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The Complete Guide to the Segulot of Chanukah

Chanukah isn't just about commemorating a miracle from the past—it's a spiritually charged time when the gates of heaven swing wide open, and we have access to supernatural yeshuot and brachot. Here's everything you need to know about the segulot of Chanukah.

The Mystical Numerology of Chanukah

Yerushalayim and the Lights The navi says: "והיה בעת ההוא אחפש את ירושלים בנרות" - "V'haya ba'et hahi achapesh et Yerushalayim b'nerot" (At that time I will search Yerushalayim with candles). What's the connection? Yerushalayim is mentioned in Tanach 656 times. Nerot in gematria equals 656. And "achapesh" doesn't mean "search"—Hakadosh Baruch Hu says He will bring Yerushalayim to chofesh (freedom). These Chanukah lights will illuminate the geulah for us, the freedom from galut.

The 36 Angels We light 36 candles total during Chanukah. There's an astonishing hint in Yeshayah: "שרפים עומדים ממעל לו" - "Serafim omdim mima'al lo" (Serafim stand above him). Serafim are malachim standing above the 36 candles of the menorah. They come to every home, they answer Amen to the brachot, and they elevate all our tefilot and bakashot to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

Protection from Bloodshed If we add the shamashim, we light 44 candles total. Forty-four in gematria equals dam (blood). The Bnei Yissaschar teaches: One who merits to properly prepare and light nerot Chanukah will be saved from shefichat damim. The nerot Chanukah are our Iron Dome, our protective shield guarding us all year long.

The Holy Name: Nachal "Lehadlik ner Chanukah" - the acronym is nachal. What is nachal? It's a shem hakodesh that descends from the olam ha'elyon and spreads over us here in olam hazeh like a river, influencing us with an abundance of kedushah v'simchah. Nachal also means "nafshenu chiktah l'H'shem" - our soul awaits H'shem. There are no days like these when your neshamah awaits closeness to H'shem.

The Final Sealing The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh teaches: On Rosh Hashanah they wrote us in the book, on Yom Kippur and Hoshana Rabbah they sealed us—but there's another date. There's still a hand in shamayim that remains open until Chanukah. Chanukah is the chatimah ha'achronah. Chanukah comes from "chaninah"—ask for grace. Connect, do teshuvah, cleave to H'shem.

Chanukah and Mashiach Chanukah is especially mesugal for the geulah. Mashiach is an acronym: Madlikim Shmonat Yemei Chanukah. May we merit it bimheirah b'yameinu.

The Deep Spiritual Reality of Chanukah

The Revelation of Ohr HaGanuz When we light the nerot Chanukah, we're not just performing a ritual. According to the Bnei Yissaschar, at the moment of lighting, there's a revelation of the Ohr HaGanuz—the primordial light hidden away since Briyat HaOlam, the very light of Mashiach himself.

This was the light Adam HaRishon used to see from one end of the world to the other. After the chet, Hakadosh Baruch Hu hid this light and placed portions of it in three places: in the sun, in the Torah, and in the great tzaddikim who learn Torah. This explains why tzaddikim like the Baal Shem Tov, the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, and Baba Meir Abuchatzeira could see from one end of the world to the other.

Rav Pinchas Koritzer (Imrei Pinchas) teaches: "On Chanukah at the time of hadlakat nerot, the Ohr HaGanuz descends to us!" This is why we must stay close to the nerot after lighting them.

We receive this hidden light as a gift throughout all eight days of Chanukah. In the future, when Mashiach comes bimheirah b'yameinu, Hakadosh Baruch Hu will return the Ohr HaGanuz to us permanently.

The Spiritual Transformations of Chanukah Through the mitzvat ner Chanukah, incredible spiritual effects occur:

Kavod H'shem Yitbarach becomes recognized and elevated in the world
Those far from H'shem are awakened to return
We merit yirat shamayim, shalom bayit, and the ability to truly pray
Machlokot and lashon hara are nullified
Universal shalom is drawn down into the world
We draw down da'at hakadosh, which is compared to good oil—the consciousness to constantly remember Olam Haba

The Three Lines of Truth Chanukah is a time of hoda'ah v'hallel, which is the essence of the pleasure of Olam Haba. Through this we merit that H'shem illuminates us with the three lines of truth:

To pray b'emet
To learn Torah b'emet from a rav emet
To make shidduchim amitiyim

These three lines of truth illuminate all parts of speech and complete our power of speech. Through this, we merit to extend the kedushah v'simchah shel Shabbat into the six weekdays, revealing H'shem's simple unity.

