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#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>
#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>
#There are no [[Selichot]] on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:2 writes that there are no [[Selichot]] on [[Shabbat]]. </ref>
===Who is Obligated in Selichot===
===Who is Obligated in Selichot===
====Women====
====Women====
#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're 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>
#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're 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>
#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>


====Children====
====Children====
# One should try to initiate his sons in the [[Minhag]] of reciting Selichot but without causing them distress. Since these are auspicious days for prayer, one should at least train them to recite the prayers themselves, if not early in the morning/late at night. Some say [Ashkenazim] should ensure to bring them on the first night in any case.<ref>Mekadesh Yisrael (Yamim Noraim, Selichot 60)</ref>
 
#One should try to initiate his sons in the [[Minhag]] of reciting Selichot but without causing them distress. Since these are auspicious days for prayer, one should at least train them to recite the prayers themselves, if not early in the morning/late at night. Some say [Ashkenazim] should ensure to bring them on the first night in any case.<ref>Mekadesh Yisrael (Yamim Noraim, Selichot 60)</ref>


===When Should Selichot be Said?===
===When Should Selichot be Said?===
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https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/906830/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-omitting-tachanun-in-selichos-when-there-is-a-bris-in-shul/ See minutes 13-14.</ref>.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/906830/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-omitting-tachanun-in-selichos-when-there-is-a-bris-in-shul/ See minutes 13-14.</ref>.
#If one is reciting Selichot in the house of an [[Avelut|Avel]] during [[Shiva]]. <ref>Taz Orach Chaim Siman 133, Pri Megadim Siman 133:47 Siman Katan 9.</ref>


===Selichot With a Minyan that Uses a Different Nusach===
===Selichot With a Minyan that Uses a Different Nusach===
# Some say one may not recite Selichot of a different tradition instead of his own, such as Ashkenazim reciting Selichot with Sephardim and vice versa, as we are all obligated to preserve the traditions of our families/communities. However, if one personally finds the other community's version to be inspirational, he may join their Minyan on condition that he also recites the Selichot of his own traditoin, as well.<ref>Teshuvot Avigdor HaLevi (Nebenzal) OC page 406, 581:4. The footnotes ad loc. note how Rav Yaakov Ariel permits it. Rav Shalom Meshash (Shemesh uMagen vol. 4 Orach Chaim 72:1) also rules that one must recite the Nusach of his community, even if he, for example, is a Sephardi student in an Ashkenazi yeshiva. Rav Mordechai Lebhar (Magen Avot, Orach Chaim 581:1) questions why this is so, since it's not part of the official seder hatefillah and is just Tefillot and Bakashot to Hashem. As long as it increases one's Kavanna, what could be wrong, he asks.</ref>
 
#Some say one may not recite Selichot of a different tradition instead of his own, such as Ashkenazim reciting Selichot with Sephardim and vice versa, as we are all obligated to preserve the traditions of our families/communities. However, if one personally finds the other community's version to be inspirational, he may join their Minyan on condition that he also recites the Selichot of his own traditoin, as well.<ref>Teshuvot Avigdor HaLevi (Nebenzal) OC page 406, 581:4. The footnotes ad loc. note how Rav Yaakov Ariel permits it. Rav Shalom Meshash (Shemesh uMagen vol. 4 Orach Chaim 72:1) also rules that one must recite the Nusach of his community, even if he, for example, is a Sephardi student in an Ashkenazi yeshiva. Rav Mordechai Lebhar (Magen Avot, Orach Chaim 581:1) questions why this is so, since it's not part of the official seder hatefillah and is just Tefillot and Bakashot to Hashem. As long as it increases one's Kavanna, what could be wrong, he asks.</ref>


==LeDavid Hashem Ori==
==LeDavid Hashem Ori==
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#Ashkenazim say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Mariv]], however, some say it after [[mincha]].<ref>Mateh Efraim 551:6 writes that LeDavid Hashem Ori in the evening should be said after [[Mincha]]. This is also the opinion of Mishna Brurah 581:2. However, Elef HaMagen 581:10 holds that LeDavid Hashem Ori should be said after [[Mariv]]. Shalmei Moed (pg 21) in name of Rav Shlomo Zalman writes that one should follow the minhag of the Tzibbur one is praying with. Shalmei Moed (pg 21) says that the minhag Ashkenaz is to say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Mariv]] (such is how the Artscroll Siddur has it). </ref>
#Ashkenazim say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Mariv]], however, some say it after [[mincha]].<ref>Mateh Efraim 551:6 writes that LeDavid Hashem Ori in the evening should be said after [[Mincha]]. This is also the opinion of Mishna Brurah 581:2. However, Elef HaMagen 581:10 holds that LeDavid Hashem Ori should be said after [[Mariv]]. Shalmei Moed (pg 21) in name of Rav Shlomo Zalman writes that one should follow the minhag of the Tzibbur one is praying with. Shalmei Moed (pg 21) says that the minhag Ashkenaz is to say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Mariv]] (such is how the Artscroll Siddur has it). </ref>
#For Sephardim it’s also proper to say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Shacharit]], especially since some Sephardim recite it all year long.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah pg 24 writes that even for sephardim it’s proper to say LeDavid Hashem after [[Shacharit]]. </ref>
#For Sephardim it’s also proper to say LeDavid Hashem Ori after [[Shacharit]], especially since some Sephardim recite it all year long.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah pg 24 writes that even for sephardim it’s proper to say LeDavid Hashem after [[Shacharit]]. </ref>
# [[Moroccans]] also recite LeDavid at Shacharit and Arvit from Rosh Chodesh Elul until [[Hoshana Rabba]] including Shabbatot. The custom is to recite it before Kaveh at Shacharit, but it has become common to postpone until after Aleinu. On Shabbat, it is supposed to be recited between Kaveh and Ribbi Chananya, but it is often similarly postponed until after Aleinu. Many have the custom to recite it all year long prior to Arvit.<ref>Magen Avot (Orach Chaim 581:1)</ref>
#[[Moroccans]] also recite LeDavid at Shacharit and Arvit from Rosh Chodesh Elul until [[Hoshana Rabba]] including Shabbatot. The custom is to recite it before Kaveh at Shacharit, but it has become common to postpone until after Aleinu. On Shabbat, it is supposed to be recited between Kaveh and Ribbi Chananya, but it is often similarly postponed until after Aleinu. Many have the custom to recite it all year long prior to Arvit.<ref>Magen Avot (Orach Chaim 581:1)</ref>


