Even More Segulos, Strategies and Tips
For Years When Rosh Hashanah is on Shabbos:
An article on VINnews.com stated that, in a pre-Rosh Hashana shiur, Rav Moshe Shternbuch shlit”a, discussed the significance of Rosh Hashanah falling on Shabbos. He highlighted that when the shofar isn’t blown on Rosh Hashanah due to it coinciding with Shabbos, the merits of Shabbos protect Klal Yisrael. Historically, such years have brought pivotal moments for Klal Israel, both good and bad, depending on their observance of Shabbos. Rav Shternbuch said, “Therefore, it is appropriate this year, to accept [upon oneself] a Kabbalah on Rosh Hashanah, specifically regarding the honoring of Shabbos, such as establishing a consistent seder to study Hilchos Shabbos throughout the entire year, making Shabbos more holy by learning Torah [on Shabbos], working to inspire others to learn Hilchos Shabbos and become well versed, or similar kabbalos.”
Don’t Talk during Davening:
I visited the website https://www.stopthetalking.org/ and read numerous quotes from esteemed Rabonim of both past and present generations. They highlighted the adverse effects of talking during davening, impacting not just the individuals engaged in conversation, but also the entire kehillah. If we really want our tefillos to be answered, it’s clear that we should abstain from talking during davening. Additionally, we should try to daven at a shul where the attendees are committed to this standard.
Guard Your Eyes:
In 2023, I attended a shiur given by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein. He cited Rav Elazar Nachman Puah who wrote that guarding one’s eyes, purposefully avoiding inappropriate sights, can act as an atonement for sins.
This draws from a concept in Yoma that some grave sins require undergoing suffering, or even death, coupled with Teshuva to obtain atonement. Given that a blind person is likened to someone who is dead, intentionally not looking at forbidden sights equates to self-imposed blindness, thereby providing atonement from sins.
Rabbi Glatstein also referenced Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein who heard from Rav Aharon Roth that such restraint can usher in an Eis Ratzon, a favorable moment to Daven for what you want, which could include atonement. Committing a mitzvah creates an Eis Ratzon. Thus, by not violating the negative commandment of V’lo sasuru—one fulfills a mitzvah. This conscientious act, demanding considerable effort, can create a potent Eis Ratzon, corresponding with the principle of L’fum Tzara Agra, which maintains that the magnitude of the reward is proportional to the effort exerted.
Recite Shema with Awe, Fear, Trepidation, and Trembling:
In a shiur I heard online, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein referenced multiple sources suggesting that when reciting the Shema (particularly the words “with all your soul”), one should consciously have in mind that he is willing to sacrifice his life for Kiddush Hashem if the situation demands it. Furthermore, some say that one should imagine himself sacrificing his life for Kiddush Hashem at that moment. Embracing this mindset is akin to genuinely offering our life for Kiddush Hashem. Given that death, when paired with Teshuva, can provide atonement for specific sins, this mental act can also serve as a means of atonement.
Rabbi Daniel Garfinkel, in his sefer “Ka’asher Tziva Hashem,” emphasizes that while engaging in these thoughts when saying “with all your soul” one should intend to fulfill the Mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem.
Here are a few of the sources Rabbi Glatstein mentioned in the shiur:
ותקנה שמענו למי שנתחיב מיתה לשמים בעוון חלול השם וכדומה, שיכון למסר נפשו למיתה בלב שלם בכל פעם שאומר קריאת שמע ובאמירת נפילת אפים, ומחשבה טובה הקדוש ברוך הוא מצרפה למעשה (קדושין מ א)
And a remedy that we have heard for someone who is liable for the death penalty of heaven due to Chillul Hashem and the like, is that he should intend to give up his life wholeheartedly every time he recites the Shema and during the saying of the Tachanun prayer. And a good intention, the Holy One, blessed be He, considers as an action (Kiddushin 40a).
(Pele Yoetz 131 – Chillul Hashem)
באימה ויראה – ונראה דאימה ויראה זו היא באופן זה שיכוין בשעה שהוא קורא את שמע לקבל עליו עול מ”ש להיות נהרג על קידוש השם המיוחד דזהו בכל נפשך אפילו נוטל את נפשך ועל זה אמר הכתוב כי עליך הורגנו כל היום כי אז בכונה זו יקראנה באימה ויראה ורתת וזיע
With awe and fear – And it seems that this awe and fear is in this manner: One should intend, when reciting the Shema, to accept upon himself the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven to the extent of being ready to give up his life for the sanctification of God’s unique name. This is in line with the words “with all your soul,” even if He takes your soul. About this, the verse says, “For Your sake, we are killed all day long.” For with such intention, one will recite it with awe, fear, trepidation, and trembling.
(Mishnah Berurah 61:3)
I also saw this Gemara discussing the meaning of ״וּבְכׇל נַפְשְׁךָ״:
״וּבְכׇל נַפְשְׁךָ״ — אֲפִילּוּ הוּא נוֹטֵל אֶת נַפְשְׁךָ
And with all your soul – means even if Hashem takes your soul.
Berachos 54a
Do teshuvah during the Ten Days of Teshuvah, especially on Yom Kippur, because it is an eis ratzon when our tefillah and teshuvah are readily accepted:
אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַתְּשׁוּבָה וְהַצְּעָקָה יָפָה לָעוֹלָם. בַּעֲשָׂרָה הַיָּמִים שֶׁבֵּין רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הִיא יָפָה בְּיוֹתֵר וּמִתְקַבֶּלֶת הִיא מִיָּד שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נה ו) “דִּרְשׁוּ ה’ בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ”.
Even though repentance and calling out (to Hashem) are always good, during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (including the two days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur itself) they are especially good and are accepted immediately, as it is said: “Seek Hashem when He may be found.”
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 2:6)
יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הוּא זְמַן תְּשׁוּבָה לַכּל לַיָּחִיד וְלָרַבִּים וְהוּא קֵץ מְחִילָה וּסְלִיחָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. לְפִיכָךְ חַיָּבִים הַכּל לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
Yom Kippur is a time of repentance for everyone, for both the individual and the community, and it is the culmination of forgiveness and pardon for Israel. Therefore, everyone is obligated to repent and to confess on Yom Kippur.
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 2:7)
Forgiveness and Mitzvos 