I Didn't Place a Note in the Chanukiah - and I Was Saved! Rabbi Reuven Zakai on the Popular Segulah

I will begin with an unfamiliar story about Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, which I heard from his son Gaon Rabbi David Yosef. A very wealthy couple from the USA had been waiting many years for a child of their own. They consulted the best doctors, invested a fortune, and made every possible effort, but to no avail. In their distress, they came to Israel especially and approached Rabbi David, whom they had known for a long time, with a request to arrange a meeting with his father for a blessing. On the appointed day, the couple entered Maran's study with reverence; upon seeing his radiant face and compassionate eyes, they burst into tears. They spoke of the nerve-wracking years of waiting, the complex treatments that failed, and the suffering and grief that became regular guests in their home. 'Please! Bless us, Rabbi,' they pleaded, 'so that we may finally be saved and have living offspring.'

Maran listened intently to their story, empathized with their pain, wept with their tears, and was moved with compassion for them. At some point, he gently asked the husband: 'Do you observe family purity?' The husband mumbled an unclear response. Without hesitation, the Rabbi told them: 'If you commit to observing purity according to halacha, I will bless you that the mitzvah will bring you salvation!'

The husband and wife exchanged glances; it was evident that she also did not know exactly what this meant. Maran called for Rebbetzin Margalit, of blessed memory, and asked her to guide the woman in the ways of purity and explain the importance of the mitzvah. The righteous Rebbetzin accepted the challenge happily. When the guidance was completed, the Rabbi required a promise from the couple to undertake the task and keep purity as required. Once the promise was made, he blessed them warmly from the depths of his pure heart that with Hashem's help, they would be blessed with a viable male offspring within the year. The couple was deeply moved, tears of joy flowed from their eyes. The husband kissed the Rabbi's hands enthusiastically, and they left on their way rejoicing and encouraged. Just before they left the house, while standing at the threshold, they asked Rabbi David: 'Do you know where a certain renowned Kabbalist lives?' Here they mentioned the name of a true and famous Kabbalist and righteous man, whose blessings had truly benefited many. 'Since we are already in the country,' they indicated, 'it might be worth seeking a blessing from him as well.'

Maran, who noticed their words, suddenly intervened uncharacteristically and called to them: 'Forgive me, there is no need to seek his blessing. You have made a good commitment, the blessing has already been given, and you will have children!' The couple, of course, heeded the Rabbi's words and abandoned the idea.

When they left, Rabbi David approached his father respectfully and asked: 'Father, what you say is, of course, Torah for me from Sinai, yet, Torah it is, and I need to learn! Why were you so insistent that they not go to the Kabbalist Rabbi, considering that he is a true Kabbalist and righteous person whom you also respect. Certainly, he wouldn't harm them?'

Here the father revealed his broad Torah knowledge and understanding, shedding light on part of the sacred mysteries of his heart: 'Let me explain, my son! Indeed, I have no opposition to that Kabbalist and righteous person. But consider this: the couple will go to the Kabbalist Rabbi who will certainly bless them, perhaps even giving them an amulet, and they will return home full of vigor, confident in the blessings they received. Of course, they will remember somehow that they promised me to keep purity, and indeed they will. But when, with Hashem's help, the miracle occurs and they are blessed with viable offspring, they will feel, and may share with anyone interested, that it was the blessing they received that helped them. They will not attribute the salvation to the mitzvah of purity that they kept!!!'

Thanks to Observing Purity - a Healthy and Complete Son

Why is it so? Simple! The evil inclination knows that if it becomes known that purity granted them children against all odds, the story will have an immense strengthening effect. It will have a great impact on more and more women and couples who will commit themselves to keep purity. And that is what the evil inclination greatly fears, preferring that the world should know or think that the miracle happened for completely different, albeit trivial, reasons. It need not be emphasized, if you were genuinely interested, that what Maran said indeed transpired. Less than a year passed, and the couple held in their arms a healthy and complete male child. The righteous commands, and Hashem fulfills.

And why did I remember this wonderful story just now? You know, the day 'Zos Chanukah' is approaching, and there is a new Segulah that has spread across the internet in the last two or three years. To write a note with a wish on 'Zos Chanukah' and store it with the Chanukiah until next year.

Well, my friends, I confess, from the start I was suspicious of this Segulah, and I felt something didn't sit right with me. A Jewish person prays, a Jewish person asks, we all know. But a Jew placing a note in the Chanukiah, where did that come from? It suffices that this is done at the Western Wall, and there is no place to elaborate on the source, and to what extent the custom is accepted by all opinions. But in the Chanukiah?! I did not make it easy for myself; I investigated, researched, and delved into books as far as my hand could reach. The conclusion I came to, and I apologize in advance if I disappointed anyone: this Segulah does not appear in any authorized book, nor did it originate from the mouth of any great Torah scholar or genuine Talmid Chacham. It is completely new, unheard of since the miracle of the jug of oil. I didn't despair; I consulted with those greater than I, alongside esteemed Segulah experts, and they all answered unanimously: 'We turned stone over stone; the Segulah has no source!'

And should you ask, what's so wrong with writing wishes and placing them in the Chanukiah?! Suppose there's no halachic prohibition in this custom per se, and it seems there isn't. It appears that one is essentially addressing Hashem through the list, which might be considered a form of prayer. But we must still know that this Segulah has no importance attached to it, as it lacks an authoritative source. There is what's primary and what's secondary! One prominent person already lamented and said ironically: It's a shame all the Torah commandments weren't written in Segulah books... then all of Israel would observe them meticulously in detail.

