ב״ה
- Kapparos is done during the days preceding Yom Kippur, ideally the night preceding Yom kippur, towards the end of the night. It’s done in order to sweeten the supernal severities, and is compared with the scapegoat of Yom Kippur – which vicariously removes our aveiros.
- The Mitzva of eating alot on Erev Yom Kippur starts the night before Yom Kippur [R. Farkash].
- One should seek forgiveness from anyone they may have wronged before You Kippur.
- The “AVODA’ of Ever You Kippur is remorse and regret over the past; while the “AVODA’ of Your Kippur is more resolve for a better future.
- During Shacharis, we omit Mizmor Le Toda in Psukei Dezimra.
- After Shacharis we ask for a piece of honey cake (lekach) usually from the gabai in shul [or at home, from a family member] and by doing so one fulfills the need to ask anyone for a favor the entire year ahead.
- Men go to the Mikve 3 times on Eren Yom Kippur:
- once before shacharis
- once after ‘lashes’ (malkos) before Mincha
- and once before Kol Nidrei.
- Generally, people eat 2 meals on Ever You Kippur. At the First they will also have fish, but not at the second when they have chicken. There is also the minhag to eat ‘Kreplach’ on Erev You Kippur.
- It is best to stipulate that with the conclusion of the seuda HaMafsekes ( the 2nd meal), one does not accept the fast but will still eat and drink as long as one is permitted to.
- The women must accept all 5 abstentions of the fast with candlelighting (40 minutes before Sunset in Yerushalayim) and the men before Kol Nidrei (or at least 6 minutes before sunset). Before lighting candles we also light a Yizkor Lamp(s) for the departed, and a Leibedike Licht (‘a candle for life’) – both 24 hour candles. The Yizkor Lamp(s) should be lit at home (R. Y.K. Marlow) and the Leibedike Licht is lit (by the men in shul – one per married person. The woman can light her Leibedik Licht at home before she lights candles for Yom Kippur.
- There are 2 brochas said: “Lehadlik ner shel Yom Hakkipurim “(If Yom Kippur were to fall on Shabbos we would say “ Lehadlik ner shel Shabbos veshel Yom HaKippurim”), AND Shehechiyanu.
- Before leaving for shul, the father should bless his sons and daughters with the formula of Birkas Cohanim and can add ‘that you should be sealed for good life and that your hearts be set right in the ways of Fear of Heaven, etc…
- The 5 abstentions are:
- No leather shoes.
- No washing parts of one’s body but one may wash dirt off himself if not for pleasure.
- No anointing: Annointing for pleasure is forbidden but anointing for medical reasons is permitted (even where there’s no danger to life).
- No marital relations. Therefore, one should leave a little light on in the bedroom [which thereby makes it forbidden].
- Right before Kol Nidrei, one should enter the fast just having said confession (to begin with a clean slate).
- Kol Nidrei serves as the (public) annulment of vows for women.
- When ritually washing our hands, we do so to the 3rd row of Knuckles (which is up to the palm). In the morning brochas we omit the blessing concerning wearing of shoes: “She asa li kol tsarki”
- When saying confession, one should not Lean on anything whereby if that thing were removed the person wouldn’t remain standing.
- Men should not go to the bathroom wearing their kittle or their gartel since these are garments designated for praying.
- On a Motzoei Yom Kippur which falls on a Motzoei Shabbos, the full Havdala is said (and the fire is taken from an already existing flame). When Yom Kippur falls on a weekday no Besomim is used during Havdalah.
- On a Motzoei Yom kippur which falls on a Motzoei Shabbos, the celebratory meal also serves as a Melave Malka.
- The men usually do Kiddush Levana on Motzoei Yom kippur after breaking the fast.
- One should begin building the sukka on Motzoei Yom Kippur – and if he can’t build it then, at least he should talk about his building plans for the Sukka.