Practical Halachos of the Yomim Noraim

Written by Rabbi Simcha Stender

Reviewed and Approved by Harav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita

Selichos

v  Birchas HaTorah should be recited before Selichos, even when arriving late.[1]

v  When the tzibbur recites the Yud-Gimmel Middos, one should join them, and then return to where he left off.[2]

• If one arrives late to Selichos, it is best to say Ashrei and then join the tzibbur wherever they are holding.[3]

Mikvah and Davening

v  It is best not to go to the mikvah on Erev Rosh Hashanah or Erev Yom Kippur earlier than one hour before chatzos (around 12:00 noon in the Tri-State area). On Erev Yom Kippur, it should be done before Minchah.[4]

v  On Erev Rosh Hashanah, one immersion suffices; on Erev Yom Kippur it is best to immerse three times.[5]

v  Omission of HaMelech HaKadosh requires restarting Shemoneh Esrei. If there is doubt, when the brachah is different than usual (e.g., uv’chein is recited), it may be assumed it was said; otherwise, it cannot be assumed.[6]

v  Other missed additions in Shemoneh Esrei are not repeated once the Shem Hashem of the brachah has been recited.[7]

v  Standing is ideal when the Aron HaKodesh is open; if difficult, sitting is permitted, though leaning is preferable. [8]

v  When bowing fully, something should be placed between the head and the floor, and a tallis may be used for this purpose (i.e., the papers distributed are meant for the head, not for the knees).[9]

Rosh Hashanah halachos

v  The Shem Hashem may be recited in the Yehi Ratzon, provided it is said with proper kavanah (as always).[10]

v  Even if the siman is seen but not eaten, the Yehi Ratzon should still be recited. If the siman is not seen at all, the Yehi Ratzon may nevertheless be recited.[11]

v  Speaking is not permitted from the start of tekios until after the final tekios following davening. Asher Yatzar may be recited after the first set of tekios.[12]

v  There is an inyan not to sleep on Rosh Hashanah, though brief dozing is not considered sleep.[13]

v  The Arizal permits sleeping after chatzos, and if necessary, one may take a nap.¹³

v  Wasting time is akin to sleeping; a worthy practice is to recite Sefer Tehillim over Rosh Hashanah.¹³

v  Nuts are not eaten on Rosh Hashanah. Many are not makpid if they are cooked into another food and the dish is not identified as nut-based (for example, using nut flour in cooking is generally not an issue).[14]

Erev Yom Kippur

v  Two meals should be eaten on Erev Yom Kippur, one before Minchah and one after. Although the minhag is to wash, many poskim hold there is no chiyuv to do so.[15]

v  If a man is home alone (e.g., his wife is at her parents), he should light and recite the brachah on the candles.[16]

v  Ideally, electric lights should be turned on right before lighting candles, and the brachah recited on both. [17]

v  All married men should light a candle (gezunt licht) to burn through Yom Kippur, in addition to the other candles. If it goes out, it is not a bad sign; after Yom Kippur it should be relit and allowed to finish burning.[18]

v  At havdalah, Borei Me’orei Ha’eish is recited on a fire sourced from a flame that burned throughout Yom Kippur (ner sheshavas). It is best to prepare an additional candle before Yom Kippur for this purpose.[19]

v  There is a mitzvah d’Oraisa to begin Yom Kippur a little before shekiyah.[20]

Yom Kippur halachos

v  Healthy children above age nine should ideally fast through the night and delay breakfast somewhat. Children younger than nine may also fast through the night if they wish but should eat breakfast at the regular time.[21]

v  Netilas yadayim in the morning and after the bathroom is until the bottom knuckles (i.e, the entire finger).[22]

v  If one becomes dirty, the affected area may be washed with cold water, but soap should not be used.[23]

v  After using the bathroom, even if the hands are clean, one may wash until the knuckles because of ruach ra.[24]

v  Mouthwash, stick deodorant, and roll-on deodorant may not be used. Some poskim allow spray deodorant.[25]

v  The harchakos of niddah apply at night; some say they also apply by day, others say they do not. [26]

v  Pills or suppositories may not be taken for minor ailments, such as a headache. If the pain is severe or likely to become severe, medication may be taken. [27] Time-release caffeine pills may be taken before Yom Kippur and have been shown to be effective.