The Sefirah of Hod The Chida teaches that Chanukah is connected to the eighth sefirah, Hod (inner splendor). The Vilna Gaon teaches that Hod comes from hoda'ah (gratitude). Chanukah's essence is recognizing that what we call "nature" is itself miraculous. This is why we celebrate eight days: seven for the supernatural miracle, and one to recognize that the "natural" first day was also pure Divine intervention.

Start Something New

The Kedushat Levi teaches: If you are planning to start something new, start it on Chanukah and it will be blessed b'ezrat H'shem.

The Yanuka's Essential Kavanah for Lighting

The Light of Emunah

The Yanuka teaches something critical: During these days of Chanukah, we need to know the light of emunah. A person who lights ner Chanukah without emunah loses everything. But a person who has strong emunah—who truly believes—he gains the kedushah.

Right now, we are awakening the Ohr HaGanuz, the light of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. We are bringing it down here. The more you believe in this, the more you rejoice in it, the more you connect to it—that's how it will be for you.

The Holy Name: Alef-Hei-Yud-Hei

During hadlakat nerot, you must have kavanah on the Shem Hakadosh: אהי"ה (Alef-Hei-Yud-Hei).

Keep these letters in front of your eyes and in your thoughts while lighting. Think about this Name. Have kavanah. Pray to Hakadosh Baruch Hu to pour down complete rachamim from this Holy Name—that the entire situation of Klal Yisrael should be healed, spiritually and physically.

מובא ברבנו החיד”א זצוק”ל בספרו יוס”ף בסד”ר (סימן ז) מצאתי כתוב בגנזי המקובלים “כי אם יתפלל האדם לשם אהיה אשר אהיה אשר אהיה בכל דבר שבעולם לחולה, לבנים, לחכמה, לזכירה, לפרנסה, להנצל מסער הים ומסכנת דרכים, ולכל דבר רק שיהיה טהור ויאמר בכוונה. יהי רצון מלפניך השם הגדול אהיה אשר אהיה (יכוון קבלתו כי יש בו ד אותיות אלף הא יוד הא כחו גדול פשוט ומורכב לכל דבר סודו כי אהיה מורו על סוד האלהות שהיה הוה ויהיה וזהו אהיה ר”ל אני הוא והייתי ואהיה, אני עתה והייתי לשעבר ואהיה עד סוף הכל. כל זה יכוון רק במחשבה) שתרחם עלי ותעשה (וישאל בקשתו בלשון ברור). וכן יאמר ג’ פעמים. והאריכו המקובלים בזה מאוד.

A Segulah for Everything in the World

Brought down by our master the Chida zt"l in his sefer Yosef Ometz (Siman 7):

I found written in the hidden writings of the mekubalim:

"If a person prays using the Name Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh for anything in the world – for healing, for children, for wisdom, for memory, for livelihood, to be saved from storms at sea and dangers of travel, and for anything at all – provided that he is spiritually pure and says it with proper kavanah (intention):

'May it be Your will, H'shem the Great, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (he should focus on receiving it, as it contains four letters: Alef-Heh-Yud-Heh, whose power is great, both simple and combined, for everything. Its secret is that Ehyeh indicates the secret of Divinity – that which was, is, and will be. This is Ehyeh, meaning: I am He, and I was, and I will be. I am now, and I was in the past, and I will be until the end of everything. All this should be contemplated only in thought) – that You have mercy on me and do (and he should ask his request in clear language).'

And so he should say three times. The mekubalim have elaborated greatly on this."

The Entire Kavanah: Only Gratitude

The Yanuka says: The entire lighting, the entire kavanah, is ONLY to give thanks to H'shem. That's it. Every single second of every single day of Chanukah—whether in hallel, in lighting, in sitting by the nerot—it's all just one thing: "Thank You, H'shem."

