Eliyahu HaNavi Zachor Latov

Eliyahu HaNavi Zachor Latov

“Eliyahu HaNavi, Zachor Latov” — (the Prophet Elijah, remembered for good) — this is a very powerful prayer for Motzaei Shabbat and beyond. Once, the holy Baal Shem Tov made a “Lechaim” in his Beit Midrash, saying that he was filled with great joy: his prayer had been accepted in Heaven. “Eliyahu HaNavi and I had the same teacher—the Prophet Ahiyah HaShiloni,” he related. “But what is the difference between us?” Eliyahu is “Zachor Latov”; every mention of his name brings blessing. I do not possess this quality. I prayed at length that my name, too, would bring Jews good fortune, and today my request was granted. When stories about me are told at the conclusion of Shabbat, they will bring blessing.” (Rav Yaakov Doctor on “Pekudei,” Shabbat Shekalim) The expression “Zachor Latov” is used only in connection with people who never died, but entered Gan Eden alive: Harvonah (Achashverosh’s soldier), Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, and others. (Derech Eretz Zuta 1) There is a tradition of reciting an excerpt from the Zohar (Tikunim, p. 17a), “Patach Eliyahu HaNavi”, on Motzaei Shabbat. Afterward, the words “Eliyahu HaNavi, Zachor Latov” are recited. Motzaei Shabbat is the time when Eliyahu HaNavi is destined to come and announce the final Geulah. Therefore, we pray that he will come and that we will merit seeing him. (Talmud, Eruvin 43b) However, the Ben Ish Chai, based on Kabbalah, strongly recommends reciting the prayer-phrase “Eliyahu HaNavi, Zachor Latov” 130 times on Motzaei Shabbat. Interestingly, the gematria of the phrase “Eliyahu HaNavi, Zachor Latov” = 400. This is a good segula for parnasah, since the gematria of the phrase ha-parnasah = 400 — הפרנסה. (Ben Ish Chai) 400 is also the gematria of the phrase “ayin ra” — עין רע; therefore, one can have the kavanah of removing the evil eye for the entire week. Some sages say that we should repeat the words “Eliyahu HaNavi” 130 times. 130 is the numerical value of the phrase אליהו הנביא — “Eliyahu HaNavi”, adding 10 [10 letters]. This is also the gematria of the word “eye,” עין. This minhag has a certain depth that can be understood only by people on a particular spiritual level. Some books mention that “Eliyahu HaNavi” should be recited 52 times. 52 is the numerical value of the word “Eliyahu”. (Likrat Shabbat, vol. 2, chapter 33, note 3) There is also a special prayer composed so that the name Eliyahu is repeated 100 times; when recited at the conclusion of Shabbat, it is a tremendous segula for success in all endeavors throughout the week. 3 Prayers for Motzei Shabbat for a Successful Week The Prayer “Eliyahu HaNavi Zachor Latov” According to Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi In the Sephardic communities of Israel, a Seder featuring the prayer “Eliyahu HaNavi Zachor Latov”, according to Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi (zechuto yagen aleinu), is practiced on Motzaei Shabbat before Melaveh Malkah. This is a very beautiful Seder consisting of 13 prayers, each beginning with the phrase “Eliyahu HaNavi Zachor Latov”, which is repeated seven times before each prayer. After each prayer, the person reciting it lights a candle; at the end, there are 17 candles on the tray—the gematria of the word “tov”: 13 from the prayers and four for Melaveh Malkah, corresponding to the acronym of the word “Adam”—Eliyahu HaNavi, David HaMelech, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, and the Baal Shem Tov. At the conclusion of the prayers, Psalm 17 is recited, corresponding to the number of candles, followed by Psalm 100, the Psalm of Thanksgiving. During the meal, emphasis is placed on two segulot: 1. Immediately after reciting the blessing over the bread, take warm bread in your hands and recite three times: פת חמין במוצאי שבת סגולה לרפואה שלמה לנפש לגוף — “Pat hamin be-Motzaei Shabbat — segula le-refuah shleimah la-nefesh ve-la-guf, ve-simchah lanu le-chol Amo Yisrael kol yemot ha-shavua”; (Warm bread on Motzaei Shabbat—a segula for complete healing of the soul and body, and for joy for the entire people of Israel every day of the week.) 2. During the meal, before drinking a hot beverage, recite three times: חמין במוצאי שבת מלוגמא לשמחה בלב לכל השבוע — “Hamin be-Motzaei Shabbat melugma, le-simchah ba-lev le-chol ha-shavua”; During the meal, someone reads the passage corresponding to the calendar date from the Chafetz Chaim’s book on lashon hara. Then a sipur about the Baal Shem Tov is told. At the end of the meal, Shir HaShirim and Psalm 23 are recited. The meal concludes with Birkat HaMazon. Many who practice this Melaveh Malkah Seder testify to yeshuot in their lives. Seder Melaveh Malkah of the Mekubal Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi (Based on the Melaveh Malkah Seder with Rabbanit Ora Assuri)