Additions In Teffilah On Chanukah

Halacha Moment
Nov 29, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Dec 16, 2025

The Daily Halacha Moment - Additions in Teffilah During Chanukah 🕎

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

What additions do we add to our teffilot on Chanukah?

Answer:

There are several things that we add to our tefillot during Chanukah, aside from the well-known addition of Al HaNissim, which thanks Hashem for the miracles performed for our ancestors.

On all eight days of Chanukah, the complete Hallel is recited with a Berachah. [1] This is a unique time in the Jewish calendar when we say Hallel daily, expressing our gratitude and joy for the miraculous events that occurred. Unlike on other days when only a partial Hallel may be recited, the full text is said, highlighting the importance of acknowledging Hashem’s open miracles in our lives.

Women are exempt from reciting Hallel on Chanukah. However, if a Sefardic woman wishes to recite Hallel, she may do so, but without a berachah. [2] This distinction emphasizes both the voluntary nature of women’s participation in certain time-bound positive commandments and the respect for the halachic principle that a berachah should not be recited on something that is optional for the person saying it.

Similarly, on Chanukah, several parts of the daily prayers are omitted, including Tachanun, Tzidkatecha, and Tzidduk HaDin. [3]

After reciting the Shir Shel Hayom (the Psalm corresponding to the day of the week), one should recite Mizmor Shir Chanukat Habayit. [4] This psalm is specifically connected to the dedication of the Holy Temple and the idea of consecration, linking the themes of Chanukah to the spiritual significance of dedicating and sanctifying our homes and lives to Hashem. Reciting it helps us connect the historical miracle of the Menorah with our personal spiritual dedication.

Sources:

[1]. Shulchan Aruch 683:1.

[2]. Yabia Omer 6:45; Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah, p. 213; Yechaveh Daat 1:78; Ohr LeTzion, vol. 4, 49:1. See also Minchat Shlomo, Tinyana 58:5 and Kovetz Teshuvot 3:105.

[3]. Rama 683:1.

[4]. Birkei Yosef 693:3; Ben Ish Chai, Ki Tisa 1:17; Halichot Olam, vol. 1, p. 245; Yalkut Yosef, Chanukah, p. 622. See Nehar Mitzrayim, Tefillah §11 and Shemesh U’Magen, vol. 4, O.C. §23.

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