Summary of Methods and Segulos to Obtain Forgiveness from Hashem and Mitigate Harsh Judgments

The next four pages on this site are packed with material, including source texts in both Hebrew and English.

When I revisited them recently, I found it a bit overwhelming.

So, I thought, why not make things easier with a summary? Here it is. I hope you find it helpful!

Primary Methods to Obtain Forgiveness

  1. Do Teshuva (Yerushalmi Ta’anit 2:1, and many other sources).
  2. Do Teshuva Out of Love (Yoma 86b).
  3. Do Teshuva Early (Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, citing Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 8b and Rav Itzele Peterburger).
  4. Do teshuvah during the Ten Days of Teshuvah, especially on Yom Kippur (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 2:6 & 2:7)

Additional Segulos and Methods to Obtain Forgiveness

These segulos should be undertaken in addition to teshuva.

  1. Be Maavir al Middosav (Overlook offenses and forgive others) (Yoma 23a).
  2. Answer “Amen, Yehei Shemei Rabbah” with all your Might and with Full Kavanah (Shabbos 119b).
  3. Observe Shabbos Properly (Shabbos 118b).
  4. Respond to Kaddish After a Shiur (Shochar Tov, Mishlei, Perek 10).
  5. Recite “Az Yashir” with Joy (Mishnah Berurah 51:17).
  6. Mourn the Death of a Tzaddik (Shabbos 105b).
  7. Say “Vayechulu” on Friday Night (Shabbos 119b).
  8. Recite the Seder Korbanos (Taanis 27b).
  9. Be Humble (Sotah 5b – I included it in this section, as it is considered as if one offered all the korbanos).
  10. Learn Torah Lishmah (Berachos 5a, Pirkei Avos 6, Mishlei 16:6).
  11. Wear a Tallis and Tefillin While Davening (Tur Orach Chayim 37).
  12. Cry Over Nadav and Avihu on Yom Kippur (Zohar, Vayikra 57).
  13. Sing Shira After Experiencing a Miracle (Shochar Tov, Tehillim 18).
  14. Recite the 13 Middos of Rachamim with a Minyan (Rosh Hashanah 17b).
  15. Do Chesed (Mishlei 16:6, Berachos 5a–5b, Shabbos 151b).
  16. Practice Shmiras Einayim (Guard Your Eyes) (Rabbi Daniel Glatstein’s shiur, citing Rav Elazar Nachman Puah).
  17. Recite Shema with Awe, Fear, Trepidation, and Trembling (Rabbi Daniel Glatstein’s shiur, citing Pele Yoetz 131).
  18. Go Beyond the Letter of the Law (Berachos 20b, Rav Yonasan Eybeschutz, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 130:2).
  19. Perform the Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim, Particularly for the Poor and Needy (Menachos 97a).
  20. Shed Tears on Yom Kippur (Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, citing Rav Chaim Palagi).

Segulos and Methods to Remove, Prevent, or Mitigate Harsh Judgements

  1. Accept Yisurim (Suffering) with Ahavah (Shaarei Teshuvah 4:12).
  2. Tefillah, Tzedakah, and Teshuva (Rosh Hashanah 16b, Shabbos 156b, Yerushalmi Ta’anit 2:1).
  3. Don’t Speak Lashon Hara (Chafetz Chaim).
  4. Don’t Get Angry on Rosh Hashanah (Mishnah Berurah 583:5).
  5. Remember the Exodus from Egypt (Shemos U’Magen).
  6. Go Beyond the Letter of the Law (Berachos 20b, Rav Yonasan Eybeschutz, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 130:2, Tomer Devorah, Chapter 1, “Chesed L’Avraham” ).

Segulos and Methods to Obtain Blessing or Have Tefillos Answered

  1. Bless Your Fellow Jews (Bereishis 12:3, Sotah 38b, Pele Yoetz 62 and 329).
  2. Don’t Talk During Davening (stopthetalking.org).
  3. Practice Shmiras Einayim (Guard Your Eyes) (Rabbi Daniel Glatstein’s shiur, citing Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, who heard from Rav Aharon Roth).
  4. Be Humble (Sotah 5a and 5b).
  5. Include Yourself with All of Klal Yisrael (Berachos 30a and 30b).
  6. Go Beyond the Letter of the Law (Berachos 20b).
  7. Thank Hashem for All the Good That He Does (Shaarei Teshuvah 4:12).
  8. Recite Adon Olam (Mateh Moshe).

You can find more information about these segulos, along with additional references to where they appear in seforim, on the next four pages of this website. Many of these segulos have been beautifully explained in shiurim by esteemed rabbanim, especially Rabbi Daniel Glatstein. To learn more about Rabbi Glatstein’s website and discover other excellent resources, please check out the Links page.