Segulos for having a boy

Segulos for having a boy:[1]

There are several Segulos recorded in Chazal and Sefarim for the bearing of male children. The following are some of the Segulos that are recorded:

1. Being careful in the laws of Nidah.[2]
2. Being careful in Hafrashas Challah.[3]
3. Being careful in lighting the Shabbos candles.[4]
4. Sanctification:[5] One who sanctifies himself during intercourse will have male children, as the verse states Vehiskadashtem Vihayisem Kedoshim, and then states in the next Parsha “Isha Ki Sazria.”
5. Do the will of wife and G-d:[6] One who desires male children is to do the will of G-d and the will of his wife. He is to do the will of G-d by dispersing charity and do the will of his wife by rejoicing with her during the intercourse.
6. Placing the bed from North to South:[7] In addition to the Halachic obligation[8], placing the bed from North to South [is a Segula] for having male children.
7. Giving seed first:[9] One who remains a long time on his wife’s stomach [during intimacy[10]] in order so she gives seed first, merits to have male children, as if the wife gives seed first a male child is born.
8. Repetition:[11] Having intercourse twice in a row [in close approximation[12]], merits having male children.[13]
9. Beautification:[14] Having intercourse with one’s wife if she beautifies herself for her husband, and tries to appease him for the sake of getting his attention and affection [of intimacy], merits one to have male children who are wise and righteous.
10. Charity: Giving charity prior to intimacy is a Segula for having male children.[15] Giving charity daily, prior to Davening is also a Segula for having male children.[16]
11. Ahavas Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael:[17] Fulfilling the Mitzvah of Ahavas Hashem, Ahavas Yisrael, and Ahavas Hatorah,  is a Segula for having male children.
12. Hachanasas Orchim:[18] Performing the Mitzvah of Hachanasas Orchim with a good and happy heart is a Segula for having male children.

[1] See Menoras Hamaro Ner Gimel Kelal Vav 2:3; Sh’lah Hakadosh Shaar Ha’osyos Erech Kedusha 415; Shulchan Menachem 6:6; Sefer Segulas Avraham Erech Banim for a compilation of tens of Segulos from various Sefarim

[2] Midrash Raba Tazria 14

[3] Midrash Raba Mishpatim 31

[4] Shabbos 23b

[5] Shavuos 18b; Yalkut Shimoni 547; Reishis Chochma 16:2; Ramban in Igeres Hakodesh 6 “When you act in the ways that I have instructed you, I am your guarantor that you will have children who are Tzadikim, Chassidim, and sanctify the name of heaven”; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kesef Chulya Gimel 7:22

[6] Bava Basra 10b; Miseches Kallah, brought in Tur 240

[7] Rebbe Chama Bar Rebbe Chanina in Brachos 5a in the name of Rebbe Yitzchak; Levush 240:17; Olas Tamid 3:6; This is based on the verse “And in the North their stomach will be filled and they will be satisfied with male offspring.” [Psalms 17:14; brought in Brachos ibid] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 240 footnote 235; Sheyikadesh Atzmo 28:1; See however Igeres Hakodesh of the Ramban Chapter 3 who interprets this statement to be not literal, as certainly the position of the bed does not affect male childbirth and rather it refers to other aspects

[8] See Admur Kama 3:9-10; Michaber 3:6; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kesef 4:2 Part 2; Taharas Yisrael 240:89; Sheyikadesh Atzmo [Nachmanson-2015] p. 328-334

[9] Niddah 31b and 71a, brought in M”A 240:21; Brachos 60a; Midrash Raba Tazria 14; Taz E.H. 25:1; Tur 240:8 and E.H. 25:3; Sh’lah Hakadosh Shaar Ha’osyos Erech Kedusha 415; Sefer Gematriyos Rebbe Yehuda Hachassid Likkutim 8; Aruch Laner Niddah 71a; Sheyikadesh Atzmo [Nachmanson-2015] p.  481; See Torah Or Toldos p. 34

[10] See wording in Niddah ibid and ibid “waiting in her stomach” and Rashi Niddah ibid who implies that the entire discussion of the Gemara is while has already penetrated her; However, see wording in Tur 240 in name of Raavad “waiting on her stomach” and Chidushei Chasam Sofer on Niddah ibid who implies that the “Mazria Techila:[climax?]” is taking place prior to penetration. Vetzaruch Iyun. See Sheyikadesh Atzmo 48 footnote 1; See Torah Lishma 504 and Ben Yehoyada Niddah 13a and Rav Poalim 1 Sod Yeshatim 9 from whom it is clear that he did not learn this Gemara to be referring to before the intercourse.

[11] Tur O.C. 240:4 and E.H. 25:8; Bach 240:4; Elya Raba 240:10; Atzei Arazim 25:1; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kasef Chulya Gimel 7:3; Niddah 31b; Eiruvin 100b; Sh’lah Hakadosh Shaar Ha’osyos Erech Kedusha 416; Sheyikadesh Atzmo [Nachmanson-2015] p.  551

[12] Ezer Mikodesh E.H. 76:1 “Right away”; Implication of Rishonim in next footnote [See reason in next footnote that the entire reason for this is because the wife is still]

[13] The reason: As in such a case she is already aroused from the first intercourse and will give seed first and since her seed will precede his seed, therefore a male will be born. [Rashi Eiruvin and Niddah ibid; Rabbeinu Yehonason on Rifibid]

[14] M”A 240:14; Tur 240:4; Chesed Lealafim 240:2; Kitzur SHU”A 150:8; Eiruvin and Nedarim ibid “More righteous even than the generation of Moshe”; Eiruvin ibid “Children who are sages, as occurred from the union with Leah when she went to entice Yaakov and had Yissachar”; See also Bava Basra 10b and Rabbeinu Gershom there regarding having male children when he rejoices her outside of her Onah; See Meiri Eiruvin 100b that this only applies if she intends to do so for the sake of a Mitzvah, such as having children, as was the intent of Leah;

[15] Sefer Zechira

[16] Igros Kodesh 7:51

[17] Igros Kodesh 7:51

[18] Igros Kodesh 19:333