Without this hoda'ah, there is NO ta'am (taste, meaning) to the hadlakah. This is what the Yanuka teaches.

From the heart, with love to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, with emotion—each person in their own way, gently, pleasantly. Have kavanah that this Shem Hakadosh should illuminate everything with goodness and rachamim: on yourself, on your family, on all of Klal Yisrael. Complete, supreme rachamim from Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

Wake Up From the Darkness

It's hard to explain the depth of this kavanah. But start to awaken your heart truly—to exit the darkness. Everything depends on us. Our heart. Our thought.

Wake up! You don't know where you are, how far we've distanced ourselves from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. We're walking on the wrong path. We don't know how to have rachamim on each other.

But now is the time. Now is the time to exit the choshech and believe in this light and follow it. And then we'll see how everything is healed, b'ezrat H'shem, and everything is good.

The Half Hour: Your Window to Miracles

What Happens During This Time The moment you light the nerot Chanukah:

All the gates of heaven open completely
36 Serafim hover above the candles, ready to take your pitkot and elevate them directly to Hakadosh Baruch Hu
They answer Amen to your brachot
Din is suspended and rachamim flows freely
It becomes an et ratzon—a time when tefilot are answered

According to the Arizal, the Yud-Gimmel Midot HaRachamim are revealed during hadlakat nerot. Each of the first two brachot contains exactly 13 words. Together, they total 26 words—equal to Shem Havayah.

What Women Should NOT Do Women especially should not do any melachah for at least half an hour after lighting:

No laundry
No ironing
No folding
No dishes
No cleaning

This is chatzi sha'ah Shabbat. Instead, sit by the nerot, look at the flames, and pray.

What TO Do Rav Nachman miBreslev teaches: After lighting the nerot Chanukah, you should sit and daven next to the nerot for a half hour. Even though it's difficult to stay seated, it's a segulah because of the great yeshuah you'll receive just by sitting and watching the nerot.

Sit for at least 30 minutes without doing any melachah, without moving, without talking on the phone, without getting up
Look at the flames and absorb the Ohr HaGanuz—this erases immodest sights and heals the neshamah
Pour out your heart—pray for refuah, parnasah, banim, shidduchim, everything

As the Tiferet Shlomo teaches: First focus your tefilot on sanctifying Shem Shamayim, then ask for all your physical needs.

After the Half Hour Even after the required half hour has passed, every time you walk by the nerot while they're still burning, stop for a moment, daven, and make a request. The gate is open to accept your tefilot.

The Power of Tears

The Chatam Sofer zt"l promises: When you cry in front of the nerot, you can be sure your tefilot are answered.

The Ruzhiner Rebbe teaches something extraordinary: "אותה הפעולה שצדיקי הדור הגדולים ביותר אינם יכולים לפעול בתפילת נעילה ביום כיפור, יכול יהודי פשוט לבקש ולפעול בדמעות שיזיל מול הנרות" - The very act that the greatest tzaddikim of the generation cannot accomplish at Ne'ilah on Yom Kippur, any simple Jew can accomplish through the tears shed in front of the nerot Chanukah.

The Chida's Promise The Chida Hakadosh promises: Stand before the nerot and cry. Pour down tears until all the flames become blurred and you can't see how many flames there are. Whoever sees this sight is saved—that's it, you've merited yeshuah.

As it says: "ה' אלוקי שיועתי אליך ותרפאני" - "H'shem Elokai shivati eilecha vatirpa'eni" (H'shem my G-d, I cried out to You and You healed me - Tehillim 30:3). "Shivati" means cleave to H'shem like sha'avah (wax) that sticks—cleave to H'shem and He will heal you, He will accept you.

The Essential Prayer Practices

The Ramban & Baal Shem Tov Segulah

From the Ramban: Say the pasuk "ויהי נועם ה' אלוקינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו" - "Vihi noam H'shem Elokeinu aleinu u'ma'aseh yadeinu konena aleinu u'ma'aseh yadeinu konenehu" (May the pleasantness of H'shem our G-d be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us—the work of our hands, establish it - Tehillim 90:17), repeating each individual word seven times.

