Order of Prayers for the Chanukiah

Order of Prayers for the Chanukiah

Before lighting the Chanukah candles, a special prayer composed by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, author of “Bnei Yissachar,” is recited: “Le-Shem Yichud Kudsha Berich Hu u-Shechintei bi-Dechilu u-Rechimu, Rechimu u-Dechilu, le-Yichuda Shem ‘Yud,’ ‘Keh,’ ve-‘Vav,’ ‘Keh’ be-Yichuda Shalem, be-Shem Kol Yisrael, Hineni mechaven be-hadlak’at Ner Chanukah lekayem mitzvat Borei, ka-asher tzivanu Chachameinu, zichronam livrachah, letaken et shorshah ba-Makom Elyon. Uvechen yehi ratzon milfanecha Ha-Shem Eloheinu ve-Elohei Avoteinu, she-tehei chashuvah u-mekubelet u-merutzah lefanecha mitzvat hadlakat ner Chanukah, ke-ilu kivanti kol ha-kavanot she-kivnu ha-Kohanim meshartei Ha-Shem be-et asher he’eviru la-mavet nafsham bishvil kevod Shimcha ha-Gadol, ha-Gibor ve-ha-Nora. Ve-Atah be-Rachamecha ha-rabim orarta Netzach nitzchachem aleihem lenatze’ach oyeveihem u-lenatze’ach al melechet Beit Ha-Shem, ve-hineni oseh al da’atam ve-al kavanotam, ve-al da’at kol ha-Tzadikim ve-ha-Chasidim she-hayu be-oto ha-dor, she-shafat ha-lahem nisecha ve-zachu le-or be-or ha-Chaim, ve-al da’at kol ha-Tzadikim ve-ha-Chasidim she-be-doroteinu, ufi kefi’el ve-asiti ke-asiyatam, u-vizchut ha-mitzvah ha-zot tezakeinu lenatze’ach oyeveinu u-lenatze’ach al melechet Beit Ha-Shem, ve-galeh kevod malchutecha aleinu meherah ve-lo yamush ha-Torah mi-pinu, u-mi-pi zar’einu, u-mi-pi zera zar’einu me-atah ve-ad olam, ve-nizkeh levanim talmidei chachamim, amen ken yehi ratzon. Kadsheinu be-mitzvotecha ve-ten chelkeinu be-Toratecha, sab’einu mi-tuvecha ve-samach nafsheinu bi-shuatecha, ve-ta’er libeinu le-ovdecha be-emet. Ve-loch al kol ha-olam kulo bi-chvodecha, ve-tinaseh al kol ha-aretz bi-yikarecha, ve-rofa be-hadar ge’on uzecha al kol yoshvei teivelecha, ve-yeda kol be’ul ki Atah ve-alto, ve-yavin kol yetzur ki Atah yotzro. Ve-yomar kol asher neshamah be-apo, Ha-Shem Elohei Yisrael Melech u-malchuto ba-kol mashalah, Amen Netzach Sela va-ed! Translation In the name of the unification of the Holy One, blessed be He, and His Shechinah, with awe and love, with love and awe, uniting the Name “Yud-Keh” with the Name “Vav-Keh” in perfect unity, on behalf of all Israel. As I light the Chanukah candle, I intend to fulfill the mitzvah of my Creator, as ordained by our Sages of blessed memory, in order to rectify its supernal root. May it be Your will, Ha-Shem, our G-d and the G-d of our fathers, that the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah candle be precious, acceptable, and pleasing before You, as though I had all the same kavanot as the kohanim, the servants of the Creator, when they sacrificed their lives for the glory of Your Name—the Great, Mighty, and Awesome. And You, through Your abundant mercy, awakened Your attribute of Netzach to overcome all their enemies and enable them to complete the construction of the House of G-d. Behold, I will strive to act according to their understanding, and according to the understanding