There are some things that we speak about all the time, and then, suddenly, we have an aha moment – This is it! This is what we’ve been talking about! The words suddenly become a true part of our essence.
A Yid told me: I hear a lot about giving thanks to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. People often refer to this as a type of segulah. Since the incident that happened to me, I became conscious of how thanking Hashem is so much more than just a nice bonus or a segulah; it is essential.
Hashem blessed me with ample parnassah, and one of the things I like to do is to give, especially to those who are needy and impoverished.
One day, a friend told me about a family in crisis that did not have a fridge. I researched a good model of a refrigerator, the type I would have purchased for myself, and I placed the order.
I happily informed the family that the fridge was on the way, and then I explained to the delivery man where to go. I waited to hear news of their joyful reception of my gift...waited and waited, and finally the call came, but they were full of complaints. Why did you give only a fridge? We asked for a freezer! Why can’t you give with all your heart? Why only half?
I put the phone down and simply fell into the chair. I know that a good deed brings only good results. Hashem obviously wanted to teach me something here.
And then I got it. Don’t I sometimes act the exact same way with my Father in Shamayim? Hashem brings me shefa – family, parnassah, health...and suddenly I am lacking for something, and I immediately make my demand: Abba, give it to me! I need it now! Why don’t I stop and say thank you with all my heart for what Hashem has given and continues to give me all the time?
The Yid concluded: This is when I suddenly got it. It’s not a segulah to thank Hashem; it’s simply called for. It’s a reality.
Maharal teaches in Parshas Bereishis (2:5): Hashem doesn’t do good to someone who doesn’t show gratitude. He adds that it is forbidden to do a favor for someone who does not show gratitude.
Last year the segulah of the mekubal Rabi David Serido was publicized (brought in Mo’adei Haregel, an appendix published with Nefesh Yosef, p. 3.) He testifies that when a person does this, Hashem announces that He has “collected all that the person owes Him, and therefore He forgives him for all his sins. There are seven levels of Heaven, and Hakadosh Baruch Hu literally takes this person’s neshamah and raises it above them and says, “Behold he is pure; I have collected all that he owed Me. He has paid twice as much as he owed for his sins.”
What is all this excitement about?
It’s a very simple segulah. On Erev Rosh Hashanah one should read the parshah of “V’hayah ki savo,” from the beginning of the parshah until the words “...v’hager asher b’kirbecha” (Devarim 26:1-11). Then he can be assured that Hashem will forgive all his sins.
What is the magnitude of this segulah? When a person reads and thinks about the first eleven pesukim of Parshas Ki Savo, he is filled with gratitude for the previous year, and he is satisfied with the good that Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave him. As the Torah concludes: “And you shall rejoice in all the good that Hashem your G-d has given to you and to your household.” We rejoice in Hashem’s goodness and the kindnesses, for all that He gave us the previous year; and then Hakadosh Baruch Hu says, “Behold he is pure; I have collected all that he owed Me. He has paid twice as much as he owed for his sins.”
May we be zocheh to a good, sweet new year. Kesivah vachasimah tovah. Gut Shabbat
Pinchas Shefer
Parshs Rosh Hashana 5785 ■ Issue 148
