R. Touitou - Chanukah Secrets and Daily Lighting Segulots

Published on October 27, 2024

אם ירצה ה׳

Audio (french) of the chiour

Neither post nor briefing nor transcript have been reviewed by R. David Touitou chlita

Each day of Hanukkah, as we kindle the lights of the menorah, a unique spiritual energy descends into the world. This energy is associated with a specific Divine attribute (midah) drawn from the Shabbat morning prayer paragraph that begins La'el baruch... and includes the phrases we focus on each night.

la-kel baruch praises

Furthermore, the seven heavens are opened during this special time, providing a direct conduit for our prayers to ascend. It's also taught that gazing at the Hanukkah candles during this 30-minute period can have a purifying effect on one's eyesight, cleansing them from any spiritual impurities accumulated throughout the year.

Briefing

Halachot (Jewish Laws):

Light Hanukkah candles each night for eight nights, starting 15-20 minutes before nightfall (tzet hakochavim) at the earliest. Be sure the candles burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
Sephardim: The head of the household lights for everyone.
Ashkenazim: Each person lights their own Hanukkiah.
Use olive oil preferably.
Recite blessings before lighting.
Focus on the flames for at least 30 minutes.

Segulot During 30 Minutes After Lighting

During the special 30 minutes after lighting your Hanukkah candles, there’s a unique opportunity to connect with G'd in a meaningful way. Each night carries its own significance, and knowing how to focus your intentions can enhance your spiritual experience.

Day 1: Poel Gevurot (Performer of Mighty Deeds): This day focuses on G-d's attribute of strength and power. Use this time to pray for courage, resilience, and divine assistance in overcoming any challenges you face. Ask for the strength to make difficult decisions, break free from negative habits, or achieve ambitious goals. This is a time to connect with G-d's infinite power and draw upon it for personal empowerment.
Day 2: Oseh Hadashot (Maker of New Things): This day emphasizes G-d's ability to create and renew. Pray for new beginnings, whether it's a new job, a new relationship, the birth of a child, or a fresh start in any area of your life. Ask for the inspiration and guidance to pursue new opportunities and manifest your desires. This is a time to embrace the potential for growth and transformation.
Day 3: Baal Milchamot (Master of Wars): This day invokes G-d's mastery over conflict and struggle. Pray for victory in any battles you are facing, whether they are internal struggles with your yetzer hara (evil inclination) or external conflicts with others. Ask for the courage to confront your fears, the strength to defend yourself, and the wisdom to navigate difficult situations. This is a time to find peace and resolution amidst challenges.
Day 4: Zoke A Tzedakot (Meritorious of Charity/Righteous Acts): This day highlights the importance of giving. It's a particularly auspicious time to give tzedakah (charity), as it is believed that any charitable giving on this day will be returned many times over. Focus your intentions on giving generously and selflessly, recognizing that true wealth comes from sharing with others.
Day 5: Matzmiach Yeshuot (Who Causes Salvation to Sprout): This day focuses on G-d's power to bring forth salvation and hope. Pray for breakthroughs, miracles, and unexpected blessings. It's taught that on this day, the yetzer hara (evil inclination) has less influence, making it easier to connect with G-d's light and receive His blessings.
Day 6: Borei Refuot (Creator of Remedies): This day emphasizes G-d's role as the ultimate healer. Pray for healing for yourself, your loved ones, and all those who are suffering. Visualize complete healing and restoration of health. This is a time to connect with G-d's compassion and ask for His mercy in alleviating pain and suffering.
Day 7: Nora Tehilot (Awesome are Praises): This day focuses on the power of praise and gratitude. Offer heartfelt thanks to G-d for all His blessings, both big and small. Recite Tehillim (Psalms), sing songs of praise, and express your appreciation for G-d's goodness. This is a time to elevate your consciousness through heartfelt expressions of devotion.
Day 8: Adon HaNiflaot (Lord of Miracles): This is the culmination of Hanukkah and the most powerful day. It is compared to Yom Kippur in its spiritual potency. Pray with intense focus and intention for anything you desire. This is a time to connect with the deepest levels of your soul and pour out your heart to G-d.

