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I was talking to my sister over shabbos, and she has been married 8 years without any children. We were discussing the Segulah of Chai Rotel on Lag B’omer. I tried to find a mekor for the segulah but had a hard time. I have heard that it has worked for many people. Does anyone have any stories that confirm its success and does anyone know the mekor of the segulah?
I thought this would be an interesting discussion for this time of year.
I have a friend that waited a long time to get married, He finally met his wife. Shortly after they were married, it was apparent that it would be medically impossible for them to have children. (without going into details). They went to many Doctors to see if they could help and everyone told them, impossible.
They spent many nights crying to Hashem. Finally around Lag B’omer they tried Chai Rotel and a year later she gave birth to a boy. Now the boy will have his bar mitzvah soon.
I believe it works!
I don’t know the mekor for this, or any segulos. I once heard an adam gadol say, its a shame the aseres hadibros were not called the aseres segulos so more people would follow them.
Just because a segulah works, doesn’t make it muttar. Most segulas are superstitions which are assur. Segulahs are supposed to function as reminders that G-d runs the world, and chizzuk to daven. If one believes segulahs are magic it is most likely assur under lo senachashu.
Giving Tedaka is always a good Segulah.
Common,
Thousands of people go to Meron and Daven on Lag B’omer. There must be something to it! It can’t be magic and issur.
Simcha, that is simply not true. Just because your western attitude causes you to dislike something you can’t call it Assur. Up until our material minded time nobody made excuses for the Segulos mentioned in Chazal and later Sefarim, some of which are far from reminders of Mussar (think about the great lesson of half a chicken on your head — perhaps gravity).
As for this Minhag, the source is unknown. It seems to be a Mesora in Eretz Yisroel for some time. Other than the prescribed amount there is nothing mysterious about it. You add to the Simcha that is Lekovod the great Tanna and he intervenes on your behalf. The number 18 might be K’neged the 18th of Iyar, which is the day of Lag Ba’omer. The Maharal attributes significance to that day being the 18th.
I’m sorry, simcha613, this segula is a known one, well-founded and endorsed by many, many gedolim.
The exact function of “chai rotel” I don’t know but I do know that it is a place and time opportune for all sorts of yeshuos, from the time of Rishonim. Many mentioned it in their seforim, about the power of the day coupled with a pledge.
There was a very good article in Ami magazine a while back about when and how the Minhagim of going to Meron started. Even if this Segulah isn’t a real one, all it entails is giving Tzedaka. There’s nothing wrong or Assur with that.
Tzedaka is tzedaka. The segula promised by chazal will come to fruition whether you give chai dollars to your neighbor who needs it or chai roitel to quench the thirst of those visiting meron.
Guys, a segulah doesn’t “work” or “not work”. Hashem works!
Yes, there are amazing segulos with real mekoros, but always remember where the yeshuah is REALLY coming from!
apashuta, did Reb Moshe hold like you when he agreed to the specialty of Tzeddakas Reb Meir Baal Haness? Do you really think a Tzaddik has no say when someone does something Lechvodo?
Did R’ Moshe say that if I give money to the neighbor who needs it it is less tzedaka than if I put it into a R’ Meir Ball Haness pushka? Please do not twist my words or delve into them as if you were learning a Shaages Aryeh. Sometimes the simple meaning is what is meant. All I said is, tzedaka is tzedaka. It is no more, or no less tzedaka than if the name of a tzadik is on the pushka or his picture appears in an advertisement for the cause.
“They describe that Rebbe Shimon promised whoever increases the simcha on his Yartzeit he will increase simcha in their lives.”
OK. And I choose to increase the simcha of my neighbor who could use the help instead of those who are partying in Meron.
Which other tana do we say on ???? ??? ???? ??????? ??
This song was not composed yesterday and it means something
I personally know of a chassidishe couple who were married for over 13 years, and the husband went to Meron and donated chai rottel. He made a neder that if a male child was born, he would bring him back to Meron for the upsherin with chai rottel. That year they moved to NY (on the advice and bracha from their Rebbe), and a year or so later, they were blessed to have a child B’H. They kept their promise and brought the child to Meron for his upsherin.
