10 Rare Segulos from Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu

Thousands marked the yahrzeit of former Sephardi chief rabbi Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, with many visiting his kever at Har HaMenuchot to daven and recall his Torah, rulings and guidance.

Among the teachings and practices associated with Rabbi Eliyahu are several segulos he cited or recommended over the years, drawn from halachic sources, kabbalistic tradition and stories passed down by his family and talmidim.

One of the best known is the importance of melaveh malkah, the meal eaten after Shabbos. Rabbi Eliyahu taught that the meal carries spiritual and physical benefit, including strengthening the body and soul, easing sadness and anger, and serving as a segulah for an easier birth. It is also connected in tradition to the luz bone, from which the body will be rebuilt at techiyas hameisim.

Another practice concerns za’atar. According to writings attributed to the Arizal, za’atar has a special spiritual power to drive away negative forces. The importance attached to it was also seen in the conduct of Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka, who was careful that the za’atar on his table be completely clean.

Rabbi Eliyahu also emphasized the power of bikur cholim. Citing the Gemara’s teaching connected to Korach and his followers, he explained that visiting the sick has such great merit that even those facing severe judgment might be helped through the mitzvah performed on their behalf.

For good dreams, Rabbi Eliyahu recommended saying Kriyas Shema al hamitah from a siddur before going to sleep. He also said it is best to fall asleep after words of Torah, such as Zohar, Mishnayos or recorded divrei Torah.

Another daily practice he cited was saying the pesukim beginning “Vayevarech David” several times, followed by “Baruch Atah Hashem, lamdeini chukecha.” He noted that, beyond its hidden spiritual benefit, it can help complete the count of 100 daily brachos when needed.

Rabbi Eliyahu was also known to recommend reading Sefer Yonah as a segulah for an easy birth.

Before leaving on a journey, he taught that it is best to say Tefillas Haderech during Shemoneh Esrei, in the blessing of Shomea Tefillah, before setting out. This follows the idea of seeking permission and guidance from Hashem before traveling.

He also stressed preparing for Shabbos with personal effort. Based on the teachings of the Arizal, the sweat a person produces while working for Shabbos is compared to tears and is considered a segulah for the removal of sins.

Rabbi Eliyahu once said he asked the Baba Sali why his brachos were answered so quickly. The Baba Sali answered that it was in the merit of his ancestors, but later added that he guarded his mouth from lashon hara and his eyes from improper sights.

One well-known story tells of parents who brought Rabbi Eliyahu a paralyzed girl after a serious fall. He gave them leftover oil from Chanuka candles and told them to apply it to the injured area. According to the account, the girl recovered completely.