From the Baal Shem Tov: Say both "Vihi noam" AND Mizmor 91 ("יושב בסתר עליון" - "Yoshev b'seter elyon" - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High) seven times straight. The Baal Shem Tov used this on Yamim Nora'im and in all times of trouble. Meditate on the two-letter nuns.

The Ben Ish Chai Segulah for Protection

According to the Ben Ish Chai (Shanah Rishonah, Parashat Vayeshev, 23) and Sefer Segulot L'Yisrael:

After lighting and saying "HaNerot Halalu" and "Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit":

Say "ויהי נועם ה' אלוקינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו"
Then say Mizmor 91 ("יושב בסתר עליון") in its entirety
Repeat steps 1-2 seven times OUT LOUD, then once b'lachash (total of 8 times)

The Complete Tehillim Sequence

Say these mizmorim after lighting:

"Vihi noam" (Tehillim 90:17) EIGHT times
Mizmor 91 (Yoshev b'seter elyon)
Mizmor 30 (Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit)
Mizmor 33 (Ranenu tzaddikim)
Mizmor 67 (Elokim yechonenu) - Read this in the shape of a menorah
Mizmor 19 (Hashamayim mesaprim)
Mizmor 100 (Mizmor l'todah)
Mizmor 133 (Shir HaMa'alot l'David)

After all Tehillim, say "Ana B'Koach" and "Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto L'olam Va'ed."

Additional Optional Prayers

According to the Ben Ish Chai, Sefer Kav HaYashar, and the Zohar HaKadosh:

Some recite all of Kapitel 119
Some recite all of Shir HaMa'alot (Tehillim 120-134)
Some recite Shirat Chanah (Shmuel Aleph, 2:1-10)

After saying all these perakim, you can ask and daven for anything you want.

The Ultimate Tehillim Segulah

HaRav Rafael Abuchatzeira and HaRav Bidderman bring a well-known segulah bedukah u'menusah (tried and tested): Say all of Sefer Tehillim every night of Chanukah.

Throughout the tefilot, keep looking at the nerot and absorbing the Ohr HaGanuz.

Each Night Has Its Own Spiritual Power

According to the Mekubalim - Divine Attributes from Yotzer:

Night 1: Po'el Gevurot (Performer of Mighty Acts)

Night 2: Oseh Chadashot (Maker of New Things)

Night 3: Ba'al Milchamot (Master of Wars)

Night 4: Zorei'a Tzedakot (Sower of Righteousness)

Night 5: Matzmi'ach Yeshuot (Sprouter of Salvations)

Night 6: Borei Refuot (Creator of Healings)

Night 7: Nora Tehilot (Awesome in Praises)

Night 8 - Zot Chanukah: Adon HaNifla'ot (Master of Wonders) - THE MOST POWERFUL NIGHT

According to the Kedushat Levi - Each Night's Focus:

Night 1: Not to be lonely or depressed

Night 2: Shidduchim and Shalom Bayit - to find your zivug and marital peace

Night 3: Good, happy, and healthy children

Night 4: Arba Imahot (Four Matriarchs) - to be a healthy and wholesome woman or mother in the four walls of your home

Night 5: Chamishah Chumshei Torah (Five Books of Torah) - Daven that your husband and children should be talmidei chachamim. By the fifth night, more of the menorah is lit than not. Pray for more light in your life, for clarity. This night is a segulah for miracles and to change the order of the world in a positive manner. The fifth night of Chanukah never falls on Shabbat.

Night 6: Simchah - You can have everything and still be sad, therefore daven for joy and happiness

Night 7: Happy and Peaceful Shabbat - with divrei Torah and zemirot by your seudah. Shabbat is the source of all brachah.

Night 8 - Zot Chanukah: Auspicious time to daven for akarot (barren women). Eight is above nature. It is the most powerful day to daven.

Healing the Nefesh: The Power of Ner, Petilah, Shemen

The Sfat Emet teaches something beautiful: ner, petilah, shemen - these letters spell nefesh.

