Prayer and Blessings
Reading Song of Songs
Question
Shalom. I heard that Song of Songs has wondrous powers. One of them is that someone who reads Song of Songs for 40 days will find their match on the 40th day. After searching online, I found several websites with instructions on how to read it. Some say it must be read at the same hour every day, while being careful about especially modest clothing (but what about secular Jews? Are we also obligated to wear socks up to the knee, etc.?), and that it must be said sitting in the same chair with the same jacket ... Some articles say it must be read specifically standing. I also read that someone who stops or misses a day may cause a delay in marriage—is that true? And that it is forbidden in any case to stop in the middle while reading. What does in the middle mean? In the middle of a verse? In the middle of a chapter? It sounds absurd to me that one cannot stop in the middle of a chapter; otherwise, how would teachers teach Song of Songs if it were not possible to stop the chapter? Or is it simply not possible because here the intention is for a segulah and not for study? I have a whole confusion about this subject and would be glad if you could answer my questions. And one last thing: I am young and do not intend to get married in the next 4 years. Is it still worthwhile for me to read Song of Songs for the purpose of finding a match, or should I wait?
Answer
Shalom and blessings.
All these instructions are not correct. It is permitted to read it every day in a different place, and one may read sitting or standing, with a jacket or without one.
When studying Song of Songs, there is no need to learn it all in one continuous stretch. However, when saying it as a segulah, the effect will be stronger when saying it without interruption, though there is also great merit in reading it even if one pauses between chapters.
One may not stop in the middle of a verse, and one should complete it before wanting to speak.
As for modesty, the mitzvot are for all Jews, and there is no difference between one who calls himself secular, religious, or haredi, or any other label. The mitzvot are equal for everyone, and therefore all Jewish women are obligated to dress modestly as required.
However, women may read Song of Songs or anything else even when they are not dressed modestly as required, {of course when there are no strangers in the house, and there is no prohibition regarding the laws of modesty for Jewish women}.
You may read Song of Songs even when you are young, and its segulah is great to awaken your love for the Creator of the world.
With blessings - Binyamin Shmueli
