As the month of Tishrei approaches, many spend significant time in the synagogue, seeking to increase their merits for the coming year. A large part of this effort revolves around creating a sweet, happy, and healthy new year, and one tradition is the purchase of synagogue honors associated with high levels of “segulas” – good omens and blessings.
In many larger Jewish communities, these honors come at a premium, contributing significantly to the synagogue’s budget during this holiday season. However, many Chabad Houses, shuls, and shluchim (Chabad emissaries) around the world struggle to auction these honors, as their communities may be unaware of the spiritual benefits or simply lack the means to contribute. In some instances, small Jewish centers, whether in Russia, Australia, or small-town America, may only have a minyan of people with just $18 to their name. Nevertheless, the merit of these minyanim is no less significant than that of larger communities with hundreds of attendees, and the Maftir Yonah honor retains its powerful *segula* regardless of location.
This presents an opportunity: many of these smaller communities are eager to sell their honors for much less than what they might fetch in larger Jewish centers, but they struggle to find interested buyers.
Enter DollarDaily.org, which is paving the way with a new initiative just in time for the High Holidays. The platform will connect Chabad Houses and shluchim globally with individuals seeking to purchase synagogue honors at more accessible prices. These honors, which can carry blessings for children, parnassa (livelihood), and other life needs, will now be available for bidding or outright purchase on a simple online platform.
Last year, DollarDaily.org founder Yosef Shidler tested the idea on a small scale. He posted about it on WhatsApp and within 48 hours, nearly 60 different Chabad centers connected with 60 individuals who purchased honors like Chosson Torah and Chosson B’reishis. One participant shared that $500 from a Chosson Torah sale enabled their Chabad House to cover its holiday expenses, which otherwise seemed impossible.
A common misconception is that these honors can only be purchased by men or by individuals present in the community. In reality, the spiritual blessings tied to these honors are equally valid whether purchased remotely or in person. While some may prefer to receive the honor in person, buying remotely still secures the blessings and merit associated with it. Remarkably, last year, several women purchased honors, and in some cases, these spiritual merits were connected to reports of successful shidduchim (marriages) within the year.
One inspiring story involved a woman who purchased a Chosson Torah honor on behalf of her daughter from a shliach in New Jersey. Within two months, her child, who had been struggling to find a match for many years, became engaged. The shliach was so moved by the results that he decided to reserve the honor for his own children the following year.
Yosef Shidler’s own experience with the power of buying aliyahs dates back over 12 years when he purchased Chosson Torah from a shliach while seeking a shidduch. After slowly paying off the $770 over the course of a year, Shidler was introduced to his wife just two days after completing the final payment.
The new platform will allow users to either bid or purchase synagogue honors directly, depending on the shliach’s preference, similar to eBay. It is set to launch at the beginning of the Tishrei season, and there has already been substantial interest. Chabad rabbis will be able to list honors such as Maftir Yonah, P’sicha of Neilah, Chosson Torah, Chosson B’reishis, Kol Nidrei and First Torah, and buyers can browse and make purchases knowing they are supporting a vital cause.
Payments are made directly between buyer and shliach, with no credit cards required, and payment arrangements can be made as necessary, just as in a synagogue. In case of forfeiture, the next highest bidder will have the opportunity to claim the honor.
Last year, the project was poised for a grand press release after Simchas Torah, but the tragic events of October 7th took precedence in the news cycle. As we launch this initiative for the coming year, we hope it will bring renewed blessings and merits to the Jewish nation, ushering in the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.
For more information or to contribute to the project’s setup costs, please reach out to DollarDaily. Shluchim will be encouraged to tip back to the platform if possible, but it is not required. All funds will go directly to the essential work of DollarDaily.org supporting the Rebbe’s shluchim around the world.
For further information or to share ideas about the project, contact DollarDaily at [email protected], or reach out via WhatsApp on DollarDaily.org. The new platform is funded entirely by donations, with no charge to either buyer or seller.