How many problems do we have in our generation, especially with the nefesh? Depression, anxiety, lack of simchah, wounded souls, fears, worries... Ner, petilah, shemen—this is Chanukah's message.

What to do? Look at the menorah, at the ner, petilah v'shemen. This will heal your nefesh. Just as a candle has a petilah inserted, filled with shemen and lit—so you are like a petilah, and the shemen is the chochmah, calm, and joy that H'shem fills you with, to be illuminated in your deeds and life. As it says in Mishlei: "באור פני מלך חיים" - "B'or pnei melech chaim" (In the light of the King's face is life - Mishlei 16:15)—through the light of the nerot we merit life.

Ner in gematria equals merchav (expansiveness). Sometimes your heart feels constricted, tight, oppressive—the nerot Chanukah will bring you out to merchav, b'ezrat H'shem.

For Healing of Mind and Soul (Briut HaNefesh): The word nefesh stands for ner petil shemen. During Chanukah there is a segulah to ask for healing of the soul and mind. Look at the flame of the nerot in its entirety and recite Kapitel 30 (Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit). Ask H'shem to remove your fears and strengthen your emunah u'vitachon.

The Ultimate Healing Power of Chanukah Light

Chanukah as "Shemesh Tzedakah U'Marpei"

When Yaakov Avinu fought with the malach (saro shel Esav) and was injured in his thigh—what healed him? The sun rose and healed him.

The mekubalim teach: Chanukah is "shemesh tzedakah u'marpei", just as it will be le'atid lavo: "וזרחה לכם יראי שמי שמש צדקה ומרפא בכנפיה" - "V'zarcha lachem yirei shmi shemesh tzedakah u'marpei b'chnafeha" (For you who fear My Name, a sun of righteousness will shine with healing in its wings - Malachi 3:20). In the future, all the sick will be healed because the Ohr HaGanuz will illuminate from one end of the world to the other and pour refuah into the world.

So too, Chanukah light—which is the actual Ohr HaGanuz—is literally "shemesh tzedakah u'marpei." This light heals all pain.

The Visualization Technique: Look at the Chanukiyah. With the power of your imagination, take the light and move it to wherever hurts you—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Let the Ohr HaGanuz penetrate and heal.

Special Prayers and Requests

Ask for Ayin Tovah According to the Chida, ask to be gifted with an ayin tovah - to see the good in others, to see the good in yourself, and to see the good in life's difficulties, tests, and tribulations.

Ask for the Impossible Ask for a miracle, a big miracle in the merit of Chanukah. Ask for something that you think is impossible and will be considered a nes if it happens. Use this time to beseech H'shem.

For Understanding and Clarity Daven next to these lights and do not miss this opportunity to reach the ability to better understand things in life.

When You See Menorot Outside When you're outside and see different Chanukiyot displayed in glory, you are "buying" emunah u'vitachon, trust in H'shem. You are buying into nissim—look at them.

Erasing Immodest Images

Gaze at the nerot and ask H'shem to erase any bad or difficult images and memories from your mind. If you, your husband, or your children saw bad, immodest, or frightening images by watching movies, from pictures in magazines, or in real life, looking at the nerot of the Chanukiyah will erase them from one's hard drive memory. Ask H'shem to erase them for you and your family in the merit of the holy flames. Ask that we should live with yishuv hada'at (inner composure).

Specific Segulot Throughout Chanukah

The Best Olive Oil Light with shemen zayit zach katit suitable for eating, not lamp oil. This is the most beautiful way to perform the mitzvah.

According to the Gemara (Shabbat 23a): "Hazahir b'ner zocheh l'vanim talmidei chachamim" (One who is meticulous with candles merits children who are Torah scholars). What does "hazahir" mean? That the vessel is beautiful, the oil is pure and expensive shemen zayit suitable for food. The more you beautify this mitzvah—with a beautiful Chanukiyah, excellent shemen, and petilot prepared with love and desire for the mitzvah—the more you'll merit righteous sons, good and yirat shamayim daughters, and much nachat.

For Next Sukkot Hang shemen zayit in your sukkah and leave it until the end to absorb the kedushah of the Ushpizin. This shemen becomes an immense segulah for lighting next Chanukah.