It is important to know that for a Segulah to become tried and tested, where we can attribute any power to it, it must pass several critical tests, with the primary being some authorized Jewish source backing it, or at least a Segulah accepted and passed down among Hashem-fearing people from generations past. And here is a point for reflection: Is it right to attribute miracles to unfounded and unsubstantiated matters instead of attributing them to prayers that were finally answered, spiritual strengthening, or good resolutions?!

And let it be known that I'm not dealing in vain fears, I will tell you that I have the merit to reply on matters of halacha, including topics related to purity, fertility, and the Jewish home. People occasionally approach me seeking advice and blessing, primarily to be blessed with offspring. Although conscious of my unworthiness, I cannot refuse them. Did not our sages say (Megillah 15a): 'Never(!) disregard a layman's blessing,' there is also an implication in the Talmud (Berachot 55a, and Rashi there) that a Jew should not refrain from blessing his fellow, especially when asked - and on the contrary, his reward is great as Hashem will bless him, and the one who blesses will be blessed, as it is said about Abraham: "And I will bless those who bless you" (Genesis 12:3).

Before fulfilling their requests, I see it as a sacred duty to direct those who approach me to be a prepared vessel for salvation through a mitzvah they commit to observe, or even a commitment to enhance their observance of a mitzvah they already keep. I always emphasize, especially to those seeking to be blessed with offspring, the matter of family purity, to observe it according to the halacha in all its implications, as it has been a cornerstone. The Creator, blessed be He, has already promised in the Midrash (beginning of Parashat Tazria): 'If you keep seven days of niddah, I will give you a son, and you will circumcise him on the eighth day!' And when they need special guidance, here is the place to praise the 'Hitabrut' organization and its associated 'Mitchabrut' initiative, where dear and dedicated women assist and guide those in need of instruction, leading them hand in hand, having already saved many souls, fortunate is their lot!

Rabbi Reuven Zakai lighting Chanukah candles

A Simpler, Much More Effective Segulah Mentioned in Books

When this commitment is in the hands of those seeking, I do not withhold any good from them, and I bless them from all my heart and pray. And lo and behold, with the kindness of Heaven and miracles, they are blessed. I have in my possession wondrous and heart-stirring stories of salvation beyond nature that my eyes have seen and not a stranger's. Some have already been disseminated by those who were saved, with my consent given on one condition: that it be emphasized repeatedly that everything was due to the mitzvah, and only thanks to it!!! Blessed is He who sanctifies His name publicly!

But there were a few cases I personally accompanied, and as usual, they accepted upon my advice a strengthening in mitzvot, Shabbat, kashrut, tefillin, and above all the mitzvah of the purity of the Jewish home, as mentioned. Some were very complex cases that required me to provide close halachic guidance, and their hands almost never left mine, and with Hashem's help they excelled in their tasks, and a great salvation came to them. And behold, during Chanukah, they sent me the story of their salvation, which they agreed to publish publicly, and my eyes slightly darkened... What was emphasized there in prominent letters? You guessed right: everything thanks to the Segulah of the note in the Chanukiah! Yes, they added a few words briefly about the good commitments they made, after all. But mainly, mainly what was emphasized in the headline and content: I did the Segulah of the Chanukiah and the Segulah worked! There are no good commitments here! There are no mitzvot! There are no prayers!

Can it be imagined that a couple who approached a specialist professor and with Hashem's kindness he prepared them with the wisdom Hashem granted him remedies and cures and they were saved and blessed, that they would thank the guard standing at the entrance of the hospital, with all due respect, and tell him: everything is thanks to you?! In the same manner, and all the more so, how can a Jew attribute any significance to a Segulah, any Segulah! Even an authorized one, and all the more so a Segulah of this kind, which isn't authorized, and attribute to it the reason for the miracle, instead of giving precedence and credit to our eternal Segulah: There is no Segulah like the Torah! And no Segulah greater than strengthening in the observance of its commandments. This is an unparalleled injustice, also involving preventing a true Kiddush Hashem, had they publicized the salvation due to strengthening in mitzvot.

What then, are you asking?! A. There are abundantly many Segulot related to Chanukah, in general, and they are original and authorized from the mouths of scholars and experts and from books and scribes. B. And most importantly, and perhaps I'll offer it as compensation to those planning to write a note this year, there is a much simpler Segulah, much more effective, and it is indeed mentioned in books. To stand before the burning candles, especially during the first half-hour that they are supposed to burn according to halacha, and to pray and ask with full mouth for all needed things, especially on Zos Chanukah, when every Jew's merit while standing in prayer on this day is like the High Priest in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur! As the holy books (authorized and accepted) write.

In general, prayer is known to be demanded, desirable, and beneficial throughout the entire year, every day and every moment and second. "Hashem is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth" (Psalms 145:18) and most importantly! To remember that the most authorized Segulot in the world are, repentance and repair of actions, Torah study, strengthening in the observance of mitzvot and maintaining good commitments, and of course, much prayer and also charity, which have the power to change and remove the evil decree, and reward their observants with being blessed with salvation and mercy. Please, my brothers, give honor to the Torah and its commandments, for from them are the outcomes of life in this world and the world to come.