Additional Segulots

For Livelihood and Wealth: The verse Orech yamim bimina, bismola osher vechavod (Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor - Proverbs 3:16) is recommended to be recited after lighting the Hanukkah candles, particularly on the eighth night. This segula connects the light of Hanukkah with the blessings of long life, wealth, and honor. The recitation can be done after the blessings and songs associated with Hanukkah are completed, while still sitting before the lit candles. Focus your intention on drawing these blessings into your life.
Protection from Gehenom (Hell): This segula emphasizes the importance of lighting the Hanukkah candles with sincere joy (simcha) and respect (kavod). The act of lighting should be performed with the proper reverence for the mitzvah and with an awareness of the holiness of the occasion. This joyful and respectful observance is said to mitigate negative judgments.
Meriting Children who are Torah Scholars: Lighting the Hanukkah candles with olive oil is considered especially meritorious. Combine this with lighting with love, joyful enthusiasm (chibouv mitzvah), and singing praises to G'd. This segula is for those desiring children who will be learned in Torah and dedicated to its observance. For those who already have children, it's suggested that this practice can influence them towards teshuva (repentance) and a closer connection to Torah.
Children for the Barren: The eight days of Hanukkah, and especially the eighth day, are considered an auspicious time for women experiencing infertility to pray for children. This segula links the eighth day of Hanukkah with the Torah reading of Bezot Hanukkah Hamizbeach (This is the dedication offering of the altar - Numbers 7:84), which discusses dedications and new beginnings, symbolizing the potential for new life.
Hastening the Messiah: This segula has a mystical element, focusing on the initials of certain words and practices. The initials of mezuzah, Hanukkiah, and tzitzit (which are commonly found at the entrance of a Jewish home) spell tzemach (sprout), referencing the verse Et tzemach David avdecha (And the sprout of Your servant David), a messianic prophecy. Similarly, the initials of the Hebrew words in the candle-lighting blessing (lehadlik ner Hanukkah shmonat yamim) spell shelachni (He sent me), alluding to G-d sending sustenance and, by extension, the Messiah.
Purification and Strength: The Hasmoneans, despite being outnumbered and outmatched, achieved victory through their purity, faith, and commitment to Torah and mitzvot. Emulating their dedication during Hanukkah by focusing on personal purification and strengthening one's Torah study and mitzvah observance is said to bring similar merit and potential for miracles and salvation.
Overcoming Challenges: Drawing parallels between the Hasmonean victory and personal struggles, this segula encourages one to find strength and courage in the face of adversity. Just as the Hasmoneans overcame their formidable enemies, so too can individuals overcome their personal challenges, particularly during the eight days of Hanukkah.
Burning the Wicks (on the 8th Night): This segula involves collecting the used wicks and oil from the Hanukkah candles on the eighth night and burning them in a safe container. This act symbolizes the destruction of negative spiritual forces, accusations, and obstacles that have hindered one's progress. It represents a cleansing and renewal, paving the way for a better year ahead. The wicks and oil are considered imbued with holiness from the brachot recited over them and the mitzvah of Hanukkah.