For Healing (Refuah Sheleimah)

Save leftover shemen (after the required half-hour) in a jar
Rub on painful areas
Especially for shoshanah (cellulitis/rose disease): The hint is in Ma'oz Tzur: "ומנותר קנקנים נעשה נס לשושנים" - "U'minotar kankanim na'asah nes lashoshanim" (From the leftover oil, a miracle was made for the roses)
Important: Make a t'nai beforehand that you're only designating the shemen for the mitzvah during the required half-hour

Try it—it's truly "shemen hapele" (miracle oil) and really works.

For Livelihood (Parnasah)

Make sufganiyot with LOTS of oil: According to Rabbeinu Maimon (the Rambam's father): "One should not take lightly the custom of spinge (honey fritters). When they're fried in abundant shemen, you'll have the blessing of parnasah all year, as it says: 'מאשר שמנה לחמו והוא ייתן מעדני מלך' - 'Me'Asher shemenah lachmo v'hu yitein ma'adanei melech' (From Asher, rich is his bread, and he will provide royal delicacies - Bereishit 49:20). The custom of spinge should not be disdained, and whoever is zealous in it—brachah will come upon him and his debt notes will be torn up."
Buy an aliyah on Zot Chanukah: Sefer Yikra D'Alma teaches that one who purchases the aliyah of "Zot Chanukat HaMizbe'ach" on the last day merits wealth to provide for all who need it forever—blessed with zera shel kayama (lasting seed), male children, and abundant parnasah. Try to purchase this for no less than dai (enough) gold coins.
Support lomdei Torah, especially during Chanukah—this rectifies pegamei hanefesh (Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah)

For Children

Light with love of the mitzvah to merit talmidei chachamim children
This also awakens sparks in children who've strayed
Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet: Special time to pray for children who left the path

The Slonimer Rebbe's Teaching on Children: Daven that our children follow in the path of Torah and merit yirat shamayim u'tzniut. Daven that we merit greeting them always with a "glowing" smile and that we love each child the same with no favoring among them.

For Fertility

Zot Chanukah is THE MOST POWERFUL (Bnei Yissaschar, Ma'amarei Chodesh Kislev Tevet, Ma'amar 2:10)
When all eight nerot burn, say Kapitel 80 (Tehillim) followed by: "See this gefen, how it has no fruit, how it wants to be fruitful—give her children"
Mention that just like a gefen, grapes are plentiful and come in bunches, H'shem should give you children like grapes
Ask that just like you merited to light all eight nerot, you should merit to celebrate a brit on the eighth day for your son, Amen!

For Shidduchim

Erev Shabbat Chanukah: When Chanukiyah (symbolizing children) and nerot Shabbat (symbolizing marriage) burn together - the nerot Shabbat of "Shamor v'Zachor" symbolize chatan v'kallah, but they're missing children. After both sets of nerot are lit, daven that H'shem join the two and bring completion. This is the time to daven to find your zivug, have a family, and for Mashiach. Say: "H'shem, tizkeini b'vinyan shalem" (H'shem, merit me with a complete building)

Segulah for Removing Shidduch Blockages: If a shidduch broke off after 3+ meetings:

Say Kriat Shema twice daily
First say: "Ribono shel Olam, hareini mochel l'chol mi she'hich'is v'hiknit oti" (Master of the World, I hereby forgive everyone who angered or provoked me)
When you truly forgive all, Hakadosh Baruch Hu ensures all forgive you

For Medical Procedures Ben Ish Chai: If someone needs surgery or a medical consultation, designate one Chanukah day (not Shabbat) to refrain from all tiring melachah. Spend the entire day reciting Tehillim for the success of the operation or consultation. She can daven at the Kotel, at home, or at the kever of a big tzaddik. This way you will be saved from that trouble.