of all the righteous and pious people of that generation, when they merited Your miracle and the light of life. And likewise, according to the understanding of the righteous and pious of our generation. May my words be like their words, and my deeds like their deeds. And in the merit of this mitzvah, may You grant us victory over our enemies and enable us to rebuild the House of G-d! Reveal to us the glory of Your kingdom, and may the Torah never depart from our mouths, nor from the mouths of our children and our children’s children! Reign over the entire world in Your glory, and be exalted over the whole earth in Your majesty; reveal the might of Your power over all who dwell in the world! Then every created being will know that You are its Creator. And every creature will understand that You are its Maker. And everyone who has the breath of life will say: “Ha-Shem, the G-d of Israel, is King, and His sovereignty is everlasting!” Amen! Netzach Sela va-ed. [After this prayer, the blessings preceding the lighting of the Chanukah candles are recited.] Blessing for Lighting the Chanukah Candles בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶל חֲנֻכָּה “Baruch Atah Ha-Shem Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, Asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivanu le-hadlik Ner Chanukah.” (Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our G-d, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.) (Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner says that at the moment we say “Kideshanu be-mitzvotav”, the gates of Gan Eden open, and many blessings pour down upon us from there.) (From a lesson by Marina Fain) Blessing for the Miracle: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה “Baruch Atah Ha-Shem Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, She-asah nisim la-avoteinu, ba-yamim ha-hem ba-zman ha-zeh.” (Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our G-d, King of the universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time.) Blessing for the Season: [This blessing is recited only on the first evening.] בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶּה “Baruch Atah Ha-Shem Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, Shehecheyanu ve-kiyemanu ve-higiyanu la-zman ha-zeh.” (Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this time.) [After lighting the candles, recite:] “Ha-nerot halalu anachnu madlikim—al ha-nisim, ve-al ha-teshuot, ve-al ha-niflaot, she-asita la-avoteinu al yedei kohanecha ha-kedoshim. Ve-chol shemonat yemei Chanukah ha-nerot halalu kodesh, ve-ein lanu reshut le-hishtamesh ba-hem, ela lir’otam bilvad, kedei lehodot li-Shmecha al nisecha nifl’otecha u-teshu’otecha.” (We kindle these candles in remembrance of the miracles, the salvations, and the wonders that You performed for our ancestors through Your holy kohanim. Throughout all eight days of Chanukah, these candles are sacred, and we have no permission to use their light, but only to look at them, in order to give thanks and praise to Your Name for Your miracles, wonders, and salvation.)   