What is the exact wording of “Al Hanissim” on Hanukkah?

Question: Are there particular words that the Ben Ish Chai is careful about in the wording of the Hanukkah prayer?

Answer:

Yes.

The Ben Ish Chai emphasizes several details in the wording of “Al Hanissim”:

1. One should say “Chashmonai” with a chirik.

2. One should say “leshakcham Toratecha ulha’aviram mechukei retzonecha”.

3. One should say “vekave’u shemonat yemei Hanukkah elu”.

In addition, he notes that when saying the psalm “Aromimcha Hashem ki dilitani” before “Hashem Melech” in Shacharit, there is no need to begin with the words “Mizmor shir chanukat habayit leDavid,” even though they appear in some siddurim.

These details reflect the prayer text that the Ben Ish Chai was careful about.