==Blowing Shofar==
==Blowing Shofar==
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#The Ashkenazic minhag is to blow the [[Shofar]] after [[Shacharit]] during [[Elul]]. Some have the practice to start on the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]], while others start on the second day of [[Rosh Chodesh]].<ref>The Rosh ([[Rosh Hashana]] 4:14) quotes Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer, which says that Chazal established a practice of blowing the [[shofar]] on [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]] because a [[shofar]] was blown when Moshe ascended Har Sinai on [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]]. It continues that the [[shofar]] is blown in order to motivate Bnei Yisrael to do [[teshuva]] and to confuse the Satan. The Rosh adds that this is the basis for the Ashkenazic minhag of blowing [[shofar]] during [[Elul]]. The Rama Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the minhag is to blow the [[shofar]] during [[Elul]] after [[Shacharit]], and some do so also after [[Maariv]]. Mishna Brurah 581:3 writes that some start on the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] and some start from the second day of [[Rosh Chodesh]].</ref>
#The Ashkenazic minhag is to blow the [[Shofar]] after [[Shacharit]] during [[Elul]]. Some have the practice to start on the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]], while others start on the second day of [[Rosh Chodesh]].<ref>The Rosh ([[Rosh Hashana]] 4:14) quotes Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer, which says that Chazal established a practice of blowing the [[shofar]] on [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]] because a [[shofar]] was blown when Moshe ascended Har Sinai on [[Rosh Chodesh]] [[Elul]]. It continues that the [[shofar]] is blown in order to motivate Bnei Yisrael to do [[teshuva]] and to confuse the Satan. The Rosh adds that this is the basis for the Ashkenazic minhag of blowing [[shofar]] during [[Elul]]. The Rama Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the minhag is to blow the [[shofar]] during [[Elul]] after [[Shacharit]], and some do so also after [[Maariv]]. Mishna Brurah 581:3 writes that some start on the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] and some start from the second day of [[Rosh Chodesh]].</ref>
#Many Sephardic communities have adopted this practice and blow every day of Elul during [[Kaddish]] at the conclusion of Selichot right before Titkabal, as well as during the recitation of the 13 Middot. Nevertheless, one must be careful not to miss reciting the 13 Middot because he is busy blowing the Shofar, and it shouldn't be done if it will wake up sleeping neighbors.<ref>Kaf HaChaim 581:13, Mekor Chaim 209:1, Chazon Ovadia (Yamim Noraim, page 24), [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=55401&st=&pgnum=88 Yalkut Yosef (Yamim Noraim, page 46)], Magen Avot ad loc, Laws of Holidays by R' Yonatan Nacson page 367. See [https://ph.yhb.org.il/plus/15-02-01/ Pninei Halacha].</ref>
#Many Sephardic communities have adopted this practice and blow every day of Elul during [[Kaddish]] at the conclusion of Selichot right before Titkabal, as well as during the recitation of the 13 Middot. Nevertheless, one must be careful not to miss reciting the 13 Middot because he is busy blowing the Shofar, and it shouldn't be done if it will wake up sleeping neighbors.<ref>Kaf HaChaim 581:13, Mekor Chaim 209:1, Chazon Ovadia (Yamim Noraim, page 24), [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=55401&st=&pgnum=88 Yalkut Yosef (Yamim Noraim, page 46)], Magen Avot ad loc, Laws of Holidays by R' Yonatan Nacson page 367. See [https://ph.yhb.org.il/plus/15-02-01/ Pninei Halacha].</ref>
# Ashkenazim specifically do not blow the Shofar on Erev Rosh Hashanah, but Sepharadim do not distinguish.<ref>Rama Orach Chaim 581:3, Magen Avot ad loc.</ref>
#Ashkenazim specifically do not blow the Shofar on Erev Rosh Hashanah, but Sepharadim do not distinguish.<ref>Rama Orach Chaim 581:3, Magen Avot ad loc.</ref>
#One does not blow the [[Shofar]] during [[Elul]] if one is davening by oneself. The [[shofar]] is only blown with a [[minyan]].<ref>Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 12:48 </ref>
#One does not blow the [[Shofar]] during [[Elul]] if one is davening by oneself. The [[shofar]] is only blown with a [[minyan]].<ref>Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 12:48 </ref>
#If for some reason a [[minyan]] did not blow the [[Shofar]] after [[Shacharit]] they should blow it after [[Mincha]].<ref>Sh"t Iggerot Moshe 4:21, Aruch Hashulchan 581:12 </ref>
#If for some reason a [[minyan]] did not blow the [[Shofar]] after [[Shacharit]] they should blow it after [[Mincha]].<ref>Sh"t Iggerot Moshe 4:21, Aruch Hashulchan 581:12 </ref>
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