“She'eilat Ba-Hakitz” (Questioning While Awake) of Mordechai
From the Midrash “Esther Rabbah”, we learn that after Mordechai heard of Haman's plan to destroy all the Jews, at the most difficult time for the Jewish people, he decided to perform “She'eilat Ba-Hakitz” — questioning while awake, as opposed to another technique, “She'eilat Ba-Halom” — questioning in a dream. In the Talmud, we learn that this technique was practiced by Elisha ben Avuya and Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes, who asked children questions. The Kabbalists preserved the tradition of how to properly practice “She'eilat Bahakitz” .First, one must recite Tehillim 51 (the eighth pasuk), with kavanah directed toward the Holy Name (look at it, but do not pronounce it): האתבוחת
הֵן־אֱ֭מֶת חָפַ֣צְתָּ בַטֻּח֑וֹת וּ֝בְסָתֻ֗ם חָכְמָ֥ה תוֹדִיעֵֽנִי
— “Hen emet hafatzta vatuhot u-vesatum hokhma todi'eni” — (For You desire truth in the innermost parts, and You teach me wisdom in secret).
According to the Kabbalists' tradition, these seven words are connected with the power of the seven planets and therefore possess special power.
Then ask a question of the first person you meet (preferably children from a cheder); their answer contains the hint.
After praying to the Almighty, Mordechai approached three boys returning from cheder in the street and asked them what they had studied that day. The first boy answered: — “Al tira mi-pahad pit'om u-mi-sho'at resha'im ki tavo” — (Do not fear sudden terror or the calamity of the wicked when it comes); (Mishlei 3:25) The second boy answered: — “Utzu etzah ve-tufar, dabru davar ve-lo yakum, ki imanu El” — (The enemies of Israel may devise plans, but they will be frustrated; they may conspire, but nothing will come of it—for G-d is with us); (Yeshayahu 8:10) The third boy answered: — “Ve-ad ziknah ani hu, ve-ad seivah ani esbol, ani asiti ve-ani esa, ve-ani esbol ve-amalet” — (Until old age I will remain the same, and until old age I will bear with the people of Israel; I made them, and I will care for them, I will bear with them, and I will save them). (Yeshayahu 46:4) When Mordechai heard these answers, he rejoiced. He understood that G-d was sending him a sign through the mouths of the Jewish children: he need fear no one but G-d, and then salvation would come. There is a well-known golden rule in Judaism: the deeds of the fathers are a sign for their descendants. This deed of Mordechai became part of the Sephardic minhag that has been preserved to this day and passed down through a chain beginning with the great Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Zacuto—the Ramaz—the teacher of the Ramchal. Since then, these three pesukim, recited three times (chazakah), have served as a segulah for annulling the harshest and most severe decrees against the Jewish people.