More Secrets

The Power of the Number Eight: The speaker repeatedly emphasizes the significance of the number eight in Hanukkah. Eight represents transcendence over the natural world (me'al hateva), as it goes beyond the seven days of creation and the seven heavens. This is why the eighth day is considered so powerful and auspicious.
Connection to Rosh Hashanah: Hanukkah is described as having the power to supersede the decrees of Rosh Hashanah. While Rosh Hashanah operates within the realm of natural law (teva), Hanukkah transcends it, offering an opportunity to rewrite one's destiny and improve upon what was ordained on Rosh Hashanah.
The Initial of Shelachni (He Sent Me): The speaker reveals a hidden connection between the word shelachni (He sent me) in the verse ki lemihya shelachni Elokim lifneichem (for G-d has sent me my livelihood before you) and the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles. The initials of the Hebrew words in the candle-lighting blessing (lehadlik ner Hanukkah shmonat yamim) spell shelachni. This connection suggests that by fulfilling the mitzvah of Hanukkah, we draw down G-d's blessings of sustenance and provision. This alludes to a deeper connection between Hanukkah and Divine providence.
The Tzemach (Sprout) Initials: The speaker points out that the placement of the mezuzah on the right, the Hanukkiah on the left, and the wearing of tzitzit form the initials tzemach (sprout), a messianic term. This suggests a connection between Hanukkah and the coming of the Messiah, hinting at the holiday's role in bringing about redemption.
Revealing the Name of the Messiah: Lighting the Hanukkah candles with joy and requesting the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) is said to reveal the name of the Messiah and hasten his arrival. This underscores the messianic potential embedded within the observance of Hanukkah.
Emulating the Hasmoneans: The speaker encourages us to follow the example of the Hasmoneans, not only in their military victory but also in their spiritual purity and commitment to Torah and mitzvot. This suggests that Hanukkah is not just about celebrating a historical event but also about embodying the values of faith, courage, and dedication to G-d's will.
Hanukkah as a Renewal of Creation: The speaker connects Hanukkah to the 25th word of the Torah, or (light), linking the holiday to the initial creation of light and the 25th of Elul, the traditional date of creation. This implies that Hanukkah represents a rekindling of the original light of creation and a spiritual renewal for the world.

Transcript

Boker Or. In the name of G'd, we will do and we will succeed. Cours Spécial des Segoulot de Hanoucca. With the help of G'd. Advised to share so that everyone can benefit from this lesson, with the help of G'd, referenced by our hakhamim. The list would be long to give them all. Requested today by Déborah Melul for the 20th of the month of Kislev, therefore, this evening, for the birthday of her cousin, Simha bat Elisheva, for health, long life, much happiness, emuna, a big mazel tov. For the bar mitzvah of her son, bracha vehatslacha bechol ma'aseh yadehem (blessing and success in all the work of their hands). Bracha vehatslacha also for Deborah Melul. With the help of G'd, 120 years of happiness. And mazel tov for the bar mitzvah. We begin right away this lesson. We have already given the list of our sick and the deceased, may their memory be a blessing. So, we always begin the lesson right away.

So, you know that the holiday of Hanukkah is an exceptional holiday. The 25th of the month of Kislev, we light the Hanukkiah, which is composed of many halachot. I remind you that on the site torathaim.net or on social media, you can find, type Hanukkah, all the lessons that we have already done, as well as al pi halacha (according to Jewish law), on midrashim (rabbinic interpretations of scripture) and others.

Here, we are going to talk about the segulot (special merits, auspicious practices) of Hanukkah, and they are not few in number. You will see.

In the act of lighting a Hanukkah candle, you know that we light them tzet hakochavim (at nightfall/when three medium stars are visible). So, as soon as we have made arvit (evening prayer) as soon as possible, it will be necessary to light them as soon as the stars come out. We, the Sephardim, the father of the family lights them for everyone, and even if the father is not at home and the mother is, she can light them for the father. And if he will light them later, he will light them without blessings, of course. And our Ashkenazi brothers, on the other hand, each lights his Hanukkah with his blessing. We are not the same in the halachot.

But you should know that when we light them, things happen that we do not see during this half hour so important of the lighting of the candles. Even if, in the absolute, the lighting itself is the mitzvah (commandment), that is to say, if we lit them and they went out, we have done the mitzvah, well, you should know that this half hour is super important. And you will hear why and what is hidden behind each day in the 12 segulot that I have prepared for you, with the help of G'd, to study and share.

