“Segulot” are defined today as certain religious actions or acts that can influence the way HaShem behaves with us, responds to us, etc. Of course, we must be very careful not to trivialize this idea, because we can not make up Segulot or think that through certain superstitions we will ח”ו manipulate HaShem, thus imitating the worst ideas of pagan society.
Also, “Segulot” of doubtful origin must be taken with a grain of salt …
Therefore, in the next few days we will only present Segulot that are not controversial, that is, that are fully accepted in Am Israel; that can be examined under the magnifying glass of Jewish common sense, and which are based strictly on original and verifiable Jewish sources.
Let’s start with one of the most important Segulot: What should we do so HaShem listens, pays attention to, and ideally answers our prayers?
Every day we declare in the Amida, the most important prayer, ki Ata shome’a Tefilat kol pe, “You, HaShem -God- listen to the prayers of the mouths [of all those who pray to You ] “. The Rabbis of the Talmud did not say that it is necessary to wait for auspicious hours or astrologically positive times to pray, as did the pagan prophet Bil’am. In fact, we can and should pray to HaShem whenever we want (especially in order to thank Him!) or whenever we need it. And we can expect HaShem to listen to us at all times, and also to respond to our requests positively.
But there are exceptions. Sometimes, regardless of the merit of our request, HaShem does NOT listen to our prayers. These exceptions are strictly related to our behavior. If our behavior, especially with other people, is not appropriate, then our Tefilot will be rejected, and vice versa!
No one described this scenario better than the prophet Yesha’ayahu (Isaiah) when he said in the name of HaShem: (Chapter 1:15) “When you raise your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes [I will ignore you]. You would be offering many prayers, but I will not listen to them. “
Thus Yesha’ayahu tells us that sometimes HaShem ignores us and flatly rejects our prayers. Fortunately, Yesha’ayahu also explains to us in what circumstances HaShem rejects our prayers. At the end of verse 1:15 he says it explicitly. I will not listen to your prayers because “… your hands are full of blood.”
Yesha’ayahu denounced the hypocrisy of some corrupt people, who killed, robbed, cheated in their businesses, practiced bribery to corrupt justice, did not help the widows, did not defend the orphans or assisted the poor … and expected that HaShem would answer their prayers! Yesha’ayahu denounced that these people prayed and offered sacrifices to God, as if it were a form of a coercion, as if HaShem could be bribed. They had a very childish, immature and non-Jewish idea of God.
Yesha’ayahu then explained to them that there cannot be a divorce between what we do and the response of HaShem to our prayers. HaShem did not listen to the prayers of these people and rejected their sacrifices because their behavior was horrible. They came to Bet haMiqdash after doing all these immoralities and acted as if nothing had happened, or as if HaShem did not know what they actually did. Yesha’ayahu told them categorically: HaShem rejects the prayer of the corrupt.
But he also told them that they are not doomed forever. That if a corrupt person repents and improves his o her behavior, HaShem will accept him. In order for that situation to be reversed and for God to be willing to listen to their prayers, Yesha’ayahu told them what to do: (1:16-17)
“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves [from your evil deeds]. Stop doing evil, learn to practice righteousness, seek justice, defend the oppressed and fight for the cause of the orphan, plead for the widows.” Then HaShem, when He sees these good deeds, will listen carefully to your prayers.
Tomorrow BH will continue to see how the rabbis of the Gemara explained this same principle: that there is a solid relationship between our integrity and morality and the merit of our Tefilot being heard.