For Wisdom and Long Life

Merit: chochmah, protection from enemies, techiyat hameitim, salvation from Gehinnom (Segulot Yisrael, Ma'arechet Chet, 41)
"Hanachah oseh mitzvah"—hanachah = chaim (68) in gematria (Gemara, Shabbat 23a)

The Sevivon Segulah

The sevivon isn't just a beautiful game—there's great significance. The sevivon teaches us: "HaBote'ach b'H'shem, chesed yesovenenu" (One who trusts in H'shem, kindness surrounds him). You spin the sevivon from above, not from below like a noisemaker... so we remember to spin the yetzer hara, not let it spin us!

Great Admorim attributed special segulah to the sevivon. Get one small, simple wooden sevivon, keep it in your pocket all eight days, and spin it at least once during Chanukah. This is a segulah for nitzachon (victory).

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l teaches that Yidden played sevivon with their children during the time of the Hellenists. It should still be played today because of the significance of the letters:

נ = nefesh (healing of the soul)
ג = guf (healing of the body)
ה = havanah (understanding of the Torah)
ש = simchah (joy)

Special Candle Lighting Customs

Light a Candle for Rebbe Meir Ba'al HaNes It's good to light a candle lichvod Rebbe Meir Ba'al HaNes during Chanukah. Important: When lighting for a tzaddik, don't say "l'ilui nishmat"—say "lichvod" or "lichvod nishmat."

Why during Chanukah? The words "Eloka d'Meir aneni" refer to Chanukah days—not to the name "Meir," but to the G-d who illuminated (he'ir) during Chanukah days. "Aneni"—may He answer us and illuminate for us.

Especially good to light on Rosh Chodesh Tevet. Rav Chaim Palagi writes: "This is a great thing to do in these days, and we will see H'shem's wondrous works."

Light a Candle for Avraham Avinu Light a candle on Rosh Chodesh Tevet lichvod Avraham Avinu, who was niftar on that day. He was the first to see Chanukah's light when he went with Yitzchak to the Akeidah, telling Eliezer and Yishmael: "Wait here, and I and the lad will go ad ko"—kaf-hei (25) in Kislev.

Festive Chanukah Customs

Serve Dairy Foods It is customary to serve dairy during Chanukah to commemorate the dairy feast that Yehudit prepared for Holofernes, the Greek ruler, which brought about his downfall.

Festive Meals and Songs It is proper to serve festive meals on Chanukah and to sing shirei hallel v'tishbachot.

The All-Important Practice: No Complaining

From the beginning until the end of Chanukah: DO NOT COMPLAIN.

Instead of "Ani rotzeh she..." (I want that...) say "H'shem, ani merotzeh she..." (H'shem, I am satisfied that...)

When you don't complain despite difficulty, you're living above nature. Hakadosh Baruch Hu responds measure for measure—you operate supernaturally, He sends supernatural nissim.

Special Advice for Mothers

Don't Say "I'm Tired" Mothers should not say to their children during Chanukah (or ever) "I am tired" or "I am tired, not now." This makes a child feel like they are not important and a burden to their parents and is very hurtful to them. So even if you're tired, and who's not, don't say it to them.

The Powerful Segulah of Writing Your Tefilot

The Year-Long Tefillah Practice:

After lighting the nerot each night, write down all your tefilot and bakashot for the coming year. Make TWO copies:

One copy - tape to the bottom of your Chanukiyah
Second copy - keep with you to read by the nerot every night of Chanukah

Read your bakashot out loud by the nerot each night, looking at the flames as you daven.

After Chanukah ends, wrap the copy that was taped to the Chanukiyah together with your Chanukiyah when you put it away for the year.

Next Chanukah, on the first night, open it and see how H'shem answered your tefilot. You will be amazed at what Hakadosh Baruch Hu did for you over the year.

Alternative Custom for Zot Chanukah:

On the eighth night, after lighting all eight nerot, write on paper: "מן המצר קראתי י-ה ענני במרחב י-ה" - "Min hametzar karati Kah, anani bamerchan Kah" (From distress I called to G-d, He answered me with expansiveness - Tehillim 118:5). Below this, write all your requests for the coming year. After the nerot go out, place the note in or under your Chanukiyah until next Chanukah. On the first night next year, open it and see how H'shem answered you.