First and foremost, our Sages tell us. So, everything I tell you now is referenced, referenced by the Sfat Emet (Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger), by Shnei Luchot Habrit (Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz), by Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad), by… there are many, many references, the Gaon of Vilna (Rabbi Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman), Rabbi Haim Palaggi. All this is referenced by our hakhamim (wise men).

Refuah (healing) for the eyes. You know that looking at the lights of Hanukkah, this light, during this precise half hour of the lighting of the candles, are nerot Hanukkah (Hanukkah candles), so olive oil is much better, of course, well, they are capable not only of cleaning our eyes of the impurity of what we would have seen during the year, but more than that, it is a time to pray for the healing of the eyes particularly. By looking at the nerot of Hanukkah, a person, and it has already happened, we have had testimonies of people who saw leitush tash (?), who had blurry vision, who did not see very, very well, well, by observing these Hanukkah candles, they mamash (truly) improved their vision. Ve lachen, zman nachon leitpalel al briut ha'enayim (therefore, it is a good time to pray for the health of the eyes). It is a good time to pray so that, with the help of G'd, the one who sees well, well, always keeps his good eyesight, and the one who has vision problems may be healed by the miracle of the eight days of Hanukkah, since they are eight days of total miracle, me'al hateva (supernatural), above nature. Vehizke lerrefuah shlema ba'enayim (and will merit a complete healing of the eyes). And, with the help of G'd, it is an excellent moment, these eight days of Hanukkah, during this half hour, to pray to the Creator of the world to give us good eyesight or that we regain our sight.

Second segula. Be'et hadlakat hanerot (at the moment of lighting the candles), niftachim kol sha'arei shamayim (all the gates of heaven open). You know that the Gemara (Talmud) tells us that since the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) was destroyed, well, the seven heavens have completely closed. But given that the days of Hanukkah are eight days, it is above the number seven. So, it is a day which, at the level of degrees, is superior to the number seven. So, everything that is seven is obliged to submit to the number eight. Thus, the seven heavens are under the orders of the number eight. And Hanukkah, our hakhamim tell us, reopens the eight, the seven heavens that were closed since the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. Ve lachen, niftachim kol sha'arei shamayim letefilatenu (therefore, all the gates of heaven open for our prayer). And it is a moment, the half hour to pray for everything we need because the seven heavens are open. Ve hu et ratzon mamash (and it is a time of favor). And our Sages tell us that it is a moment of will in heaven where whatever you say or whatever you do, you are heard. In relation to your merit, perhaps you will be answered, but heard, it is certain, more than all the other days of the year. A little like the days of Selichot, the 40 days of Selichot. Here you will see something at the end that is very interesting. Vetov leitpalel al haruhaniyut vehagashmiyut (and it is good to pray for spiritual and material matters). And it is an excellent moment, this half hour of the Hanukkah candles, where the heavens are open, to ask for everything you need in the spiritual and material domain, do not hesitate either. That is why the Hanukkiah was made of a gold base, the Hanukkiah was in gold. And the Hanukkiah, which became Hanukkiah, and above, there was spirituality. Because the two represented the material world and the spiritual world. Du lasegula, be'ezrat Hashem yitbarach (hence the segula, with the help of blessed G'd), to pray for mashiv haruach umorid hagashem (who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall), bring down spirituality upon us, certainly, but also give us materiality so that we live in opulence and better serve You.

Third segula. Bechol yom shel Hanukkah po'elet mida acheret shel Hashem yitbarach (each day of Hanukkah, a different attribute of G'd operates). Each day of Hanukkah, while you raise the flame of day number one, day number two, three, four, five, six, seven, up to eight, an attribute of G'd also descends into the world. And ulfisat, bakashatenu, be'ezrat Hashem (and according to this, our request, with the help of G'd), and according to that, we must adapt our prayers.

