The word Segula in Hebrew means a precious thing, a virtue hidden in someone, or a means to achieve something. We are using Segula as the realization of the potential to be a blessing. The Jews are called ´am segula, which means that they were endowed with the ability to realize their potential through Torah and its commandments. The vowel segol and the cantillation mark segol or segolta each constitutes of three dots in a triangle, representing the peace that comes through joining the left and the right columns. The term segula also refers at times to an amulet, talisman or other objects that hold the power of transforming potential into actual.

Forty days represents the period in which nothing becomes something, e.g., an embryo, according to our sages, forms in forty days. Moses ascended to Mount Sinai to receive Torah and stayed there for forty days twice (some commentators say three times). The Jews were in the desert for forty years. Elijah the prophet spent forty days in the desert.

There is a Jewish folk tradition that reciting the Song of Songs is a segula for finding love. There is also a folk tradition that reciting the Song of Songs for forty days is a segula for making real your deepest desires.

The Song of Songs works as a segula by opening the heart. It is the story of redemption. It is at once a love song between two lovers, the history of all past and future redemption of the Jews, and the song of redemption of the soul captivated by the body and by material existence. All the blessings already exit. The softening of the heart, the circumcision of the heart, enables blessings to move from potential to actual. Our practice is an act of atonement from love.

I have been using 40-day segula practices for several years. Specifically, I have used the Song of Songs in times of difficulties in love; Parashat Haman, the story of the giving of manna and Shabbat, Exodus 16, in times of financial strife; and the struggle of Jacob with the angel, Genesis 32, at times of emotional distress.

A few years ago, Diana Afari asked me for a Biblical passage for one of her patients who was struggling. I did not have an answer at first, but then realized that the story of Jacob´s struggle with the angel could work. It then came to me that it would be wonderful if our entire Song of Songs study Group could recite the Song together. The group agreed, and we were blessed with the awesome experiences as individuals and as a group.

The spiritual assignment of this year is purification. There are two types of purification: one is cleaning all that is toxic, unclean, dangerous and potentially harmful. The other type of purification is cleaning out excess—that which is superfluous, unnecessary, not really needed.

Through out the year, we’ll examine our physical and spiritual belongings and try to discard both unclean and unecessary objects. We’ll look at our furniture, closets, drawers, utensils, equipment, tools, and all our physical possession and determine if we need really them. We’ll clean up our hard drives and bookshelves, yards and cars. We’ll seprate respectfully from each object by thanking it for its service to us, and sending it on its new destination.

The physical clean up will be a companion to a spiritual clean up process where we’ll try to get rid of toxic thoughts and thought patterns, mourn over what has already died, grieve for what needs grieving, and open up new empty space for new creations.

May all the curses of last year turn into the blessings of next year. Blessed is HaShem forever, Amen & Amen.

At times during the practice, things change. It is not always fun. At first, you might feel that you increasingly understand the Song better and better, but as the practice continues, this clarity might evaporate. You might become confused, depressed, or agitated on some days, to be followed by days of calm, bliss, joy or indifference.

It is good to continue the practice even through difficulties, to keep moving. If you are really changing, there might be a need to mourn over your old self, even if you didn´t like aspects of your old self. If you miss a day or two, please make up for it the following day or days.

It is good to set up a particular time and place, if possible. The practice takes around 20 minutes. Please spend some meditation or quiet time before and after. Silence and rest are essential. Try reading aloud, softly, with a melody, without, alone or with others. If you can read a little Hebrew, read just a few verses per day. If you can read the whole song in its original Hebrew, the power of the Song is infinite.

Some of us keep a journal to document the journey.

When you finish reciting, listen: you might hear us all say "Amen" to your deepest being. "We" are all the members of the group, everyone who has ever recited the Song, as well as everyone who will ever recite the Song in the future. On blessed days, the entire creation, past, present and future, will thank you for leading its prayer of salvation.

Please remember that you are not alone. Our Song of Songs Group, which meets every Wednesday, is around 15-18 strong. There are some 70 people on our mailing list. Some 15 have told us that they will be joining us. Everyone is welcome.

The following file contains our translation, Malbim commentary and creative verse commentary on Song of Songs 1:1-2:9. The file size is about 450Kb.

Ronnie Serr

To subscribe to the group´s email list, please write to ronnie@alphabethouse.com

Shirata 19, 29 Av 5771 - August 19, 2011
Shirata 18, 29 Av 5770 - August 8, 2010
Shirata 17, 1 Adar 5770 - February 15, 2010
Shirata 16,1 Elul 5769 - October 28, 2009
Shirata 15, 4 of Adar Sheni 5769 - February 28, 2009
Shirata 14, 25 Av 5768 - August 26, 2008
Shirata 13, 1 Adar Rishon 5768 - February 6, 2008
Shirata 12, 1 Elul 5767 - August 14, 2007
Shirata 11, 20 Sh′vat 5767 - February 8, 2007
Shirata 10, 4 of Adar, 5765, March 3, 2006
Shirata 9, 1 Elul 5765 - September 6, 2005
Shirata 8, 3 Second Adar 5765 - March 14, 2005
Shirata 7, First Adar 5765 - Feburary 2, 2005
Shirata 6, 22 Shevat 5765 - January 31, 2005
Shirata 5, Shevat 5765, Jan 2005
Shirata 4, 23 of Kislev 5765, Dec 6, 2004
Shirata 3, 17 of Kislev 5765, Nov 29, 2004
Shirata 2, 9 of Kislev 5765, Nov 22, 2004
Shirata 1, 2 of Kislev 5765, Nov 15, 2004