The Segulah of the 9th of Kislev represents one of the most powerful times in the Kabbalistic calendar, rooted in the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Marimon HaSfaradi (of blessed memory) as recorded in his seminal work Brit Menucha (Covenant of Rest).

This segulah, often referred to as the “Ninth of the Ninth of the Ninth”, derives its power from the alignment of multiple layers of the number nine, creating an unprecedented channel of divine abundance and blessing.

The foundational teaching reveals that according to many Kabbalists throughout the ages, Kislev is the 9th month of the Hebrew year, marked by the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius (Mazal Keshet). The significance of this month extends far beyond simple numerology.

It represents the 9th Sefira in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, Yesod, which means “Foundation.” Yesod serves as the critical bridge between the higher divine realms (Binah) and the material world (Malkhut), functioning as the vessel through which all spiritual energies descend into manifestation.

The Alignment of Nines: A Rare Calendar Convergence

As many readers already know, Rabbi Chaim Vital, the renowned disciple of the Holy Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria), testified to this powerful segulah in the introduction to his groundbreaking work Eitz Chaim (Tree of Life). He brought down from the Brit Menucha a teaching that occurs once every fifty years, when an extraordinary alignment takes place:

“Once every fifty years, the ninth year of yovel arrives and in it the ninth month, and in it the ninth day, and in it the ninth hour, whereupon all the wheels in the upper worlds are agitated and ‘Your good treasure house upon us do open’ is fulfilled.”

This teaching was itself revealed by the Prophet Elijah (Eliyahu Hanavi) to an early-generation Tzaddik (R’ Avraham Marimon HaSefaradi), conferring upon it the highest spiritual authority in the Jewish mystical tradition. The students of the Arizal were reportedly so moved by the holiness of the Brit Menucha that they feared even mentioning the sefer where this secret is recorded.

Likewise, the Holy Chidah (Rabbi Chaim David Azulai) wrote concerning the Brit Menucha: “this sefer is filled with divine secrets.”

Now this requires some attention: we are not in the ninth year of the Yovel. It could be that R’ Chaim Vital and R’ Avraham Marimon meant any year and the “yovel” would be a scriber’s error (happens a lot). Either way I believe the principle holds true in any given year (the internet is abuzz with this segulah at this moment).

The Nine Minutes of Ratzon (Time of Will)

The practical application of this segulah centers on identifying the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, a window that traditionally lasts approximately nine minutes. During this exceptional time, known as Et Ratzon (a time of Divine favor), the gates of heaven open to receive prayers with unprecedented power.

And this will happens this coming Shabbat Parashat Vayetze!

Rabbi Avraham Azulai of blessed memory, in his work Chesed Le’Avraham (Mercy to Abraham), provides the kabbalistic explanation: “I saw in the book ‘Brit Menucha’ that the ninth month in the ninth day on the ninth hour is a time of great success and the reason for this is because it is the ninth wheel of the Yesod and is a pipe of abundance.”

Some people cite the Ramban (Nachmanides) that he mentions an idea related to this Segulah, writing that “the ninth year of the Jubilee, on the ninth month, on the ninth day, in the ninth hour is time of special will,” and moreover, “It is a time of joy and gladness.” However this seems to be a mistake as I was unable to find a source for this teaching.

Even if not all the 9s are aligned for this segulah, I believe we can still experience a very powerful effect from praying at this particular time, especially since many people will be taking advantage of the moment.

Calculating the Ninth Hour

The calculation of the ninth hour requires understanding halachic hours (seasonal hours in Jewish law), which differ from standard 60-minute hours. The Hebrew day is divided into twelve equal halachic hours based on the local sunrise and sunset. Different traditions exist for this calculation:

According to the Vilna Gaon (Shitas HaGra): The nine halachic hours are counted from sunrise to sunset, divided equally into 12 parts

According to the Magen Avraham: The hours are calculated from daybreak (typically 72-90 minutes before sunrise) to nightfall (72-90 minutes after sunset)

The ninth hour begins at different times depending on location and the time of year. Resources like myzmanim.com provide exact local times by entering one’s city, allowing individuals to identify the precise moment for prayer.