What comes down is this famous paragraph that we read during Shabbat morning prayers. La'el baruch ne'emotiti lamelech el chai vekayam (to the blessed G'd I give thanks, to the King, the living and enduring G'd), you know it, right? And there, suddenly, we stop and we say, po'el gevurot, oseh hadashot (who performs mighty deeds, who makes new things). We will define words with the help of G'd. Well, look closely at what our hakhamim deliver to us. Each day, taken from this paragraph, the Creator of the world brings down an attribute. And so, each day corresponds to a specific request. Even if we saw just before that we can ask for everything we want since the heavens are open. But despite everything, there is an attribute for which mida keneged mida lo batla (measure for measure has not been annulled). There is a weakness, if you will, in the upper world, where the accusing angels calm down. And here is what is written. The first day of the lighting of the Hanukkah candles, po'el gevurot (who performs mighty deeds). Akadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, blessed be He) puts into activity all His power. If we need a helping hand in anything, it is the first day, ask for it with all your heart. Oseh hadashot (who makes new things). If you are not yet married, if you want children, if you do not yet have this or that, oseh hadashot, second day of Hanukkah.

Third day of Hanukkah, ba'al milhamot (master of wars). If you have a trial, if you have conflicts, if you need to regain more self-confidence, ba'al milhamot, G'd is the master of war. So, you can ask G'd to give you the strength, for example, to stop being afraid at night, to stop having a lack of confidence.

Fourth day, zoke a tzedakot (merits charity). The fourth day is a very special day to give a lot of tzedakah (charity), as the Creator of the world does with us, because it is a day when everything you give, you get back a hundredfold.

Yom hamishi (the fifth day), the fifth day of the nerot Hanukkah (Hanukkah candles), matzmiach yeshu'ot (who causes salvation to sprout). G'd makes hope grow from the earth. Anything can happen on this fifth day, la'en hara soteh (there is no evil inclination). And so, the yeshu'ot (salvations) of everything you can ask for can happen that day. Every day is valid, everything we say is valid for every day, but particularly this one.

The sixth day, borei refu'ot (creator of remedies). The sixth day when you will light your candle, on what does G'd sit, on what seat? The seat, the throne of refuah shlema (complete healing). A very special day to ask G'd for refuah shlema for all the sick of Israel.

The seventh day, nora tehilot (awesome are praises). The prayers that we make, the Tehillim (Psalms) that we can read, the praises, the songs that we can make to G'd, rise up before the divine throne. Nora tehilot, awesome are His praises, His glory.

And the eighth day, the most important of the eight days is the eighth. The first and especially the eighth. To give you a small example of what the eighth day represents, I have noted here a maamar (teaching) that I read in the name of the Gaon of Vilna, who says, vedu lachem sheyom shmini shel Hanukkah gadol kemo Yom Kippur (and know that the eighth day of Hanukkah is as great as Yom Kippur). The eighth day of Hanukkah, says the Gaon of Vilna, is such a powerful day that it has the same kedusha (holiness) as Keter (crown), that is to say Yom Kippur. Wow! It is a day of incredible power, because just as Yom Kippur is capable of forgiving all the sins we have committed, it is above nature. You cannot have done harm and it is forgiven. It is supernatural. The eighth day of Hanukkah is above nature. And here is what our hakhamim tell us for all that.

We continue with the fourth condition. We will get to the eighth day, don't worry. Hanukkah segula lechola refu'ot af shelo bederech hateva (Hanukkah is a segula for all healings, even those that are not in the natural way). The eight days of Hanukkah, as they are dependent on the number eight, well, are days that can be beneficial for all healing. That is to say, if you have an operation to do during Hanukkah, you can count on G'd, particularly during this period, because these are days above nature that are capable of healing all diseases, according to the texts.