A special prayer of the Ari Ha-Kadosh for drawing down the primordial Light טרם שנאצלו הנאצלים ונבראו הנבראים היה אור אין סוף ממלא כל המציאות “Terem she-ne’atzlu ha-ne’atzalim ve-nivra’u ha-nivra’im, hayah Or Ein Sof memale kol ha-metziut”— (Before the emanated beings were emanated and the created beings were created, the light of Ein Sof filled all existence.) (“Etz Chaim,” Sha’ar Alef, section 2) A special segula is to recite a pasuk from Tehillim for protection from fears and doubts, with complete trust in the Kadosh Baruch Hu, to draw down happiness, as promised in the pasuk itself. “Ha-Shem Tzevaot, ashrei adam bote’ach Bach” —(G-d of Hosts, fortunate is the person who trusts in You.) (Tehillim 84:13) Now read eight chapters of Tehillim, corresponding to the eight days of Chanukah: 91, 30, 33, 67, 19, 100, 133, 80—concluding with the prayer “Ana Be-Koach.” Psalm 90—[the final line] “Vi-hi noam, Ha-Shem Eloheinu aleinu, u-ma’aseh yadeinu konenehu, u-ma’aseh yadeinu konenehu” twice (May the favor of Ha-Shem our G-d rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands.) Psalm 91—(aloud seven times and the eighth time quietly) “Yoshev be-seter Elyon, be-tzel Shaddai yitlonan. (2) Omor la-Ha-Shem machsi u-metzudati, Elohai evtach Bo. (3) Ki Hu yatzilecha mi-pach yakush, mi-dever avot. (4) Be-evrato yasech lach ve-tachat kenafav techseh, tzinah ve-socherah amito. (5) Lo tira mi-pachad laylah, me-hetz ya’uf yomam. (6) Mi-dever ba-ofel yahaloch, mi-keteb yashud tzohorayim. (7) Yipol mi-tzidcha elef u-revavah mi-minecha, elecha lo yigash. (8) Rak be-einecha tabit, ve-shilumat resha’im tir’eh. (9) Ki Atah Ha-Shem machsi, Elyon samta me’onecha. (10) Lo te’uneh elecha ra’ah, ve-nega lo yikrav be-aholecha. (11) Ki malachav yetzaveh lach, lishmorcha be-chol derachecha. (12) Al kapayim yisa’uncha, pen tigof ba-even raglecha. (13) Al shachal va-feten tidroch, tirmos kefir ve-tanin. (14) Ki vi chashak va-afaltehu, asagevehu ki yada Shemi. (15) Yikra’eni ve-e’enehu, imo Anochi ve-tzarah, achaltzehu va-achabedehu. (16) Orech yamim asbi’ehu, ve-ar’ehu bi-shuati.” Psalm 30 “Mizmor shir chanukat ha-bayit le-David. (2) Aromimcha Ha-Shem ki dilitani, ve-lo simachta oyevai li. (3) Ha-Shem Elohai, shivati Elecha va-tirpa’eni. (4) Ha-Shem he’elita min Sheol nafshi, chiyitani mi-yordi vor. (5) Zameru la-Ha-Shem chasידav, ve-hodu le-zecher kodsho. (6) Ki rega be-apo chayim bi-rtzono, ba-erev yalin bechi, ve-la-boker rinah. (7) Va-ani amarti ve-shalvi, bal emot le-olam. (8) Ha-Shem bi-rtzoncha he-emadta le-hareri oz, histarta fanecha hayiti nivhal. (9) Elecha Ha-Shem ekra, ve-el Ha-Shem etchanan. (10) Mah betza be-dami be-ridti el shachat, ha-yodecha afar ha-yagid amitecha. (11) Shema Ha-Shem ve-choneni, Ha-Shem heyeh ozer li. (12) Hafachta mispedi le-machol li, pitachta saki va-te’azreni simchah. (13) Lema’an yezamercha chavod ve-lo yidom, Ha-Shem Elohai le-olam odeka.” Psalm 33 “Ranenu tzadikim ba-Ha-Shem, la-yesharim navah tehilah. (2) Hodu