English translation — חלק משיחת י״ט בהא ה׳תשמ״ז

- about the caution in guarding the woman giving birth

(and also)

in the hospital -

It is known and famous, the custom of Israel from time immemorial — "The custom of Israel is Torah"² — to hang in the house of a woman who has given birth³ notes

(or amulets)

with names and verses,

"Song of Ascents",

and the like

(in each place according to its custom)

As a segulah for protection etc. for the mother and the newborn,

Both regarding the birth itself,

That it should be proper and easy⁴,

And also regarding the days after the birth⁵,

For length of days and good years.

And another essential matter regarding the newborn — that immediately upon emerging into the air of the world he should be surrounded with matters of holiness,

As is known, things that an infant, even one day old*, sees and hears have

an influence also in his adulthood

(And until it was revealed in later generations also in psychology)

And therefore,

When one surrounds him with matters of holiness etc.,

this adds blessing and success that they should merit to raise him and raise her "to Torah⁸ and to chuppah and to good deeds".

And in this matter,

It is necessary to note and to arouse regarding a matter that requires correction in connection with the conduct of these days,

as follows.

In generations before us, women gave birth in their homes

(with the assistance of the midwife)

and consequently,

everyone practiced and was meticulous at the time of childbirth

(starting from the preparations for childbirth)

regarding the aforementioned custom.

However,

in our times,

for medical reasons, women give birth specifically in the hospital,

and consequently,

no attention is paid

From Shaarei Dura, end of Hilchos Niddah

(section 23)

Rokeach and Kol Bo, Hilchos Niddah.

And see Shach, Yoreh De'ah there)

19 Kislev - concerning the caution in guarding the parturient

47 and

to be careful about the aforementioned custom,

but if,

after the woman who gave birth and the newborn return from the hospital to their home

(a few days after the birth)

At the same time that the above-mentioned conduct is even more important at the time and in proximity to the birth itself

(simply)

since then they are in the hospital.

Therefore,

it is a mitzvah to awaken in every place that even when the mother and child are in the hospital,

One should endeavor to hang in the room of the woman giving birth and in the room of the newborn

(or on the bed and the like)

"Shir HaMaalos" and so on,

including the details of the customs in this regard,

as is customary in the home,

and on the contrary,

when they are in the hospital,

at the time and close to labor,

The matter is more relevant,

As above.

And everywhere — regarding the question of a Rav whether a vessel within a vessel is needed, etc.

And regarding obtaining a license from the hospital administration — indeed,

with the most minimal effort,

they will certainly receive the license without any opposition,

and on the contrary — with a full mouth and with joy:

Also according to the wisdom of medicine — indeed,

the success of the medical treatment is connected

(to a significant degree)

also to the mental state of the patient,

therefore,

they strive to remove from his heart worries and doubts, etc.,

to bring him peace of mind,

and the best possible mood.

And so on and so forth regarding the matter of birth — that is relevant and essential

(both for the mother and for the child)

the state of mind,

the removal of the clear fear,

and the complete rest of the soul.

Therefore,

when they explain to the doctor,

to the management of the hospital,

and so forth,

that the notes of "Shir HaMaalos" and so forth that are hung in the room of the parturient calm and uplift her spirit

(since she truly believes in the protective merit, etc.)

— surely there will be no opposition from them,

and on the contrary,

they will agree

happily to give permission to hang these notes,

in order to fulfill the wish of the parturient,

That she should be calm,

And in a state of mental rest.

Furthermore,

But rather, this matter is also for the benefit of the doctor:

A good and true doctor — the condition of the patient matters to him,

and consequently,

When there is a complication,

weakness, etc., in the condition,

This confuses the spirit of the physician,

and causes him a lack of mental calm, etc.

Therefore,

the physician also desires that the patient be in a state of complete mental calm,

since then,

he too

(the physician)

is more relaxed,

And consequently,

he can engage in medical treatment in a better manner,

with greater strength and vigor.

And so it is in our case,

that when they hang the notes of "Shir HaMaalos" which calm the spirit of the woman in childbirth — behold,

the treating doctor also becomes calmer

(regardless of whether he is Jewish or not Jewish,

believes in religious matters or does not believe, etc.)

And consequently,

The medical treatment is more successful.

And regarding the practical application:

It is fitting and proper to publicize in every place where Jews reside about the custom of hanging "Shir HaMaalot" in the room of the mother and child,

the matter of protection and segula in this, etc.

(as above at length)

And with emphasis — that one should endeavor to fulfill this custom immediately upon the mother's arrival at the hospital,

at the time of preparation for childbirth,

and all the more so during the actual birth,

and also after the birth,

including also — the effort to obtain permission from the hospital administration,

through appropriate explanation

(as above)

From words that come from the heart²',

that will surely have their effect.

48 and

Sefer HaSichos - 5747

And it should be added,

that all that has been said applies not only in a large city where there are many Jews,

and consequently,

Also in hospitals there are many Jewish women giving birth,

But even in a small city,

And in a hospital that has only one Jewish woman giving birth³ — there too they need and can do and act in this

(And especially since in most hospitals there are several Jewish women giving birth)

And may it be His will that through the increase and multiplication of the birth of sons and daughters in Israel — both in quantity,

and in quality,

In the ultimate safeguarding, etc.—the coming of Ben David will also be hastened most of all,

As our Sages of blessed memory said:* "Ben David will not come until all the souls in the body are exhausted,"

"a treasury called the body"¹⁵.

And as is hinted in the weekly Torah portion⁶—the birth of Perez,

which also hints at the word "peretzah" in number

the sons and daughters in its simple sense,

and from his seed comes King Moshiach

("These are the generations of Perez."

"and Yishai begot David"⁷)

"the breaker came up before them"¹¹".

So it will be for us — that we are going soon actually to greet our righteous Moshiach,

"in our youths

(and afterwards)

and in our elders, etc., in our sons and in our daughters"",

And in a manner that "they recognized him at first"²⁰,

"As in the days of your exodus from the land of Egypt"²¹,

And similarly,

(And even more so — in a manner of "I will show him wonders"²²)

in the future redemption,

speedily in our actual days.

Sefer HaSichos - 5747