Chodesh Elul: Difference between revisions

#The Sephardic minhag is to begin reciting [[Selichot]] from the day after [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]].<ref>The Rosh ([[Rosh Hashana]] 4:14) writes that a number of [[Geonim]] had the minhag of saying [[Selichot]] during the [[Aseret Yemei Teshuva]], while other places said them from [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]] because that is when Moshe was on Har Sinai receiving the second Luchot. Tur Orach Chaim 581 notes that there are three different traditions and adds that the Ashkenaz tradition is to begin on the Saturday Night prior to Rosh Hashanah when Rosh HaShanah begins on Thursday or [[Shabbat]]. If it begins on Monday or Tuesday, [[Selichot]] begin on the Sunday prior to that. While the Rambam ([[Teshuva]] 3:4) follows the minhag of the Geonim, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the Sephardic minhag is to begin reciting [[Selichot]] from [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]]. Mishna Brurah 581:1 explains that Shulchan Aruch means from [[Rosh Chodesh]] and not [[Rosh Chodesh]] itself. Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9, Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 1 agree that such is the Sephardic minhag. This is also quoted by the Arizal in Shaar Hakavanot 89:4, Ravyah 542, Machzor Vitri 323, Kol Bo 65. Meiri Chibur Hateshuva Page 207 says this is what should be done, and adds that [[selichot]] is a partial fulfillment of learning the laws of each [[holidays]] 30 days prior. In Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 1 and Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9 it is explained that the reason for this is that tradition says that [[rosh chodesh]] [[elul]] is the day Moshe went up to Sinai the second time for forty days which were days of [[prayer]] and begging for mercy for the Jewish people, ending on [[Yom Kippur]] which which was the day of atonement. see also Sefer HaManhig Hilchot [[Rosh Hashana]] 1:25 </ref>

#The Ashkenazi custom is to start reciting [[Selichot]] from the Sunday before [[Rosh HaShana]], unless [[Rosh HaShana]] falls out on Monday or Tuesday, in which case, Ashkenazim start from two Sundays before [[Rosh HaShana]].<ref>See previous footnote. Rama Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the minhag Ashekenaz is to start saying [[Selichot]] from the Sunday before [[Rosh HaShana]] unless [[Rosh HaShana]] falls out on Monday or Tuesday, in which case, Ashkenazim start from two Sundays before [[Rosh HaShana]]. Mishna Brurah 581:6 explains that the reason that the preparation is no less than four days is because some had the custom to fast for ten days prior to [[Yom Kippur]], however, since one can’t fast on [[Rosh HaShana]]’s two days, [[Shabbat]] Shuvah, and Erev [[Yom Kippur]], one had to begin fasting four days prior to [[Rosh HaShana]] (see there for other reasons). </ref>

#There are no [[Selichot]] on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:2 writes that there are no [[Selichot]] on [[Shabbat]]. </ref>

 

#Women are not obligated to recite Selichot, as it is only a [[Minhag]]. If they choose to, they must recite Birkot HaTorah first (especially if they are Sephardi).<ref>Halichot Beitah 7:2, Yalkut Yosef (Otzar Dinim leIshah ulaBat 7:6), Mekadesh Yisrael (Yamim Noraim, Selichot 59), Nitei Gavriel (Hilchot Rosh HaShana 10:16*), Piskei Shlomo (vol. 4 page 137). See Rav Avraham Yosef's opening comments [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL7pjgYQhLA here].</ref>

#In some European communities, it was common for women to attend Selichot,<ref>See Magen Avraham 88:3</ref> and, nowadays, some Ashkenazi women try to attend Selichot in the synagogue on the first night or Erev [[Rosh HaShana]] and Erev [[Yom Kippur]].<ref>Nitei Gavriel (Hilchot Rosh HaShana 10:16*), Mekadesh Yisrael (Yamim Noraim, Selichot 59), [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=53004&st=&pgnum=63 Ratz KaTzvi (BeMoadei HaShana vol. 1 1:3:7 page ח)]. See Aderet Tiferet (vol. 7 page 115) about Sephardi ladies in his community.</ref>

#Those congregations which aren't able to rise early to say [[Selichot]], should nonetheless say [[Selichot]], either in the morning before [[Shacharit]] or even in the afternoon before [[Mincha]].<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 6-7), Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 10, Yechave Daat 1:46.</ref>

#Some say one may say [[Selichot]] according to when [[Chatzot]] is in [[Israel]]; however, the majority of halachic authorities disagree.<ref>Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 4) writes clearly that this isn't an acceptable leniency.</ref>

#Some hold that in extenuating circumstances one can say selichot before [[Chatzot]].<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 2:105) writes that although prior to [[Chatzot]] is not the ideal time, there is no prohibition to say [[Selichot]] at such a time, and as a Hora’at Sha’ah, one may be lenient. His proof is Shulchan Aruch O.C. 1:2 who rules that praying at the end of the first third of the night is considered a time of mercy. However, Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Chazon Ovadyah Yamim Nora’im p. 3-6) argues that there is a prohibition based on Kabbalah. He concludes that if the congregation can’t wake up to say [[Selichot]] at night, it may say them during the day before [[Shacharit]] or [[Mincha]]. He clearly spells out [[Chatzot]] is 12 halachic hours after midday which is 6 halachic hours after sunrise. [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5757/nitzavim.html Rav Doniel Neustadt] says this shouldn't be relied upon on a consistent basis.</ref>

#Preferably, [[Selichot]] should be said at the end of the night before [[Olot HaShachar]],<ref>Mishna Brurah (Introduction to 581), Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:5 write that preferably, [[Selichot]] should be said at the end of the night before [[Olot HaShachar]]. </ref> but if one delayed one can say it after [[Olot HaShachar]].<ref>Ma'amar Mordechai 34:5.</ref> As above, however, it is permissible to recite [[Selichot]] earlier in the night as long as one is sure not to start before [[Chatzot]] (halachic midnight).