[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times]
It is called Segulos haSofer and it is published by a Machon associated with London’s Etz Chaim Yeshiva. It lists twelve chapters of Segulos culled from the writings of the Chasam Sofer and his students.
Rav Moshe Sofer zt”l, also known as the Chasam Sofer (1762-1839), was a leading gadol in his generation, the Rav of the city of Pressburg, a teacher to tens of thousands, and a staunch opponent of Reform Jewry. He also established a Yeshiva that still continues to this day, although it has been relocated to Yerushalayim. The Chasam Sofer was also a remarkably prolific writer, whose novella on Shas, Chumash and response are still used to this day.
His drashos and insights on Chumash are filled with Segulos as well. Each of the Segulos mentioned below are sourced at the bottom of the Sefer. They are mentioned here both to educate and to spark interest in the Sefer. Please be advised, of course, that generally speaking, there are no shortcuts in Yiddishkeit. These, however, may assist us while we daven and attempt to do the ratzon Hashem.
ILLNESS
Was someone very ill and saved from a great danger? He should immerse himself completely in tractate Krisus and Tmurah (p.48). Another possible Segulah for someone to receive a Refuah is to be careful in the recitation of Kiddush Levana (p.39).
Is someone ill and you want your Tefilos to be more effective? Daven for him in front of him, but do not mention his name (p.44).
Is someone having a difficult labor? On page 30 there is a Segulah that if the person who received Maftir on the first day of Rosh haShana visits the house, it will lead to an easier labor.
GROWING
Want to grow in Yiras Shamayim? From the Maharam Bennet zt”l one should look at the handwritten Torah writings of the Chasam Sofer (p. 68). According to Rav Yaakov Landau it is effective to increase one’s Ruach haKodesh (p.70).
Do you need to ensure that you are constantly in a state of Simcha, joy? Learning halachos every day is a Segulah for just that (p. 19).
Need a segulah that your Tefilos be answered more? Daven next to a great Tzaddik (p.12). More effectively perhaps is to be from the Mezakei haRabbim – bringing merit to the masses of people (p. 15).
PARNASAH
In need of a Segulah for Parnasah? The Chasam Sofer recommends a very simple one – making minyan (p. 36). Also, do not eat until you have learned Torah that day (p.33). Need a constant flow of sheaf – abundance? Learn Hilchos Shabbos in depth (p. 34) and daven in a Shul (p. 16). The best days to pursue Parnasah? Tuesdays and Wednesdays (p.35). Oh, and the Mitzvah of Sukkah prepares one for success in all food related ventures (p. 34).
How about help in avoiding strange and apikorsus thoughts? The Avnei Naizer says to learn the response of the Chasam Sofer (p. 65). Indeed, the Belzer Rebbe says that each line that one learns in the Chasam Sofer assists in bringing one toward Teshuvah and Yiras Shamayim (p.66).
Want a general Segulah for success? Recite Tehillim kepitlach 36, 121, 144 (p. 55).
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2 Responses
Your style of writing and insights are exceptional as usual.
An observation. Its not all about shortcuts. You want X? Stand next to Y and rattle off Z ten times fast…
Yes you can find segulos in the works of great men. But it was not their main occupation. So if you study their works and internalize their writings, you may benefit from certain procedures. But the idea of extracting segulos turns honest service of G-d into a leitzanus.
Also, many of these segulos are based on specific ideas. If you have no idea why its being done, and are just rattling off something for a quick fix…it makes Judiasm look like a joke without rational thought. The Torah says that when we keep it properly the world will admit that we are a wise nation
There is so much suffering going on in the world today. We hear terrible tragedies of young people and young parents seriously ill. Parnassah and shidduchim are also a major concern,more than ever. I’m sure people cry their hearts out reciting tehillim. What can hurt if we add some segulos to our prayers? The zechus of a tzaddik always strengthens our prayers.