Fifth segula, segula leparnasa veleoasher (segula for livelihood and wealth). You should know that the holiday of Hanukkah is not simply the war, the lighting of the candles, but also the war against the enemies who were so powerful and so rich. Segula leparnasa veleoasher. Veha'igit pasuk bemishlei (segula for livelihood and wealth. And there is a verse in Proverbs). During the eight days of Hanukkah, and particularly the eighth day, there is a verse to say in Mishlei (Proverbs), which says like this: Orech yamim bimina (length of days is in her right hand). So I repeat, orech yamim bimina, bismola osher vechavod (length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor). So, translation: Long is the right hand, so yamim, long are the days bimina, on my right. And on the other side, bismola osher vechavod, and on my left, wealth and honor.

And this verse, orech yamim bimina, longevity of life on my right, and on my left, wealth and honor, is a verse to say after lighting the candles, when we have sung everything, when we have done everything, we sit for two seconds in front of the candles and say this verse, with the help of G'd, which is written. Why? Because the hakhamim tell us, for during Hanukkah, an extreme abundance of wealth and honor descends upon the people of Israel during the half hour of the lighting of the candles. And we must take advantage of it.

From the verse, ki lemihya shelachni Elokim lifneichem (for G'd has sent me my livelihood before you). The verse tells us, ki lemihya, for G'd has sent me my bread, my sustenance, shelachni, He has sent me Elokim lifneichem, G'd before you. The word shelachni is spelled shin, lamed, chet, nun, yud. These are the initials of lehadlik ner Hanukkah shmonat yamim (to light the Hanukkah candle for eight days). You will light the Hanukkah candles for eight days, the initials form shelachni. When you raise the flame, by this merit, kadosh baruch hu (the Holy One, blessed be He) makes descend, in the image of gold, which resembles the light of the Hanukkah candles that you light in honor of G'd, He makes descend, with the help of G'd, taparnasa peshuta (simple livelihood), beyond what He has set for you at Rosh Hashanah. Because at Rosh Hashanah, it goes according to teva (nature), the nature of things. But Hanukkah is above nature. So it increases, adds to what has been fixed. Hanukkah can change your mazal (luck) and the decrees of Rosh Hashanah.

Sixth segula. Par lemerit besar nerot shel Hanukkah zochim lenatzel midina shel Gehenom (by the merit of the joy of the Hanukkah candles, one merits to be saved from the judgment of Gehenom). The one who lights the Hanukkah candles in joy, with respect, kedat Moshe veYisrael (like Moses and Israel), if he was worthy of descending to Gehenom (hell), given that he has raised the flames in honor of G'd, the flames of Gehenom will descend in honor of the mitzvah that he has done. To remember, but not to take advantage of.

Seventh segula. Besar ner Hanukkah zochim libanim talmidei hakhamim (by the merit of the joy of the Hanukkah candle, one merits children who are Torah scholars). He will have the merit of having, if he lights with olive oil, the Hanukkah candles, but there is a condition, she'im hadlakatan bechibouv mitzvah (that he lights them with the joy of a mitzvah), with love, haste, at the time as it should be, in true joy, and that he does what is necessary, that he sings in honor of G'd, by this merit, G'd will send him children in the way of the Torah. And if he already has some, by this merit, He will make them do teshuva (repentance).

Eighth segula. Yom shmini shel Hanukkah segula lipekuyot bebanim zeochim (the eighth day of Hanukkah is a segula for barren women to merit children). For those who are sterile and those who are sterile who cannot have children, the eight days of Hanukkah are propitious to pray and have a child and cease to be sterile, particularly the eighth day. Ve lachen, it is related to vezot Hanukkah, how does it go? Bezot Hanukkah hamizbeach, when we will read the eighth day, precisely, in the Torah, bezot Hanukkah hamizbeach, veze pirush hadavar (this is the dedication offering of the altar, and this is the explanation of the matter).

