Auspicious Days of the Month — The Segula of the Ben Ish Hai

Auspicious Days of the Month — The Segula of the Ben Ish Hai

In the book “Niflaim Maasecha”, citing an ancient work, Ben Ish Hai describes every day of the month and what each day is auspicious for: Day 1: On this day, Adam and Chavah were born (created). It is a very good day: one born on this day will prosper and rise, and will have a favorable destiny. For a sick person, the segula on this day is to perform “Pidyon HaNefesh” before the Mincha prayer and increase one's tzedakah. One who is without sons should give tzedakah and pray on this day, and his prayer will be received favorably. Reading Tehillim is especially beneficial on this day. One who does so will certainly be answered. Day 2: This day is especially suited to wishing a sick person well and praying for a complete recovery (Refuah Shleimah). One born on this day will resemble his mother, while his strength will come from his father. Day 3: If one becomes ill on this day (G-d forbid), one should give tzedakah according to one's means for the redemption of one's soul and accept upon oneself that, when one recovers from the illness, one will perform a mitzvah. This day is also good for acquiring ritual objects, such as a tallit, tefillin, mezuzot, books, and the like. Day 4: This day is good for anything. One who marries on this day will have a favorable destiny and a good sign, and will rejoice with his wife; however, the children born to them will require special protection. Day 5: This day is suited to repentance and is difficult for work. Day 6: This day is suited to reading the book of Tehillim and to offering good wishes and prayers for the healing of the sick. Day 7: The segula is to increase one's tzedakah, set aside maaser, distribute it among the poor, and give each petitioner as much as one can afford. One born on this day will live a long life. Day 8: This day is good in every respect. Metushelach was born on this day. There is a great segula on this day for anyone in distress—for example, one who is without sons, lacks money, and so on: one should recite Akedat Yitzchak—the passage about the Binding of Isaac—seven times before the Mincha prayer, and Pitum HaKetoret three times, with the required kavanah; then pray Mincha and present one's request in the prayer. Day 9: This day is auspicious for educating children. Lemech was born on this day. The morning hours are a time of favor, when one can find favor in the eyes of the Almighty. Day 10: This is a good day for all matters, for any construction, for teaching and studying laws, and for judging. One born on this day will live a long life, and on this day Noach began building the Ark. There is also a segula on this day to have one's tefillin, mezuzot, and tzitzit checked; the person who has them checked will be rewarded with longevity. Day 11: The segula on this day is to host a meal for Talmidei Chachamim, in order to be blessed with worthy descendants. Shet was born on this day. This day is also good in every respect and for making purchases. Day 12: This day is auspicious for fieldwork, and a sick person will receive good news on this day. If one observes purity on this day, immerses in a mikveh, fasts, and calls out to the Almighty, one will be answered. Day 13: This day is suited to studying the book of Bereishit. If a guest comes to you, it is a sign that an evil decree issued against you will be annulled and that no affliction (mold) will approach your tent. It is also good on this day to meet with one's teacher and receive his blessings. One should take special care to avoid anything dependent on the work of a specialist at the beginning of the day, such as having a haircut. Day 14: This day is good in every respect, and Noach blessed his sons on this day. One born on this day will be great and righteous, and will live a long life. It will also be an auspicious day for studying the Book of Devarim and the Fifth Book of Tehillim. Day 15: This day is auspicious for studying tractate Sukkah. One should be careful not to argue on this day, since it was on this day that the languages were divided, giving rise to disputes. A hint that it is good to study tractate Sukkah on this day is found in the verse (Tehillim 31:21): “You hide them in the shelter of Your presence from the schemes of men; You conceal them in a sukkah from contentious tongues.” On this day, one should study tractate Sukkah and recite it after Kaddish de-Rabbanan; in this way, one saves oneself from a violent, merciless, and predatory person. In the book “Sha'ar HaGilgulim,” Rabbi Chaim Vital transmitted from his teacher, the Arizal HaKadosh, that every 15th day of the Jewish month—especially Erev Rosh Chodesh—we can achieve a deeper connection with our tzadikim, because their souls are present here at that time. This is in addition to their days of hilula—their yahrzeit. The most appropriate time for this is Chatzot L夜la—the time after midnight—which is considered the most suitable time for our prayers to be accepted in Heaven. One should give tzedakah, light a 24-hour candle for all the tzadikim, and ask them to elevate our prayers as high as possible. (Rabbi Chaim Vital, “Sha'ar HaGilgulim” (Introduction 