 24. During the Mussaf prayer, when the chazzan says “Ayyeh”, you may quietly ask for one of three things: parnassah, Ruach HaKodesh, or righteous children. After the first shofar blast on Rosh Hashanah, the judgments are sweetened, and we are judged less harshly in Heaven. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!