Ninth segula. Hanukkah mekarev et oro shel Melech HaMashiach (Hanukkah brings closer the light of the King Messiah). So it is true that we have several segulot. You know that when we enter the house, we have the mezuzah on the right, we put the Hanukkiah on the left, and we pass with the tzitzit (ritual fringes), which gives the initials. Tzitzit, it is tzadi, right? Then mem of mezuzah, then chet of Hanukkah. That makes Hanukkah. That makes the initials tzemach. Et tzemach David avdecha (and the sprout of Your servant David). When a Jew passes and on his right he has the mezuzah and on his left he has the menorah, at the entrance of his house, he brings closer the geula (redemption). But if we observe the letters well, by reviving the Hanukkah candles, by lighting this marvelous light, well, it makes the letters of the word Mashiach (Messiah) himself. As it is said, madlikim shmonat yamim Hanukkah (we light for eight days of Hanukkah). We light for eight days the lights of Hanukkah. The initials of madlikim are mem, shmonat is shin, yamim is yud, Hanukkah is chet, Mashiach. Every time that in a Jewish home, we light the Hanukkah candles in joy, in shalom (peace) and serenity, in honor of G'd, and that we ask Him for the Beit Hamikdash, we reveal the name of the Mashiach and we push him to reveal himself so that he illuminates with his light all the obscurity of our doubts.

Tenth segula. Kol mi shekedugat Hashmona'im (everyone who is like the Hasmoneans). What did the Hasmoneans do? It is true that they won the war, it is true that they found the vial, it is true that they relit the Hanukkah, the Hanukkiah. It's true, but they were pure, and they strengthened themselves in their emuna (faith) and did teshuva. Mekaneh, anyone, like the example of the Hasmoneans, who wants to become pure, particularly during the eight days of Hanukkah, ve leitchazek baTorah uvmitzvot (and to strengthen himself in Torah and mitzvot), to strengthen himself in the study of the Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvot, yizke lechola nisim veyeshu'ot kemo shehaya bayamim hahem ba'zman hazeh (will merit all miracles and salvations as it was in those days, at this time). It is he who wants to go to war against his yetzer hara (evil inclination) with all his strength, against an enemy who is incredible, the yetzer hara really resembles the powerful, armed, professional Greeks. And he wants to strengthen himself during the eight days of Hanukkah. Well, just like the Hasmoneans, who were so old and yet so poorly trained, won the war, you will win your war against your yetzer hara if that is truly what you want, for man is led where he wants to go, bayamim hahem (in those days), as they won in those days, bazman hazeh (at this time), you too will win, even in 2021 of the common era.

