1) It is important to recite Vidui (the itemization of our
sins) on Erev Yom Kippur within the Tefila of Mincha.
Mincha (with Vidui) should preferably be
recited before the eating of the Erev Yom Kippur afternoon meal. The reason for
this is that the sages were worried that one would Chas V’Shalom choke and pass
away without the opportunity to recite the Vidui.
If one davened Mincha and forgot to add the Vidui, and already
went home and ate the meal, he/she should repeat the Vidui close to sunset, and
not right when he/she remembers. When repeating the Vidui, it is not necessary
to repeat the entire Shemona Esrei, as Vidui is an independent Tefilah that may
be recited on its own, even though ideally it was inserted into the Shemona
Esrei. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal.)
If one forgot "Hamelech HaKadosh" in Shemona
Esrei, and only realized this after completing the entire Shemona Esrei and
Vidui, there is no need to repeat the Vidui again when repeating the Shemona
Esrei (as it must be repeated due to his/her forgetting those important
words). However, if one wants to repeat the Vidui,
he/she may do so. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach. See also
Shulchan Aruch Siman 582:1)
The ideal way to perform Vidui is to itemize each
and every sin that one can remember doing. One should try and stretch out their
Vidui for as long as possible, and try and do it in a heartfelt
way.(See Shulchan Aruch siman 607:2.The Vidui of Rabbeinu
Nissim, Chayei Adam and others include vast lists of possible sins, which may be
helpful in helping to "jar our memory" and recollect the sins we may have done
in the previous year. These lists can usually be bought in Sefarim
stores) If one transgressed a certain sin (or a
variation of it) many times, it isn’t necessary to itemize each one,
rather he/she can say "Sin X which I have fallen and transgressed countless
times" or a similar verbalization.
2) It is a Biblical Mitzva to increase the amount we eat and drink on Erev
Yom Kippur. Chazal say that whoever eats on Erev Yom Kippur is considered as if
he fasted on both Erev Yom Kippur and on Yom Kippur. It is the minhag to have a
Yom Tov Seuda on Erev Yom Kippur, as it is considered a Yom Tov because we are
confident that Hashem will atone all our sins.
Women and children who have reached the age of Chinuch are also obligated
in this Mitzvah of eating more on Erev Yom Kippur.
Halachos For Yom Kippur
1)The following things are prohibited from sunset of Yom Kippur (
Tonight,Wednesday evening) until nightfall after Yom Kippur : 1)
Melacha (any "work" that is prohibited on Shabbos) 2) Eating 3)
Drinking 4) Bathing /washing 5) Smearing lotion, soap
etc. 6) Wearing leather shoes 7) Marital relations
There
is a dispute amongst the Rishonim if all the aforementioned are prohibited Min
HaTorah (biblically) or just eating and drinking and Melacha, while the rest are
only prohibited MiDirabanan (prohibited by the sages).
Most Poskim (Bach,
Magen Avraham, Baal HaTanya, Mateh Ephraim,Mishna Berura and
others) rule that it is best to be stringent and consider them
all as Min HaTorah. However, the punishment of "Kares- heavenly death penalty"
is only given for eating, drinking and Melacha, according to everybody
2) Upon rising on Yom Kippur morning, Negel Vasser must be washed.
However, one must be careful to only wash until the end of the joints of the
hand (knuckles) and not the entire hand. As you wash, have in mind that you are
doing so to remove the "impure spirit" from your body, and not doing it for the
pleasure of "washing" which is prohibited on Yom Kippur.
The face may
not be washed on Yom Kippur morning. It is best to be stringent and not even
place a little water on the eyes, unless there is some crust near the eyes, then
it may be removed with a drop of water that was placed on your finger. When
doing so, care must be taken to only place the water on the immediate spot of
the crust, and not on any other part of the face.
One may not wash their
hands before Musaf, Mincha or Ne'ilah (as it is usually necessary to
wash the hands before any Tefilah) since he/she was in Shul all day, we
rely on the fact that the hands were kept clean, and thus no further washing is
necessary.
After using the restroom, the hands should be washed, but
only until the knuckles.
The Kohanim may wash their entire hands before
going up to "duchen- bless the congregation" as that washing isn't one of
pleasure.
Most contemporary Poskim allow the use of aerosol spray
deodorant on Yom Kippur if necessary to prevent sweating. If however it isn't a
humid day and it isn't really necessary, it is best to avoid it. (NOTE:
Stick Deodorant, which one rubs into the underarm, is prohibited on Yom Kippur.
It is also prohibited to use on any Shabbos. Roll on may be used on Shabbos)
IMPORTANT
CORRECTION:
IN TODAY’S HALACHOS IT SAID:
"Most contemporary Poskim allow the use of aerosol spray deodorant on Yom
Kippur if necessary to prevent sweating. If however it isn’t a humid day and it
isn’t really necessary, it is best to avoid it."
AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I REALIZE I MADE A MISTAKE. THE ABOVE IS TRUE
REGARDING TISHA B’AV ONLY, WHERE IF DONE TO AVOID ODORS AND NOT FOR PLEASURE
IT IS OK. HOWEVER ON YOM KIPPUR IT SEEMS THAT EVEN TO PREVENT ODOR IT IS STILL
PROHIBITED TO USE SPRAY DEODORANT ACCORDING TO MOST POSKIM. SEE SHULCHAN ARUCH
SIMAN 614 , SEFER KITZUR HILCHOS MOADIM PAGE 110 AND PISKEI TESHUVOS PAGE 272
FOR MORE ON THIS.
BOTTOM LINE: IT IS BEST NOT TO USE SPRAY DEODORANT ON YOM KIPPUR. I
APOLOGIZE FOR THIS MISTAKE, AND THANK THE KIND READER WHO BROUGHT IT TO MY
ATTENTION AND HAD ME DO FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THIS AT WHICH TIME I REALIZED THAT
YOM KIPPUR IS DIFFERENT THAN TISHA B’AV IN THIS ASPECT.
WISHING YOU ALL A
FULFILLING
YOM KIPPUR. MAY HASHEM ANSWER ALL OF OUR TEFILOS L’TOVAH AND CLEANSE US ALL
OF ALL OUR SINS.
Ben Olam Haba
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי
אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם
לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who
studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the
world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
