▷ What Is The Prayer For Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is an important Jewish holiday celebrated with rituals, festivities, and special foods. Hanukkah is especially well-known for its ritual prayers, which are recited to recall the miracle of the Hanukkah oil and to bring Jews closer to God. One of the most important Hanukkah prayers is the song Ma’oz Tzur, which is used to open and close all Hanukkah services. In addition to this prayer, there are several other traditional Hanukkah prayers and blessings that can be recited throughout the holiday.

What Is The Prayer For Hanukkah?

The main Hanukkah prayer is the Al Ha’Nissim (“For The Miracles”) prayer. This prayer is part of the Kiddush (sanctification) prayer which is recited as part of the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, and thanks God for the holiday’s miracles. It is traditionally added to the Kiddush during the recitation of the Havdalah (blessing over wine) on each night of Hanukkah.

The Al Ha’Nissim prayer can be found at the beginning of the Amidah during all eight nights of Hanukkah and is the main prayer of the festival. It goes as follows:

Barukh atah adonai, eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kiddeshanu b’mitzvotov v’tzivanu al se’udat Hanukkah.
Barukh atah adonai, eloheinu melekh ha’olam, she-asah nissim la-avoteinu bayamim ha-hem bazman hazeh.

Translation:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the lighting of the Hanukkah lights.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.

In addition to this prayer, Jews also recite other blessings during the lighting of the Hanukiah (Hanukkah menorah). These include:

Barukh atah adonai, eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.)
Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, she-hecheyyanu v’kiyimanu v’higianu lazman hazeh. (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.)

Ma’oz Tzur

The song of Ma’oz Tzur is sung on each night of Hanukkah as part of the candle-lighting ceremony. The words of the song are very old, and are attributed to a fourth-century Rabbi named Yehudah Hanasi. It goes as follows:

Ma’oz Tzur, Yeshu’ati

Le-chah naeh le-david m’lu-e’chah.

Ro-eh Yis-ra-e-la Ba-yom ha-hu

U-v’sho-vei tsion go-eil oh-le-kha

U-v-fod-cha div-rei-ha yish-meu.

Uv’-yom sh’-vi-i b’yom nis-me-kha

Ha-yom nik-ra-tei-nu ze li-b’-kha.

Translation:

Rock of Ages, we implore Thee

Be our help in ages past.

Look upon our people, Lord, on this day,

Be pleased that we call upon Thy Name.

Redeem us in Thy great mercy,

That those who trust in Thee may not despair.

Save us and at the time of need,

Let us then call out Thy Name.

In Hanukkah, the prayer “Al Ha’Nissim” and the song “Ma’oz Tzur” are two of the most important and traditional prayers recited during the festival. Through these prayers, Jews commemorate and express gratitude to God for the miracles that happened during Hanukkah and remember the events that prompted the holiday. With these traditions, Jews remember the historical events that led to their celebration and their faith in God.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.