Spiritual Practices During This Sacred Window

During these nine auspicious minutes of this Segulah, many sources recommend several powerful practices to draw down the abundance and blessings available at this rare time. It’s best to start before the expected moment, and end after it so we take full advantage of the 9 minutes.

According to many sources, this is the optimal time to bring all personal, familial, and communal needs before the Divine. The gates of heaven are uniquely open to receive petitions for:

• Yeshuot (salvations and miraculous interventions)
• Refuot (healing and good health)
• Parnassah (livelihood and sustenance)
• Shidduchim (finding one’s soulmate)
• Marital harmony and fertility
• Children and nachas (pride and joy from children)
• Success in all endeavors

Approximate times this year:

• Tzfat  1:08pm – 1:17pm
• Jerusalem 1:09pm – 1:18pm
• Sydney, Australia 1:51pm – 2:00pm
• London, UK 1:04pm – 1:13pm
• Montréal, Canada 1:12pm – 1:21pm
• Toronto, Canada 1:38pm – 1:47pm
• Manhattan, NY 1:19pm – 1:28pm
• Brooklyn, NY 1:22pm – 1:31pm
• Monsey, NY 1:22pm – 1:31pm
• North Jersey, NJ 1:21pm – 1:30pm
• South Jersey, NJ 1:21pm – 1:30pm
• Miami, FL 1:58pm – 2:07pm
• Fort Lauderdale, FL 1:58pm – 2:07pm
• Detroit, MI 1:56pm – 2:05pm
• Los Angeles, CA 1:25pm – 1:34pm
• Mexico city, Mexico 2:19pm – 2:28pm

The Connection to Yesod and Binah

The underlying kabbalistic principle reveals that on the 9th of Kislev, we experience Yesod of Yesod, a nested manifestation where the 9th Sefira reflects back upon itself with extraordinary intensity. This creates a direct connection upward through all the higher Sefirot to Binah, the Divine source of all nourishment and abundance for the world.

In Jewish Tradition, certain actions or utterances (called Segulot / segulah in singular) are understood to possess inherent spiritual properties that work through channels beyond material causality. The Or HaChaim Hakadosh (Rabbi Chaim ben Attar), one of the most revered Kabbalists, defines a segulah as “a charm that supersedes logic.” Indeed, in this case, Binah is very much the “above logic” of the 6 lower faculties.

It’s also worth mentioned that the month of Kislev is illuminated by the lights of Chanukah, which illuminates the final week of Kislev and are known as the “Children of Binah” (בני בינה), carrying forward throughout the Hebrew year the special resonance of the Divine Mother’s blessing that opens on the 9th.

Monthly and Yearly Extensions

While the ninth hour of the ninth day represents the peak opening for this segulah, the tradition teaches that the entire month of Kislev carries enhanced spiritual potential. From the 9th through the 15th of Kislev (when the moon waxes and reaches fullness), the revelation of Yesod’s light remains particularly strong, offering continued opportunity to tap into this abundance.

The teaching further indicates that even if one misses the nine-minute window on the 9th, the gates remain accessible throughout the month of Kislev, though with diminishing intensity. The full moon on the 15th Kislev provides a secondary gate, revealing the light of the entire month including that opened on the 9th.

The numerical significance of nine cannot be overlooked. In the Zohar we learn that the letter Tet (ט) has the numerical value of nine and represents beneficence, particularly “hidden beneficence.” The Talmud teaches that one who sees the letter Tet in a dream receives a sign of good omen.

Nine months represents the pregnancy period in the womb, the time of hidden, internal development before manifestation into the world. The number nine therefore represents not completion in a final sense, but completion of a cycle that immediately births something new. It is the moment before emergence, the final gathering of forces before expression.

The alignment of the 9th day, 9th month, 9th hour, creates a triple amplification of this principle of transmission, generation, and the manifestation of hidden potential into the world.

While we might not be in the 9th year of Yovel, I believe this segulah still holds power, and we should take hold of this opportunity and make the most out of it.

May your blessings always be revealed.