Rosh Chodesh Sivan—the beginning of blessed days

Rosh Chodesh Sivan—the beginning of blessed days

From Rosh Chodesh Sivan until Shavuot—six blessed days. The holy Arizal writes that when a particular day arrives, the spiritual energy of the events that occurred on that day—even hundreds or thousands of years ago—is awakened. 1 Sivan 3,300 years ago, the Jewish people arrived at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. Therefore, on this day, the gates of wisdom and all kinds of blessings were opened to them, as it is written in the holy Zohar. 1 Sivan—a gift for women.  Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk writes that if a woman fulfills the mitzvah of having a meal on Rosh Chodesh, she will certainly have children. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov writes that she will not only give birth, but will also merit raising them joyfully and seeing nachas from them. On Rosh Chodesh, every woman should try to have a meal with bread. Washing the hands is required, followed by Birkat HaMazon after the meal; this is a segula for abundance. It is therefore very important to hold a meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh—not only for women, but for men as well. During the meal, women should read: 1. The Book of Bereishit, from chapter 1 through the beginning of chapter 2, where Shabbat is discussed, followed by a personal prayer: Prayer: “Ribono Shel Olam, in the merit of the Book of Bereishit and in the merit of the meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh, help me start everything anew, renew myself, and forget the bad things. Send me abundance, both spiritual and material.” This is a time for renewal and new beginnings, and it is entirely appropriate to wish to receive from G-d the abundance that He sends down into this world. Beginning on Rosh Chodesh Sivan and until Shavuot, men should study Masechet Berakhot for at least 5 minutes each day. It does not matter whether you understand what is written or not; the main thing is to read. Then read “Tikkun HaKlali”. This purifies and prepares a person to receive the Torah.   When the Jewish people were called a Segulah 2 Sivan is called Yom HaMeyuchad (the Special Day), the day when G-d said, “You are set apart for Me from among the nations.” This is the very day on which G-d called our people וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל-הָעַמִּים – “Vihyitem li segulah mikol ha-amim”—(and you shall be My treasured people among all the nations). (Exodus 19:5) A great segula for women is to read the following: 1. “Nishmat Kol Chai”; 2. Tehillim 27, 30, 49, 51, 63, and 77, followed by personal requests. Men should read Masechet Shabbat for at least 5 minutes a day, as well as “Tikkun HaKlali.”   3 Sivan—the holy Zohar says that on this day great secrets about the creation were revealed and Divine light descended into our world, and this happens every year. It is very important for every woman to read: 1. The Book of Shemot, the Yitro portion—from perek 19 through 20 (not including chapter 20); 2. Hannah’s prayer, lines 1 through 10. Men should do the same, except that after Shemot, instead of Hannah’s prayer, they should read “Tikkun HaKlali,” followed by Masechet Kiddushin. (Rabbi Raphael Avitan, translated by Zoya Haya Tigai and Ila Tova Schlesser)