la-Ha-Shem be-chinor, be-nevel asor zamru Lo. (3) Shiru Lo shir chadash, heitivu nagen bi-teru’ah. (4) Ki yashar devar Ha-Shem, ve-chol ma’asehu be-emunah. (5) Ohev tzedakah u-mishpat, chesed Ha-Shem male’ah ha-aretz. (6) Bi-dvar Ha-Shem shamayim na’asu, u-ve-ruach Piv kol tzva’am. (7) Kones ka-ned mei ha-yam, noten be-otzarot tehomot. (8) Yire’u me-Ha-Shem kol ha-aretz, mimenu yaguru kol yoshvei tevel. (9) Ki Hu amar va-yehi, Hu tzivah va-ya’amod. (10) Ha-Shem hefir atzat goyim, heni machshevot amim. (11) Atzat Ha-Shem le-olam ta’amod, machshevot Libo le-dor va-dor. (12) Ashrei ha-goy asher Ha-Shem Elohav, ha-am bachar le-nachalah Lo. (13) Mi-shamayim hibit Ha-Shem, ra’ah et kol bnei ha-adam. (14) Mi-mechon shevto hishgiach el kol yoshvei ha-aretz. (15) Ha-yotzer yachad libam, ha-mevin el kol ma’aseihem. (16) Ein ha-melech nosha be-rov chayil, gibor lo yinatzel be-rov koach. (17) Sheker ha-sus li-shu’ah, u-ve-rov cheilo lo yemalet. (18) Hineh ein Ha-Shem el yerei’av, la-meyachalim le-chasdo. (19) Le-hatzil mi-mavet nafsham, u-le-chayotam ba-ra’av. (20) Nafshenu chiktah la-Ha-Shem, ezreinu u-magineinu Hu. (21) Ki Vo yismach libenu, ki ve-Shem kodsho vatachnu. (22) Yehi chasdecha Ha-Shem aleinu, ka-asher yichalnu Lach.” Psalm 67 (visualize it in the form of a Menorah—it appears in Sephardic siddurim in the shape of a Menorah) “Lamnatze’ach bi-nginot mizmor shir. (2) Elohim yechoneinu vi-varecheinu, ya’er Panav itanu selah. (3) La-da’at ba-aretz darkecha, be-chol goyim yeshu’atecha. (4) Yoducha amim Elohim, yoducha amim kulam. (5) Yismechu vi-ranenu le’umim, ki tishpot amim mishor, u-le’umim ba-aretz tanchem selah. (6) Yoducha amim Elohim, yoducha amim kulam. (7) Eretz natnah yevulah, yevarecheinu Elohim Eloheinu. (8) Yevarecheinu Elohim, ve-yir’u Oto kol afsei aretz.” Psalm 19 “Lamnatze’ach mizmor le-David. (2) Ha-shamayim mesaprim kevod El, u-ma’aseh Yadav magid ha-rakia. (3) Yom le-yom yabi’a omer, ve-laylah le-laylah yechaveh da’at. (4) Ein omer ve-ein devarim, beli nishma kolam. (5) Be-chol ha-aretz yatza kavvam u-vi-ketzeh tevel mileihem, la-shemesh sam ohel ba-hem. (6) Ve-Hu ke-chatan yotzei me-chupato, yasis ke-gibor larutz orach. (7) Mi-ketzeh ha-shamayim motzao u-tequfato al ketzotam, ve-ein nistar me-chamato. (8) Torat Ha-Shem temimah, meshivat nafesh; edut Ha-Shem ne’emanah, machkimat peti. (9) Pikudei Ha-Shem yesharim, mesamchei lev; mitzvat Ha-Shem barah, me’irat einayim. (10) Yir’at Ha-Shem tehorah, omedet la-ad; mishpetei Ha-Shem emet, tzadku yachdav. (11) Ha-nechemadim mi-zahav u-mi-paz rav, u-metukim mi-devash ve-nofet tzufim. (12) Gam avdecha nizhar ba-hem, be-shomram ek שav rav. (13) Shegi’ot mi yavin, mi-nistarot nakenי. (14) Gam mi-zedim chasoch avdecha, al yimshלו vi; az eitam ve-eniketi mi-pesha rav. (15) Yihyu le-ratzon imrei פי ve-hegיון libi lefanecha, Ha-Shem tzuri ve-go’ali.” Psalm 100 (the Psalm of Thanksgiving) “Mizmor le-todah, hari’u la-Ha-Shem kol ha-aretz. (2) Ivdu et Ha-Shem be-simchah, bo’u lefanav bi-rנanah. (3) De’u ki Ha-Shem Hu Elohim, Hu asanu