v  Children should not wear leather shoes.[28] Shoes without backs may be worn outside even without an eiruv.[29]

v  Before havdalah, “Baruch HaMavdil…” may be said in order to drink water. Women who wish may recite havdalah themselves before their husbands return from shul.[30]

[1] משנה ברורה סי’ מו ס”ק כז, ועי’ שואלים ודורשים אלול עמ’ כא

[2] אשרי איש ח”ג ר”ה אות יז, שבט הלוי ח”ז סי’ יב אות א

[3] שיעורי הלכה מהגר”ש פעלדער פ’ ט אות ג

[4] משנה ברורה תקפא ס”ק כו, שיעורי הלכה פ’ י אות ד, וע’ כף החיים רס אות ז, חיי אדם קמד סע’ ז מועד לכל חי סי’ יב ס”ק יא

[5] עי’ משנה ברורה תרו ס”ק כא

[6] שו”ע תקפ”ב סע’ א, ב, ומ”ב ס”ק ד,ואם אומר המלך הקדש תוך כדי דיבור וגם אינו מתחיל הברכה אחרת אינו חוזר

[7]  שו”ע רמ”א תקפב ס”ה ומשנה ברורה

[8] שיעורי הלכה פ’ יא אות ז

[9] רמ”א סי’ קלא ס”ח, שבט הקהתי ח”ב סי’ סא

[10] ארחות רבינו ח”ב ליל ראש השנה אות יא, עי’ קובץ הלכות פ’ ז אות טז ובהע’ יט

[11] כף החיים תקפ”ג ס”ק ו

[12] מנחת יצחק ח”ג סי’ מד, ועוד עי’ אליבא דהלכתא קד עמ’ עא

[13] רמ”א תקפג ס”ב ומ”ב , טעמא דקרא ר”ה ד”ה כתב מהרי”ל, רץ כצבי מועדים ח”ג שער י אות ז

 

[14]  כף החיים תקפ”ג ס”ק כח, שיעורי הלכה פ’ יב אות ו

[15] רמ”א סי’ תרח סע’ ד, מנחת חינוך שיג ס”ק טו ד”ה ודע, שבט הלוי ח”ד סי’ נד אות ב

[16] עי’ שיעורי הלכה פ’ יז אות ח, ביאור הלכה סי’ רסג ד”ה בחורים

[17]פסקי תשובות סי’ רסג אות ל, וע’ שבות יצחק נר שבת פ’ ו סע’ ז

[18] רמ”א סי תרי סע’ ד ומ”ב שם, וע’ ערוך השלחן סע’ ו

[19] משנה ברורה סי’ תרכד ס”ק יג, עי’ פסקי תשובות שם אות ז

[20] עי’ שו”ע תרח סע’ א

[21] שו”ע סי תרטז סע’ ב, וע’ קובץ הלכות פ’ ל הע’ ב

[22] שו”ע סי’ תריג סע’ ב

[23] סי’ תריג ס”א, שו”ע תריד ס”א, וע’ קובץ הלכות פ’ לג אות ב

[24] סי’ תריג ס”ג ועי’ במ”ב ס”ק ד, ועי’ אשי ישראל עמ’ תשפט

[25] סי תריד, סי’ תריג, ש”ה פ’ יח אות ה

[26] משנה ברורה תרטו ס”ק א, וע’ ערוך השלחן תרטו

[27] סי’ שכח סע’ לז

[28] שו”ע סי’ תרטז סע’ א

[29] אז נדברו ח”ה סי’ לה, שיעורי הלכה פ’ כא אות ב

[30] שבט הלוי ח”ד סי’ נד ז, תשובות והנהגות ח”ב סי’ שב