What to Do with Your Chanukah Materials

The Leftover Shemen:

Save in a jar for refuah (after making a t'nai beforehand)
Anoint painful areas

The Used Petilot:

Save each night's petilot until the eighth night
Zot Chanukah: After nerot go out, burn all petilot with leftover shemen—segulah for protection from all enemies, bandits, and accusers all year
Segulah for shidduchim: Burn the petilot in an empty tin can. The single person should pass over the burning petilot seven times. This is a segulah to find their zivug within the year (Sefer Avicha Segulot)
Alternative: Save until Pesach and burn with chametz

Women and Chanukah

Women have special connection to Chanukah (the nes came through Yehudit):

On first night, eighth night, and Rosh Chodesh during Chanukah—don't work at all
Sit by nerot, absorb the Ohr HaGanuz, pray for all needs

Give Tzedakah

After lighting, give tzedakah. This completes the mitzvah and is powerful for having tefilot answered immediately.

Ask for Mashiach

Ask for Mashiach all throughout Chanukah. Mashiach is hinted in the words: Madlikim Shmonat Yemei Chanukah.

A Final Thought:

The Chazon Ish taught that on Zot Chanukah "there is no nature at all." The Baal Shem Tov taught that Heaven's hand remains open until Chanukah—this is the chatimah ha'achronah. The Chida promised that if you cry until the flames blur, you are saved. The Ruzhiner Rebbe taught that what the greatest tzaddikim cannot accomplish at Ne'ilah, any Yid can accomplish through tears by the nerot Chanukah.

The gates are open. The 36 malachim are hovering. The Ohr HaGanuz—the very light of Creation and Geulah—is shining.

Don't let these days pass. Stand before the nerot. Keep the letters אהי"ה in front of your eyes. Say "Thank You, H'shem" with every breath. Cry. Pour out your heart. Let the light heal your nefesh. Watch Hakadosh Baruch Hu work nifla'ot.

Chag Chanukah Sameach! 🕎

Sources and Credits

This guide was compiled from the following holy sources:

Sefarim (Books):

Bnei Yissaschar (Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov) - Ma'amarei Chodesh Kislev Tevet
Kedushat Levi (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev)
Imrei Pinchas (Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz)
Sfat Emet (Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger)
Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad) - Shanah Rishonah, Parashat Vayeshev
Sefer Kav HaYashar
Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah (Rabbi Alexander Ziskind)
Sefer Segulot L'Yisrael
Sefer Yikra D'Alma
Sefer Avicha Segulot
Zohar HaKadosh
Talmud Bavli, Masechet Shabbat 23a
"The Light and the Splendor" by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

Gedolei Yisrael (Torah Scholars):

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh (Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer)
The Ramban (Rabbeinu Moshe ben Nachman)
The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi)
The Chida (Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai)
The Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman)
Tiferet Shlomo (Rabbi Shlomo Hakohen Rabinowicz of Radomsk)
Chatam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe Sofer)
Ruzhiner Rebbe (Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin)
Chazon Ish (Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz)
Slonimer Rebbe
Rav Nachman miBreslev (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov)
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l
Rav Chaim Palagi
HaRav Rafael Abuchatzeira
HaRav Bidderman
Rabbeinu Maimon (father of the Rambam)
The Yanuka (Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Be'eri)
HaRav Yechezkel Tzemach (talmid of the Yanuka)
Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

Contemporary Torah Teachers:

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi
Rabbanit Chagit Shira

Websites and Organizations:

Hidabroot (hidabroot.org)
Torah.org
shuvaisrael

User-Provided Compilations: This guide synthesizes teachings from multiple Hebrew documents and compilations provided by the user, including:

Chanukah segulot compilation (Hebrew text documents)
Additional segulot from Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi
Chanukah booklet PDF (commemorating Sarit Marton a"h, December 28, 2016)
Teachings from the Yanuka and HaRav Yechezkel Tzemach
Various compilations from Hidabroot and other Torah sources

All segulot, customs, and teachings have been attributed to their original sources where known. May the merit of all these holy tzaddikim and their teachings bring yeshuot and brachot to all of Klal Yisrael.

Note: This guide is intended for educational and inspirational purposes. For halachic questions, please consult your local Orthodox rabbi.