Chavakuk Hanavi ben Isha Hashunamis zt"l
הרב חבקוק זצ"ל
Elul 24 , 0
Chavakuk Hanavi ben Isha Hashunamis zt"l
The Zohar (Beshalach 44a) teaches us that Chabakuk was the son of the Shunamite that Elisha HaNavi revived him from death see Melachim II 4:16-17, 32-35.
The Gemara in Makkos 23b-24a teaches us that Rabbi Simlai taught: There were 613 mitzvos given to Moshe in the Torah, consisting of 365 negative transgressions that correspond to the number of days in the solar year, and 248 positive mitzvos corresponding to the number of a person’s limbs. Rav Hamnuna said: What is the pasuk that hints at this? It is written: “Moshe commanded to us the Torah, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaacov” (Devarim 33:4). The word Torah, in terms of its numerical value [gematria] is 611 plus the two we heard directly from Hashem equals 613. . . Chabakuk came and established the 613 mitzvos upon one foundation, as it is says in the pasuk: “But the righteous person shall live by his faith” (Chabakuk 2:4).
In Sotah 49a we learn: If it were not for the prayer of Habakkuk, two Torah scholars would have to cover themselves with a single cloak (Rashi due to poverty) and engage in Torah study dressed that way, as it is stated: “Lord, I heard Your report and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years” (Habakkuk 3:2).
His tzion on Route 65 is close to Rabbeinu Bechaya in Kadarim, Israel
Melachim II 4:16-35
16 And Elisha said, “At this season next year, you will be embracing [chovekes - hugging like the name Chabakuk (Zohar BeShalach 44b)] a son.” She replied, “Please, my lord, man of God, do not delude your maidservant.”
17The woman conceived and bore a son at the same season the following year, as Elisha had assured her.
18The child grew up. One day, he went out to his father among the reapers.
19[Suddenly] he cried to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” He said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”
20He picked him up and brought him to his mother. And the child sat on her lap until noon; and he died.
21She took him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and left him and closed the door.
22Then she called to her husband: “Please, send me one of the servants and one of the she-asses, so I can hurry to the man of God and back.”
23But he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” She answered, b“It’s all right.”-b
24She had the ass saddled, and said to her servant, “Urge [the beast] on;c see that I don’t slow down unless I tell you.”
25She went on until she came to the man of God on Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her from afar, he said to his servant Gehazi, “There is that Shunammite woman.
26Go, hurry toward her and ask her, ‘How are you? How is your husband? How is the child?’” “We are well,” she replied.
27But when she came up to the man of God on the mountain, she clasped his feet. Gehazi stepped forward to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”
28Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say: ‘Don’t mislead me’?”
29He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your skirts, take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. And place my staff on the face of the boy.”
30But the boy’s mother said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you!” So he arose and followed her.
31Gehazi had gone on before them and had placed the staff on the boy’s face; but there was no sound or response. He turned back to meet him and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”
32Elisha came into the house, and there was the boy, laid out dead on his couch.
33He went in, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.
34Then he mounted [the bed] and placed himself over the child [The Zohar (BeShalach 44b-45a) says that this hug or embrace was the second hint at Chabakuk's name] . He put his mouth on its mouth, his eyes on its eyes, and his hands on its hands, as he bent over it. And the body of the child became warm.
35He stepped down, walked once up and down the room, then mounted and bent over him. Thereupon, the boy sneezed seven times, and the boy opened his eyes.
36[Elisha] called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman,” and he called her. When she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”
37She came and fell at his feet and bowed low to the ground; then she picked up her son and left.
Segulos of Chavakuk Hanavi ben Isha Hashunamis zt"l
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov teaches in Sefer HaMiddos that it is a segulah if “Someone whose mind is confused should frequently say the prayer of Habakuk”
Many have the custom to recite it on Yom Kippur.