ve-lo anachnu, amo ve-tzon mar’ito. (4) Bo’u she’arav be-todah, chatzerotav bi-tehilah; hodu Lo, barechu Shemo. (5) Ki tov Ha-Shem, le-olam chasdo, ve-ad dor va-dor emunato.” Psalm 133 “Shir ha-ma’alot le-David. Hineh mah tov u-mah na’im, shevet achim gam yachad. (2) Ka-shemen ha-tov al ha-rosh, yored al ha-zakan, zekan Aharon, she-yored al פי midotav. (3) Ke-tal Chermon she-yored al harerei Tziyon, ki sham tzivah Ha-Shem et ha-berachah, chayim ad ha-olam.” Psalm 80 “Lamnatze’ach el shoshanim, edut le-Asaf mizmor. (2) Ro’eh Yisrael, ha-azinah, noheg ka-tzon Yosef, yoshev ha-keruvim, hofiah. (3) Lifnei Efrayim u-Vinyamin u-Menasheh, orerah et gevuratecha, u-lechah li-shu’atah lanu. (4) Elohim hashiveinu, ve-ha’er Panecha ve-nivvashեah. (5) Ha-Shem Elohim Tzevaot, ad matai asanta be-tfilat Amecha. (6) He’echaltam lechem dim’ah, va-tashkemo bi-dema’ot shalish. (7) Tesimeinu madon li-shcheneinu, ve-oyeveinu yil’agu lamo. (8) Elohim Tzevaot hashiveinu, ve-ha’er Panecha ve-nivvashe’ah. (9) Gefen mi-Mitzrayim tasi’a, tegaresh goyim va-tita’eha. (10) Pinita le-faneha, va-tashresh sharasheha va-temale aretz. (11) Kاسو harim tzelah, va-anafיהa arזei El. (12) Shalach ketzireha ad yam, ve-el nahar yonkotיהa. (13) Lamah paratzta gederיהa, ve-aruh kol overei darech. (14) Yecharsemנה chazir mi-ya’ar, ve-ziz sadai yir’enah. (15) Elohim Tzevaot, shuv na; habet mi-shamayim u-re’eh, u-fkod gefen zot. (16) Ve-chenah asher nat’ah Yeminecha, ve-al ben imatzta Lach. (17) Serufah va-esh kesuchah, mi-ga’arת Panecha yovedu. (18) Tehi Yadecha al ish Yeminecha, al ben adam imatzta Lach. (19) Ve-lo nasוג mimecha, techayenu u-ve-Shimcha nikra. (20) Ha-Shem Elohim Tzevaot, hashiveinu, ha’er Panecha ve-nivvashe’ah.” “Ana Be-Koach” Prayer seven times—(it is important to look at the first letters of the words in Hebrew) אב׳׳ג ית׳׳ץ—Ana Be-Koach Gedulat Yemincha Tatir Tzerurah! קר׳׳ע שט׳׳ן—Kabel Rinat Amcha, Sagveinu Tahareinu, Nora! נג׳׳ד יכ׳׳ש—Na Gibor, Dorshei Yichudcha, Ke-vashemen Shomrem! בט׳׳ר צת׳׳ג—Barchem Taharem, Rachamei Tzidkatecha Tamid Gomlem! חק׳׳ב טנ׳׳ע—Chasin Kadosh, be-Rov Tuvcha, Nahel Adatךa! יג׳׳ל פז׳׳ק—Yachid, Ge’eh, Le-amecha Pneh, Zochrei Kedushatecha! שק׳׳ו צי׳׳ת—Shav’atנו Kabel u-Shema Tza’akateinu, Yode’a Ta’alumot! whispered: (Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto le-olam va-ed) Concluding Prayer: Ribono shel Olam, re’eh otanu be-ayin tovah, ha’er Panecha ve-nivvashe’ah, asinu kol minei ta’uyot, aval shum ta’ut einah mashpi’ah al ahavah Elokit. Yehi ratzon milfanecha she-nizkeh ba-Chanukah lir’ot penei Mashiach, Amen! Translation: Master of the Universe, look upon us favorably; shine the light of Your countenance upon us and save us. We have made mistakes, but no mistake can affect Divine love. May it be Your will that during this Chanukah we merit seeing the face of Mashiach. Amen!   To download the order of prayers, click here: Seder Tefillot Chanukah (Based on a lesson by Anat Ben Ari) Segulot and Kavanot while lighting the Chanukah candles: 40 Segulot and Kavanot for Chanukah