MosheKon613: Please contact me by fax with your fax # so that I may give you details personally for your sister and her husband. My fax is +44 208 808 9789. Besuros tovos b’karov Amen Kein Yehe Razon!
Nobody is forcing you to give. You are trying to be Mevatel the Inyan, and addressing that point is no twist.
How often do you actually give your poor neighbor the equivalent amount of money? Do you only use him out for your argument not to give? This year, perhaps you should Taake give your neighbor something — Amiraso Ligevo’a…
Yes, Tzeddaka is Tzeddaka and Teffilin is Teffilin. The point here is not that you gave, it is what you gave it to. Forget about the fact that you gave money. The idea is to be Marbe K’vod Hatana.
If someone donated a Shaar for the Beis Hamikdash, was that Tzeddaka? What if he had a neighbor that could use the money? Tzeddaka means to give to the poor and it is a great Mitzva. It was not meant to supplant all other Mitzvos, though. If you are Osek in Hashovas Aveida you are Pattur from Tzeddaka. Giving to Hekdesh is it’s own Mitzva, albeit not Tzeddaka. Not every Mitzva done with money is Tzeddaka.
When you give for a cause other than Tzeddaka, the merit lies in what you are accomplishing. You are building or supporting Torah, Meor Beis Medrash, Reishis Hagez or Simchas Rashbi. Nno one is forcing you what to choose, but one doesn’t cancel the other.
When we say that a Mitzva is Mesugal for something that is very different from a Segula in the more widely used form. While not every Mitzva has a benefit on this world, many Mitzvos have by products that benefit us on this world. The by product does not necessarily make it a ‘better’ Mitzva.
There is a Machlokes Tana’im if you may prepare for a Bris on Shabbos those things that could have been prepared beforehand. Rebbi Eliezer hold that you may and the Chachamim argue. Naturally, we Pasken like the Chachamim andwe may not prepare on Shabbos. In Rebbi Eliezer’s town they Pasken like him, as is often the case. The Gemara says that in that town, in Zechus of their extra effort in Mila they died in their time, they lived long.
Obviously, that was not meant to say that those people are more right. If people in other villages would prepare for the Mila on Shabbos they would be punished. However, diligence in Mila has it’s benefits and they gained from the fact that they happened to have to follow Rebbi Eliezer’s rule.
It is silly to match Mitzvos and to trumpet a certain Mitzva as the main one. Tzeddaka is great and has it’s own by product. It also doubles as a very popular Mitzva that even non-Jews appriciate. By their yardstick it is definitely the only important Mitzva. Make sure to use our yardstick, in which one Mitzva doesn’t outpace another.
One thing I don’t think it means is that there is an inyan to supply mashke to people partying at his kever on lag baomer.
Haleivi. I’m not belittling the tana or those who choose to honor the tanna by supplying mashke to those partying at his kever (although in my opinion, as small as it is, it is a shanda the way many people carry on in meron on lag baomer). I’m saying that I choose to honor the tanna by giving tzedaka to my neighbor.
As to how much money I’ve given for my neighbor (not one specific person, but those in the neighborhood who need, who are given via the local Rav), if you really must know, if Chai Rotel is $125 I’d say on a yearly basis about 12-15 chai rotels.
I’d understand that HaLevi is explaining that the celebration at RASHB”I & / or in the honor of RASHB”I prenounces the glory of RASHB”I, therefore the Zchus of RASHB”I does follow to bless & protect those that celebrate in his honor
Does anyone know if this segulah only works to have children, or it helps for shidduchim, parnassah ect? It seems most of the stories revolve around having children.
I am interested to know
Thanks
One of our married children had no children for many years – and unfortunately still doesn’t – even though we gave a lot of money for this ‘segula’ a few years back. No guarantees.
Also, if you Google “chai rotel,”
there is more than one website displayed.
Which website should be used to purchase the Chai Rotel?
Thank you.
frumkid- my rav told me as long as you give something in the zechus of Rashb”y, it can be a yeshua for anything you daven for.
