Halochos and Minhogim for Erev Rosh HaShana

During Krias Shema at bedtime on Tonight Tuesday, Tachanun is recited.

A mourner who is sitting Shiva RL is allowed to go to Shul during the day to recite Selichos, and to Daven with the congregation.

During Selichos, Tachaunu (Viduy) is recited, even after dawn but not during Davening.

In the Piyut, “Merubim tzarchei amcha,” Nusach Lita is to say the verse, “Vesaitiv lanu hakesiva vehachasimah,” and this was corrected by hand in one of the first editions of Kehos (soft cover), and this is apparently the correct version.

More in the Extended Article!

In the Piyut “Shlosh-esrei middos,” there are various changes to the Selichos in the most recent editions (which were checked by the Rebbe).

The section, “Al tavo bemishpat imanu,” is recited by the chazzan and the congregation verse by verse.

The verses “Al tavo” and “Vehu yishpot” are usually recited together as one phrase.

The Shofar is not blown today, and whoever has not finished learning how to blow it should do so in a closed room.

After Davening, Hataras Nedarim is performed with a Minyan (or at the very least in the presence of three men).

Pruzbul: The Alter Rebbe ruled that, “Lechatchila, the pruzbul should be done at the end of the sixth (year).” The Rebbe instructed, “Therefore it is worthwhile for each individual (to have a debt so that he can) fulfill the concept of a pruzbul … It is best if he could perform the pruzbul immediately after Hataras Nedarim, since at that time three suitable men are available before him to be a ‘Beis Din,’ and he can recite in front of them the words of the pruzbul: ‘I pass on to you all of my debts, so I can collect them at any time that I want.’

“For greater convenience in performing this, it would be correct if any Rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva, etc, would be joined by two suitable men and would write the text of the pruzbul on a contract, so that anyone can add his signature to the pruzbul contract. In addition, this can be done through a messenger (or through a telephone request). Moreover, when the Rav or member of the Beis Din makes a Kinyan, with the signatories upon the contract in order to guarantee the legal validity of the pruzbul, and when any Rav or Rosh Yeshiva publicizes this, they can surely benefit all our fellow Jews to do the pruzbul.”

· Before going to Shul [and at any other possible location] it is important to announce that we are required to do Eruv Tavshilin, and publicize how this is done.

· It is customary to set up and distribute funds for the needy for the necessities of Rosh Hashanah and the other festivals during Tishrei (similar to Maos Chittim before Pesach).

· It is customary to write a pidyon nefesh (married men should be wearing a gartel while doing so) for oneself and the members of one’s families, asking for a kesivah vechasima tovah and a shanah tovah vemesukah. It should be placed between the pages of a Ma’amar, kuntress, etc, of the Rebbe and sent (if possible that day) to be read at his Tziyyun.

· It is customary to visit the gravesites of Tzaddikim, and those who are close enough should go to the resting-places of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe.

· We cut our hair and immerse in a Mikvah in honor of the festival.

· Eruv Tavshilin. – We take a whole loaf, the size of a “kebeitzah,” (approx 53.8 grams / 1.89 oz.) with another important cooked food item, such as meat or fish, the size of a “kezayit” (approx.17.3 grams / 0.61 oz.). Hand it to another person (lechatchila, this should be given to a person over bar mitzvah, but not to a son or a daughter, even if grown up, if they are going to eat at your table) to benefit the entire community. He recites, “Ani mezakeh lekol mi sherotzeh lezacot velismoch al eiruv zeh.” The zocheh then raises it a tefach from the place where it was lying, even if it had been placed in his hands in the air. The first person then takes the Eruv from the zocheh and recites the blessing, “Asher kideshanu bemitzvosav vetzivanu al mitzvas haeiruv,” and “Badein …” Anyone who doesn’t understand Aramaic should make a statement in a language he understands to the effect of, “With this Eruv, it will be permissible for us to bake, cook, and warm up hot food, light a candle, fix, and fulfill any of our needs from Yom Tov to Shabbos, for us and for all of Israel living in this city.”

· The Rebbe Rashab used to take upon himself an additional Hiddur before every Rosh Hashanah. As a general instruction, we are told, “Every Rosh Hashanah, each person should take upon himself an additional Hiddur in positive Mitzvos, and a caution within the boundary of negative commandments, and an additional caution in good behavior.”

· From an hour before Mincha until Maariv on Motzoei Rosh Hashanah, each person should take care to recite Tehillim during the night and the day.

· Those who give Tzedakah every day, should give enough for the two days of Rosh Hashanah.

· Towards the evening, fine clothing should be worn, and we know that the Holy One performs the miracle of judging us with the attribute of mercy.

· We only wear a kittel on Yom Kippur. This also applies to the Shliach Tzibbur and the Tokeah.

· We light candles at the time given on the calendar, as on Erev Shabbos. Anyone who did not yet light should do so before the meal (from a pre-existing flame).

· On Yom Tov too, the blessing should be recited after lighting. The blessings are “Lehadlik ner shel yom hazikkaron,” and “Shechechiyanu.”

· A man who lights candles should not recite Shechechiyanu.”

· A large candle (like a ner neshamah) should be prepared so that candles can be lit from it on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. This year, we need to light another large candle on the second night that will remain lit until the end of the second day, for Erev Shabbos Shuvah.