What exactly does the word Segulah mean?

Log in / Sign Up

List of Forums + New Post Recipe Box Usergroups Following My Posts Bookmarks

Private Messages Advanced Search Rules New User Guide FAQ Advertise Contact Us

Forum -> Judaism

View latest: 24h 48h 72h

chocolate moose

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 12:45 pm

I know what a segulah is, of course, but what is the literal meaning of the word; does it mean treasure?

yersp

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 12:56 pm

The way I can explain it is, if you believe in it, then it will work. If you want something to happen or not happen, for example: to not have an ayin horah, a person would wear a red string. It would usually work only if you believe in an ayin horah. The red string is meant as a segulah to not have an ayin horah. Do you understand what I mean? The same thing with biting off the pitum of an esrog. If you believe in it, then this is a "segulah" to have an easy labor and delivery. Remember, segulahs work ONLY if you believe in it. I hope I made it clear.

chocolate moose

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 1:01 pm

No...that's not what I mean.

What does the Hebrew word mean?

yersp

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 1:03 pm

That I don't know, but I will do my best to find out for you!!

chen

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 2:39 pm

got it in one, sarag--it means "treasure" as in "am seguloh"--a treasured nation. That is, a treasure not in the sense of a monetary value, which would be "otzor"--but in the sense of something that is cherished. Like your children.

chocolate moose

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 3:15 pm

Oh....

I was thinking that a treasure was like a shortcut ........

chen

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 3:22 pm

SaraG wrote:

Oh....

I was thinking that a treasure was like a shortcut ........

chocolate moose

Mon, Oct 16 2006, 3:30 pm

You know - buying the knife Erev R.H. as a segulah for parnossah; baking the shlilssel challah as a segulah for parnmossah, eating the ends of the challah as a segulag for boys/fertlity.

I don't mean isntead of working or whatever, but as an "added benefit".

Am I wrong?

chen

Tue, Oct 17 2006, 8:18 am

No, though I don't understand what shortcuts have to do with it. the term seguloh came to be applied to various amulets (kameas), pieces of parchment or paper with pesukim or blessings on them, written by a tzaddik for an individual for protection or some brocho, general or specific. This amulet was a seguloh, I.e. something to treasure, usually worn in a small pouch hung around the neck. eventually the term came to be applied to any sort of charm or formula purported to cause something good or prevent something bad.

Page 1 of 1