38))   Day 16: This day is suited to attracting great success in all endeavors through studying the Book of Vayikra. One who is ill on this day (G-d forbid!) will quickly recover. One born on this day will be known for good qualities. It is also good on this day to arrange a chuppah for a bride and groom. Day 17: It is good on this day to read about the 613 mitzvot and add the seven mitzvot of the descendants of Noach, thereby bringing the total to 620—the gematria of the word “Keter” (כתר). The segula of this study is to annul evil decrees and judgments and to be inscribed for a good life. Day 18: This is a good day to set out on a journey, whether by sea or by land. For one born on this day, it is a good sign, since Yaakov Avinu was born on this day. This day is suited to studying the Book of Shoftim, in order to be saved from the evil eye and the hatred of envious people throughout the month. Day 19: This day is good for anything and for any work, and a sick person will receive good news on this day. For example, the 19th day of the month is the day on which our forefather Yitzchak married Rivkah. The sign for this day is the phrase בואי כלה —“bo'i kalah” (come, bride)—the gematria of the word בואי  “come” = 19. One born on this day will be good-looking. This day is suited to prayer, and if people gather to read Tehillim together with Akedat Yitzchak—the passage about the Binding of Isaac—their prayer will be accepted, and Hashem's help will arrive within three days. Day 20: This day is good for anything and is especially suited to giving tzedakah as a gift from one's own hand. The sign for this is the word “his hand” (ידו), whose gematria is 20. It is good on this day to host a meal for Talmidei Chachamim and receive their blessings, because on this day Yitzchak Avinu blessed Yaakov Avinu (may his soul rest in peace). Note: I would like to add that tzedakah should not be given if the 20th day of the month falls on Shabbat; it is better to limit oneself to the meal or give the tzedakah beforehand. Furthermore, many midrashim state that Yaakov received Yitzchak's blessing on the night of the Pesach holiday. In this case, there is a contradiction. Day 21: One should be careful on this day not to become angry or argue. Anger on this day is especially harmful. There is one unfavorable hour on this day, and the segula for being saved from it is to read Akedat Yitzchak, Pitum HaKetoret, and the passage about lighting the Menorah. It is also good to give tzedakah. Day 22: This day is good for anything, as indicated by the verse (Kohelet 7:14): בְּיוֹם טוֹבָה הֱיֵה בְטוֹב - “On a day of goodness, be good.” The gematria of the word טוֹבָה “good” = 22. Yosef HaTzadik was born on this day of the month. The first half of the day is auspicious for healing, as it is said (Yeshayahu 49:8): “So said the L-rd: In a time of favor I have answered you. Take special care on this day to avoid every sin and transgression.” Note: Other sources state that Yosef was born on the first of Tammuz. Day 23: This is a good day, and Binyamin was born on this day. It is good to increase one's Torah study on this day, as indicated by the verse (Tehillim 1:2): “And he studies (יהגה) His Torah day and night.” The gematria of the word יהגה “studies” = 23. The segula on this day for those who are without sons is to study the Books of Shmuel and pray to the Almighty, and He will answer them. Day 24: One should guard oneself against everything. The sign for this is the verse (Tehillim 74:21): “Let not the oppressed (דך) return ashamed.” The gematria of the word דך “oppressed” = 24. One must be especially careful on this day to avoid the evil eye. The segula for protection from it is to set aside tzedakah. Day 25: This is not a good day for undertaking any task. One who is compelled to do something on this day should read Psalm 4 and Psalm 119, according to the letters of one's name. In this way, one will draw Chesed upon oneself. Day 26: This is an excellent day for any work. The sign is the word “and it came to pass” (והיה), which in the Torah always accompanies joyful events; its gematria is 26. The segula on this day is to read the Book of the Prophet Yonah, which we read as the haftarah on Yom Kippur. A segula for easing a difficult labor is to give tzedakah on this day, so that the child will be born safely. Day 27: This day is average with regard to everything, including any purchase. It is auspicious for prayer (prayer brings success) from midday onward. This is a time of favor. Day 28: This day is good for fasting and tzedakah, for increasing one's Torah study, and for reading Tehillim. These practices are especially beneficial during the waning of the moon. These are good days. Day 29: This day of the month is the same as the 28th day of the month. Its description is also the same: this day is good for fasting and tzedakah, for increasing one's Torah study, and for reading Tehillim. These practices are especially beneficial during the waning of the moon. These are good days. P.S. The book “Otzrot Melachim” contains a similar description of the days, the Segulat HaYamim.   (Based on the book “Niflaim Maasecha” by the Ben Ish Hai—translated and annotated by Alexander-Tzvi Sypkov)