Shmonat yamim Hanukkah. So, shmini (eighth), sorry, of Hanukkah. Now we will talk about the eighth day of Hanukkah particularly. Kol shmonat nerot dlukot (all eight candles are lit). The eight candles of the Hanukkiah are lit, the eighth day of Hanukkah, it's normal. So it is bimloa uv'otzma (in its fullness and strength). It is complete at that moment. And shmona hu me'al hateva (eight is above nature), as we said, the number eight is above nature. Al ken kol davar yachol lehistader bayom hazeh (therefore, everything can be arranged on this day). All problems can be resolved on the eighth day of Hanukkah. Bayom hazeh vechola yeshu'ot she'em me'al hateva (on this day, all salvations are from G'd, above nature). And everything a person wants, that his enemies fall, that he has better parnasa (livelihood), that he finds his zivug (spouse), that he has better health, that he makes aliyah (immigration to Israel), everything he can ask for on the eighth day of Hanukkah, which is the most important of all, we have said that the Gaon of Vilna compared it to Yom Kippur, he can ask for it particularly on the eighth day if he has not seen results the previous days. Ve'segula lenatzel mikol mekatregim, listim, oyevim (and it is a segula to be saved from all accusers, thieves, enemies). And it is a day that is so powerful, the eighth day, that it can bring down all the accusers of this world and the upper world, all the people who wish him harm, all the problems he has around him, all the oyevim (enemies), all the kol davar ra (all bad things), or all bad things that prevent him from serving G'd, can disappear from his path, with the help of G'd, on that day. But there is a segula to do, which is, who collects the eight wicks of the last day. So there, he has lit eight candles with the wicks. When they have gone out, you collect the eight wicks. You collect all the oil because they are kedoshot (holy), they have kedusha (holiness) in them, they have sanctity since you made the bracha (blessing) over them for the days of Hanukkah, and you burn them. If you burn them, at the moment when these wicks burn with the oil, you put the fire in a container, you burn them, okay? Well, at the same moment that you burn them, you kill all the bad things that surround you, everything that has prevented you from moving forward, all the ayin hara (evil eye), all the accusations, burn with the wicks and leave this world in smoke so that you have a better year. Because Hanukkah is the renewal of the creation of the world, it is the renewal of the first day where, you will look, with the help of G'd, in the Torah, well, the 25th word of the Torah is the word or (light), the 25th of the month of Kislev. It is the 25th of the month of Elul that the world was created, to erase, some time after, these lights of the first day, and they will reappear on the 25th of the month of Kislev. With the help of G'd, may we see in all Jewish homes the menorah shine in all its splendor, and that, of course, it is strictly forbidden, I remind you, to have a Christmas tree at home, chas veshalom (G'd forbid). It is a culture that belongs to another religion. Everyone does what they want. They do the tree, and we, the lef lef alfei avdalim (?), those wicks of the last day, some say the wicks of each day should be collected and you will burn them at the end, but here it is not written like that. I tell you what I have read, not what I invent. There are those who say, but I have also read elsewhere that we could take all the wicks.

So, vadai (certainly), it is strictly forbidden to have a Christmas tree. I gave a lesson on this subject, does a Jew have the right to have a Christmas tree at home, chas veshalom, and I explain during this lesson why, the sources, you can all go and check. And of course, we do not feast, even the Lubavitch, who took the minhag (custom) of the Rebbe, had forbidden to teach the Torah on the 25th of December because they were celebrating the birth of… We, once again, we are Jewish, we have our Torah, we have our culture, each one his life, each one, let them do what they have to do, each one with his faith, each one believes in what he wants, it is called free will. And when the truth comes out, then we will see what will happen. But what is certain is that we are the first religion in history, really speaking, Judaism. After, much later, was born Christianity, then Islam, other religions, then sects. So we are the origin of things. We have the merit of being in the originality and in the origin of our history. So let us continue to remain original and faithful to our Torah. Be'ezrat Hashem na'aseh venatzliach (with the help of G'd, we will do and succeed). Even if there are still many other segulot, we will stop there for this lesson. To share, to share again, because I find that by studying them, in truth, just now, to realize that the first day there is this, the second day there is that, and all that we can do and all that we can gain, well, it is no longer a ceremony of just candles, Hanukkah sameach (happy Hanukkah) and that's it. We really move on to something much more pleasant, much higher. And then every day, you can write it down, at the limit, you see what I did? I wrote it down for you very quickly. You can rewrite it yourself, you listen to this lesson again, and every day, then you say, today it is the third candle, ba'al milhamot. Mah ani ein (?), what can we ask G'd during this half hour about war? Well, that there is no more war between us and that G'd gives us the strength to overcome all trials. And so on. Each day corresponds to something nifla (wonderful). It beautifies the holiday, but above all, it helps us to move forward better. Chag sameach (happy holiday). And I find that this lesson fell very, very well with the birthday, with the help of G'd, of Deborah Melul's cousin, so Simha bat Elisheva, since she must light her candles for her birthday according to her tradition, and we have just revived the candles of hope and light. Kol tuv vehatslacha (all the best and success).

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IYH svp soutenez les institutions du Rav, ainsi que les trois collelim et avrechim

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(📜‍🔥 Créé par HKBH avec Yehudi Tam comme un récipient reconnaissant, dans la miséricorde 📜‍🔥)