I was aware of this segulo as it was mentioned in the sefer Taamei Haminhagim (in a footnote) quoting a letter from Rav Benzion halberstam of Bobov. Actually, that reference would have remained obscure, but today, this segulo experienced the same thing as the mitzvah of mishloach manos on Purim – it became a business. Today, the segulo of Chai Rotel is to donate money to an organization (that claims it will give the measure of chai rotel in Meron). Much the same, mishloach monos is now to be fulfilled by donating money to a yeshiva or kollel. While I am not against tzedokoh or supporting yeshivos and charitable organizations, it is getting sickening to see mitzvos and segulos being hijacked for personal gain for a mosad.
The little, that reminds me of a Yeshiva that keeps sendig letters asking for Chanuka Gelt, Mishloach Manos and Ma’os Chitim.
Is HaShem our servant or are we the servants of Hashem? Instead of thinking of ways to get what you want from Hashem, how about thinking of how YOU can serve HIM? There’s another religion where the god sacrifices himself for man, if that’s what you really want.
Yussel,
In Judaism we believe in G-d, but we also believe that Tzaddikim can daven for us because they are closer to G-d than we are. This is plain and simple, why go to kivrei tzaddikim? If you beleive in the Torah and do what Hashem wants from us he will help us in return. The words of tzaddikim stay forever, and Rebbe Shimon said that he will help those who help increase simcha on Lag B’omer! It is in black and white in the zohar!
I received the following in the http://www.halachafortoday.com daily halacha email:
1) Many people have the custom to travel to the city of Meron in the north of Eretz Yisroel for Lag B’ Omer to celebrate this day at the Tzion (gravesite) of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashb”i).
This is an age-old custom that dates back many centuries, already in the times of the Tanaim. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 493:26 and Ta’amei Haminhagim page 296 and on for an in depth list of those who used to go to the Kever Rashb”i)
Some are of the opinion that going from three days before and until three days after Lag B’Omer is also an ideal time to visit the Kever. (See Ta’amei Haminhagim page 268 footnote 43)
One who is unable to travel to the Kever can still take part in this Minhag by learning passages in the Zohar or other teachings of Rashb”i. (Ta’amei Haminhagim page 274)
2) There is a unique minhag to give out drinks to visitors in Meron at the Kever of Rashb”i referred to as “Chai Rotel Mashkeh”.
“Chai Rotel” refers to an ancient measurement equivalent to approximately 55 liters.
The Bobov Rav, Rav Benzion Halberstam Zatzal writes that giving out this drink is a merit for childless couples to be blessed with children. (Ta’amei Haminhagim page 263-264 in the footnotes)
1) One who cannot be in Meron himself to give out the Chai Rotel drinks can appoint someone in their stead to give it for them, or donate Tzedakah to an organization that will do it in their merit.
Although the original minhag was to give out wine or grape juice, nowadays other drinks, including water and carbonated beverages are given out; the main thing is that it’s a Chesed to give drinks to thirsty visitors in the merit of Rashb”i.
2) Large bonfires are lit in Meron [and in communities across the
world] to commemorate the bright light of the hidden Torah (i.e. the Zohar) that Rashb”i revealed and brought down to this world.
Another reason cited for this is to commemorate the ring of fire that encircled Rashb”i and his son Rebbi Elazar as they learned Torah in the cave. (See Ta’amei Haminhagim Page 252 for additional reasons and sources)
The custom is to sing [lively as well as special songs composed in honor of Rashb”i] and dance around the fire.
Additionally, it is customary to light candles near the Tzion [as well as anywhere else there is a fire] in memory of Rashb”i’s Yahrtzeit. Lag B’Omer was also the day Rashb”i and his son emerged from their cave. (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 493:7)
“and Rebbe Shimon said that he will help those who help increase simcha on Lag B’omer!”
So go to a nursing home and be misameach some of its residents this Lag Baomer.
JaneDoe18 i know this orgnization yeshuos rashbi is a very reliable organization and has the biggest seudah open for everyone!!!
Did anyone donate Chai Rotel? We were still discussing it over our shabbos table. I saw Rav Chaim Vital writes about the Arizal and how he danced for hours on Lag B’Omer in Meron.
I went last year and was overcome by the sight of hundreds of thousands of Jews, religious, modern, not frum all together dancing and celebrating Rebbe Shimon. How can Hashem not look down and see the simcha and Kiddush Hashem and give everyone exactly what they need?
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