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#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>Maamer Mordechai 34:5.</ref> However, it is permissible to recite [[Selichot]] earlier in the night as long as one is sure not to start before [[Chatzot]] (halachic midnight).<ref> The Magen Avraham 565:5 quotes the Arizal as saying that one should not say [[Selichot]], particularly the 13 [[middot]] of rachamim, prior to [[Chatzot]] at night. Similarly, [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1167&st=&pgnum=68 Rav Moshe Zachuto in Sht Ramaz 30] writes that it is important to only say selichot after chatzot. The Birkei Yosef 581:1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9, Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 2 and Mishna Brurah 565:12 agree.</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>Maamer Mordechai 34:5.</ref> However, it is permissible to recite [[Selichot]] earlier in the night as long as one is sure not to start before [[Chatzot]] (halachic midnight).<ref> The Magen Avraham 565:5 quotes the Arizal as saying that one should not say [[Selichot]], particularly the 13 [[middot]] of rachamim, prior to [[Chatzot]] at night. Similarly, [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1167&st=&pgnum=68 Rav Moshe Zachuto in Sht Ramaz 30] writes that it is important to only say selichot after chatzot. The Birkei Yosef 581:1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9, Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 2 and Mishna Brurah 565:12 agree.</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]]. Kaf HaChaim 581:1,2, and Maamer Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:4 hold that one should only say [[Selichot]] after [[Chatzot]] and if one had a minhag to say it earlier one should change the minhag. Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 2-3) as well as Yechave Daat 1:46 and his son in Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9 agree that it forbidden to say [[Selichot]] before [[Chatzot]], which he clearly spells out is 12 halachic hours after midday which is 6 halachic hours after sunrise. Shaare [[Teshuvah]] 581:1 quotes the Birkei Yosef 588:4 that if you find yourself in a [[minyan]] saying [[Selichot]] before [[chatzot]], that you shouldn't answer to the 13 [[middot]] </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]]. Kaf HaChaim 581:1,2, and Maamer Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:4 hold that one should only say [[Selichot]] after [[Chatzot]] and if one had a minhag to say it earlier one should change the minhag. Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 2-3) as well as Yechave Daat 1:46 and his son in Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 9 agree that it forbidden to say [[Selichot]] before [[Chatzot]], which he clearly spells out is 12 halachic hours after midday which is 6 halachic hours after sunrise. Shaare [[Teshuvah]] 581:1 quotes the Birkei Yosef 588:4 that if you find yourself in a [[minyan]] saying [[Selichot]] before [[chatzot]], that you shouldn't answer to the 13 [[middot]] </ref>
##Some say one may say [[Selichot]] according to when [[Chatzot]] is in [[Israel]], however majority of halachic authorities disagree.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim beginning) brings two opinions without drawing a conclusion. In the English edition of Yalkut Yosef (vol 14 pg 49 in note 4), the author writes clearly in name of Rav Ovadyah that one may not rely on this leniency and each place must not say [[Selichot]] prior to [[chatzot]] in that locale. Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 4) writes clearly that this isn't an acceptable leniency. Magen Avot (Orach Chaim fn. 437) refers to Darchei David who finds additional room for leniency to uphold the Portugese custom to do Selichot at night.</ref>
##Some say one may say [[Selichot]] according to when [[Chatzot]] is in [[Israel]], however majority of halachic authorities disagree.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim beginning) brings two opinions without drawing a conclusion. In the English edition of Yalkut Yosef (vol 14 pg 49 in note 4), the author writes clearly in name of Rav Ovadyah that one may not rely on this leniency and each place must not say [[Selichot]] prior to [[chatzot]] in that locale. Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim, pg 4) writes clearly that this isn't an acceptable leniency.</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. In Iggerot Moshe OC 2:105, Rav Moshe permits under extenuating circumstances to recite [[selichot]] after 1/3 of the night has passed. [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>
#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. In Iggerot Moshe OC 2:105, Rav Moshe permits under extenuating circumstances to recite [[selichot]] after 1/3 of the night has passed. [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>
#On Erev Rosh HaShana one should make an extra effort to get up early to say Selichot before [[Olot HaShachar]].<ref>Maamer Mordechai 34:5 </ref>
#On Erev Rosh HaShana one should make an extra effort to get up early to say Selichot before [[Olot HaShachar]].<ref>Maamer Mordechai 34:5 </ref>
#One who finds himself in a shul where [[Selichot]] are being recited before midnight should not recite the yud gimmel [[middot]] along with the congregation.<ref>Shaare [[Teshuva]] 581:1 quoting Birkei Yosef </ref>
#Some communities, such as the Spanish-Portugese of London and Amsterdam, recited a condensed version of Selichot after Arvit before Kaddish Titkabal. This custom is frowned upon by Poskim like the [[Chida]], who argue one who finds himself in a shul where [[Selichot]] are being recited before midnight should not recite the yud gimmel [[middot]] along with the congregation. Instead, he should remain silent or recite Tehillim.<ref>Shaare [[Teshuva]] 581:1 quoting Birkei Yosef, Orach Chaim 581:1. See Keter Shem Tov vol. 5 page 13 who notes how the custom has no source in early Poskim and seems to just be a means of keeping the custom of Selichot alive for those whose inability to attend early in the morning will result in the obliteration of the custom. At the same time, Rav Gaguine notes, the communities in London and Amsterdam have no hand in Kabbalah, which is the source of the insistence not to recite Selichot before chatzot, in the first place. Therefore, there is no reason for them to change their practice due to other Poskim's Kabbalistic concerns. In those locales, it is anyway too cold to get up early in the morning, unlike Spain, so they also do Selichot at 7:00AM. Magen Avot (Orach Chaim fn. 437) refers to Darchei David who finds additional room for leniency to uphold the Spanish-Portuguese custom to do Selichot at night after Arvit.</ref>
#Although one shouldn't say the Yud Gimmel [[Middot]] before [[chatzot]] of the night, one is permitted to listen to them via a recording in order to practice the words and the tunes.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 20. See also page 21 where he writes that if one hears the 13 [[middot]] or [[kaddish]] via a live feed, he should answer, but if it isn't live then he doesn't answer. </ref>
#Although one shouldn't say the Yud Gimmel [[Middot]] before [[chatzot]] of the night, one is permitted to listen to them via a recording in order to practice the words and the tunes.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim page 20. See also page 21 where he writes that if one hears the 13 [[middot]] or [[kaddish]] via a live feed, he should answer, but if it isn't live then he doesn't answer. </ref>


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