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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 Seudah Hamafsekes.
The reason for this is that Chazal were worried that one would Chas V'Shalom choke during that meal and pass away without the opportunity to recite the Vidui. (See Mishna Berura Siman 607:1)
2) If one davened Mincha and forgot to add the Vidui, and already went home and ate the meal, he should repeat the Vidui close to sunset, and not right when he remembers. (Halichos Shlomo Yom Kippur, Perek 4:1)
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. (ibid.)
Reader's Question:
Are children supposed to try to fast three fasts before their bar/bas mitzva?
Answer:
On Yom Kippur, from age 9 until 12 for a boy and 11 for a girl it's good to accustom them to fast for an hour or two (i.e. to teach them to push off their usual eating time.).
From age 11 for a girl and age 12 for a boy there is a Mitzvah of chinuch to try and have them fast if they are strong enough. (See Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Berura Siman 616,based on Mishna Yoma 82a)
Some people have the custom to have them fast two or three fasts before their Bar/Bas Mitzvah, however there is no clear source for this minhag.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (Halichos Shlomo Yom Kippur, Perek 6:14) ruled that children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah should not fast a full day at all, even on Yom Kippur. He ruled this way even if Yom Kippur was the fast immediately before their Bar/Bas Mitzvah.
For halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav must be consulted.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Why is Tzom Gedalia in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva?
On Tzom Gedalia, the leader of Klal Yisrael, Gedalia ben Achikam was murdered. The Rambam says that the final embers of Klal Yisrael went out because of his murder, and therefore Klal Yisrael was sent out to galus.
So if it was only the final ember that went out, the last spark, what's the big deal? We were basically at our end already! Why is it such a sad day? Why a fast?
Never underestimate the power of that last spark! The power of a final ember. The last drive forward. That burst of strength of pure desperation.
All it takes is one spark to burn down an entire forest. One lit cigarette. One coal. One spark has catastrophic effects. People have lifted cars to save themselves or loved ones. We've all seen some famous sports comeback.
How does that happen?
Because one ember is what starts the burning furnace that sits inside each of us. Once we start that fire it doesn't go out until we let it. If we don't let it, it'll burn forever.
Shimshon had his hair cut and lost all his G-d given strength. He was bound and had his eyes poked out while in captivity by the pelishtim. He was caught. Stuck with no way out. So what did he do? He davened to Hashem. "Zachreini na v'chazkeini na ach hapam hazeh",he davened that G-d should give him the strength one last time to exact judgment upon the pelishtim, by pulling down the foundation pillars of the building they were in.
And Hashem did. the pasuk says he killed more enemies in that act than throughout his entire life. BECAUSE OF ONE SPARK that he wouldn't allow to extinguish.
Tzom Gedalia comes during our teshuva time because teshuva can NEVER be out of the questioin.
As long as there is a single spark! One tiniest desire to be better is enough to do so. One baby step because of this desire turns into a life changing moment.
Important Numbers
