«Sifra DeTzniuta» – Salvation for the Final Generation

«Sifra DeTzniuta» – Salvation for the Final Generation

«Sifra DeTzniuta» (the hidden book) was composed by the Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (may his merit protect us), and it contains the entire hidden Torah. The writings of the Arizal state that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a spark of the soul of Moshe Rabbeinu (peace be upon him), and therefore «Sifra DeTzniuta» contains five chapters, corresponding to the Five Books of the Torah. But if the Torah has revealed and hidden dimensions, then «Sifra DeTzniuta» is the hidden within the hidden. This book itself is an abridgment of the Holy Zohar, for we find its contents presented at length in other chapters of the Zohar HaKadosh. The Arizal says that studying the Zohar is a segula for purifying the soul, which leads to an understanding of the entire Torah. Rav Avraham Azulai relates that one who wishes for the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai to enter his home should study the Zohar HaKadosh, particularly «Sifra DeTzniuta». One who does so is considered as having placed a crown upon the head of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Numerous sources speak of studying the Zohar, and in particular «Sifra DeTzniuta», which is an abridgment of the Zohar, as a segula for sweetening judgments, salvation from troubles, and a long life filled with peace and prosperity.   Gaon Rav Yitzchak Nissim (may his merit protect us), teacher of the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, related to his students that the Vilna Gaon taught that every word in «Sifra DeTzniuta» is equivalent to approximately ten pages of the Zohar HaKadosh, and that each reading of «Sifra DeTzniuta» is equivalent to ten readings of the Zohar HaKadosh.   Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (may his merit protect us) said that «Sifra DeTzniuta» is the final lifeline for the Final Generation, and that it can be saved and forgiven through great Divine Mercy. With G-d’s help, it will avoid suffering through prayer with «Sifra DeTzniuta», for through reading «Sifra DeTzniuta», a person merits miracles beyond the natural order.   Rabbi Ben Zion Mutzafi (shlita), quoting his father, the Mekubal Rabbi Salman Mutzafi (may his merit protect us), writes that studying Torah for one hour during «Raava de-Raavin» (Ratzon HaRatzonot), the greatest time of Divine favor, from Chatzot Layla (midnight) on Shabbat until Shkiah (sunset), is equivalent to 17,000 myriads of hours – that is, 170,000,000 hours.   Pele Yoetz, Arizal, Nefesh HaChaim, the Chida, Baal Shem Tov, the Komarno Gaon, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Chazon Ish, Ben Ish Chai, Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri, Chafetz Chaim, Admor HaZaken, and other great Mekubalim write that reading the Zohar HaKadosh purifies and sanctifies the mind and soul. This is like the parable of a person who entered a perfume shop: when he left, even though he had bought nothing, the pleasant fragrance lingered wherever he went. Even if you do not understand, skip passages, or make mistakes while reading, this reading brings about great changes in Heaven, and abundant blessings descend upon the one who reads or studies the Zohar HaKadosh. He receives great salvations, and through reading or studying it, may we be redeemed through great Mercy together with all Am Yisrael. Amen, may it be so! Note: The Holy Names of HaShem are not pronounced aloud; they are only visualized (looked at with the eyes and contemplated).   A Chain of Miracles through Reading «Sifra DeTzniuta» It all began with a message sent to Silatehilim by a woman who experienced salvation through reading the Sefer «Sifra DeTzniuta» for 40 days, asking that as many Jews as possible be told about the power of this book. In Israel, this woman was being prepared for a very difficult and serious operation, with no promise of a positive outcome. One can imagine the state of this desperate woman. She began searching for prayers and segulot to which she had never previously turned. Quite unexpectedly, she was introduced to a Rav who advised her to read «Sifra DeTzniuta» for 5–10 minutes a day until the operation. The day after the extremely complicated operation, she easily got out of bed, walked through the ward without assistance, and did not need any painkillers. The entire medical staff looked at her without understanding what was happening, since the diagnosis had led everyone to expect the worst possible outcome. Everyone understood that an open miracle had occurred, and when asked, “What did you do?” she answered everyone: “I simply read «Sifra DeTzniuta».” After recovering, she was not content to stop there and became interested in the influence of this book on other Jews. Together with her new Rav, she decided to contact people who had studied the book and learned of other cases of salvation through «Sifra DeTzniuta». She herself became an active participant in the mitzvah of spreading this book. One woman told her about her own life experience: when she gave birth to a child who was deaf from birth, she spent many years searching for every possible treatment and doctor, but never saw her child healed. On the advice of acquaintances, she turned to a Rav, who advised her to read a short passage of «Sifra DeTzniuta» every day. After some time, the child began to hear, and then his hearing was fully restored. The next story took place in the Beit Knesset of one of Israel’s towns. A dibbuk (evil spirit) had entered a Jewish man, and he was brought to this Beit Knesset to a respected Rav, but for a long time the dibbuk resisted and would not leave the man. Suddenly, a man entered the synagogue carrying a small pocket edition of the Sefer «Sifra DeTzniuta», and when the dibbuk saw it, it immediately left the man. There are many such stories of yeshuot resulting from reading «Sifra DeTzniuta». Rav Shmueli of Kever Rashbi says that Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi (may his merit protect us) taught that a person experiencing problems should make a practice of periodically traveling to Rashbi in Meron and reading «Sifra DeTzniuta» – this is equivalent to reading the entire Torah. Even simply carrying the Sefer «Sifra DeTzniuta» with oneself at all times is already a great segula, as the story above demonstrates. You can find the complete text of «Sifra DeTzniuta», with transliteration and translation, on our website in the Books section of the menu, in PDF format. The Silatehilim website expresses its immense gratitude to Rav Alexander Tzvi Sypkov for preparing the transliteration and translation from Aramaic of «Sifra DeTzniuta» for the website. May the zechut of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai protect Am Yisrael!