The Origin of the Chai Rotel Segulah – From the Holy Arizal to Our Days

Anyone who has ever passed through the courtyard of the tziun of the Rashbi in Meron on the night of Lag BaOmer has not forgotten the sight: dozens of distribution stations, thousands of cups being filled again and again, tens of thousands of Jews drinking wine, grape juice, and water in the name of the Rashbi. This is the Chai Rotel segulah.

An ancient minhag, accepted in all Jewish communities, whose greatness and the yeshuot it brings have been testified to by the greatest tzaddikim. But where does it begin? What is the root of this minhag? In this article, we will trace the sources, from the holy Arizal to our days.

The Gematria of "Chai" – Eighteen Rotel

The word "Chai" in gematria is eighteen (Chet=8, Yud=10). "Rotel" is an ancient Aramaic-Arabic measure of volume, about three liters. 18 rotel = about fifty-four liters of beverage.

The simple explanation is that it is a large but not impossible measure of beverage that could be distributed to those coming to the tziun of the Rashbi. But the depth of the matter lies in the gematria of "Chai" – for all the aspects of the minhag are to draw down life from the Rashbi to the Jewish people. The life of bnei chayei u'mzonei (children, life, sustenance), a life of health.

The Holy Arizal in Meron

Regarding the holy Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi, it is brought in the writings of his student Rabbi Chaim Vital (in "Shaar HaKavanot") that he would ascend to the tziun of the Rashbi in Meron on Lag BaOmer and stay there for several days. There he would participate in the joy of the day, sing niggunim with his students, and learn from the secrets of Torah.

It is quoted in the name of the holy Arizal who said about Meron on Lag BaOmer:

"For whoever comes there on the night of the Rashbi's hilula – nothing is lost from his prayer"

From the students of the holy Arizal, and especially Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi who was the head of the yeshiva of the Kabbalists of Tzfat, the minhag of ascending to Meron on Lag BaOmer with the distribution of beverages spread – the seed of the Chai Rotel minhag.

"Taamei HaMinhagim" of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Sperling

The classic book of Jewish customs, "Taamei HaMinhagim", authored by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Sperling of Lviv about one hundred and fifty years ago, is one of the important sources that document the Chai Rotel minhag. There it is written:

"And there is an ancient Jewish minhag to distribute 18 rotel of wine or another beverage on the day of the hilula of the Rashbi, may his memory be a blessing, on the night of Lag BaOmer in Meron, and it is a great segulah for those whose marriages have not been blessed with viable offspring"

He continues and tells of several childless couples who separated Chai Rotel on Lag BaOmer and were blessed with viable offspring within that same year.

The Admor of Bobov in His Historic Letter

One of the most well-known stories about the Chai Rotel segulah is told about the Admor Rabbi Ben Tzion of Bobov, may his merit protect us, who during the days of exile in Poland sent a special letter to his chassidim in the Land of Israel. In the letter, he requested that they distribute Chai Rotel at the tziun of the Rashbi on Lag BaOmer for a couple among his chassidim who had been childless for many years.

His chassidim did as he said, and in that same year – the couple was blessed with a baby boy.

This story became publicized and caused thousands more Jews from all over the world to turn to the organizers in Meron to request that they distribute Chai Rotel on their behalf.

The Chida and Additional Poskim

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai – the holy Chida quotes the minhag in his book "Moreh B'Etzba" (Siman 8), and there he explains the importance of distributing the beverage to the distinguished and to the poor on the night of the hilula.

Rabbi Avraham son of the Gra, the Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Palagi, Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer author of "Kaf HaChaim" – all note the greatness of the segulah and strengthen its importance.

Why Specifically a Beverage?

There are several accepted explanations for this question:

• The Torah is compared to water – "There is no water but Torah." The beverage distributed symbolizes the light of the Torah of the Rashbi spreading throughout the world.
• Joy in wine – "There is no joy but in wine." The day of the hilula is a day of joy, and wine symbolizes the joy of the Torah.
• Life – A beverage is a basic necessity for life. Giving a beverage to the multitudes in the name of the tzaddik draws down life to all of Israel.
• Cup of blessing – According to Kabbalah, every cup of beverage that goes out in the name of a tzaddik contains the power of blessing and abundance.

Moreinu HaRav shlita and the Chai Rotel Tradition

For over forty years, Moreinu HaRav Berland shlita has fulfilled the Chai Rotel minhag in Meron on the night of Lag BaOmer. Every single year, thousands of names for prayer are submitted, and every year unbelievable stories of yeshuot and blessings of children are told.

Moreinu HaRav shlita emphasizes that every Jew who participates in the distribution of Chai Rotel – even in thought and intention alone – is included in this great merit.

How Can You Participate This Year?

You can participate in the Chai Rotel distribution of Shuvu Banim on the night of Lag BaOmer 5786 in Meron by donating and submitting names for prayer. The names are submitted by rabbinical emissaries during the distribution, and are included in the prayer of Moreinu HaRav shlita during the holy hadlakah (bonfire lighting).

➤ To donate Chai Rotel and submit names for prayer

We have a tradition: Whoever gives Chai Rotel in honor of the Rashbi on Lag BaOmer – merits a great yeshua (salvation), amen.