Photo Credit: Jewish Press

Vol. LXIV No. 35 5773
New York City
CANDLE LIGHTING TIME
August 30, 2013 – 24 Elul 5771
7:11 p.m. NYC E.D.T.

Sabbath Ends: 8:12 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sabbath Ends: Rabbenu Tam 8:42 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Weekly Reading: Nitzavim-Vayelech
Weekly Haftara: Sos Assis (Isaiah 61:10-63:9)
Daf Yomi: Pesachim 71
Mishna Yomit: Shevuos 3: 10- 11
Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 301: 16-18
Rambam Yomi: Hilchos Parah Adumah chap. 14, Hilchos Tum’as Tzara’as chap. 1
Earliest time for Tallis and Tefillin: 5:30 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sunrise: 6:21 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Latest Kerias Shema: 9:38 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sunset: 7:30 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Pirkei Avos: 5-6

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This Motza’ei Shabbos: Following Maariv, due to the upcoming Yom Tov, we do not say Vi’yehi Noam ve’Atah Kadosh. We start saying Selichos, preferably after chatzos halaila (12:09 a.m. E.D.T., N.Y.C.). Thereafter we arise early in the morning to say the specific Selichos for each day as found in our Selichos texts.

(The Sefardic and Oriental communities began saying Selichos at the start of Elul). Rosh Hashana is this coming Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashana, we arise early to say the special additional Selichos found in the Machzor. Shacharis as usual – except for omitting Tachanun. We do not blow the shofar this morning in order to create a separation between the customary tekios of Elul and the tekios of Rosh Hashana, which are a command. We also annul any vows that we might have made, lest we enter Yom Tov with these unfulfilled vows. This Hataras Nedarim must be done before a court of three who release one’s vows. We note from the text of Hataras Nedarim that only those vows that may be annulled are included in this hatara. Some are accustomed to fast half a day, until chatzos hayom (N.Y.C. 12:54 p.m. E.D.T.)

We take haircuts, shower and immerse ourselves in the mikveh after chatzos hayom in order to purify ourselves for Rosh Hashana, when all of mankind is judged.

Since Shabbos immediately follows the 2 days of Yom Tov, we prepare an Eruv Tavshilin (2 cooked foods – usually an egg and a challah or matza) which we put aside to be eaten on Shabbos. This allows us to cook and bake foods on the second day Yom Tov for Shabbos.

Wednesday evening: when we light the candles (N.Y.C. 7:04 p.m. E.D.T.) we recite the blessings of “… Lehadlik ner shel Yom Tov …” and Shehecheyanu.

Erev Yom Tov Mincha (as usual, no textual alterations as in the subsequent prayers due to Aseres Yemei Teshuva).

For the entire Aseres Yemei Teshuva we add the following in the Shemoneh Esreh: Zochrenu LeChayyim, Mi Chamocha Av HaRachamim. We substitute HaMelech Hakadosh for HaKel Hakadosh during these ten days. If one forgot and said HaKel Hakadosh instead of HaMelech Hakadosh and did not quickly correct himself, he repeats from the start of the Shemoneh Esreh. (In the weekday Shemoneh Esreh we substitute HaMelech Hamishpat for Melech Ohev Tzedaka Umishpat.) Before Vechol HaChayyim we add U’chesov LeChayyim. In Sim Shalom, right before the Beracha we add Besefer ChayyimAshkenaz generally conclude the beracha with Oseh Hashalom while Sefarad conclude with HaMevarech Es Amo Yisrael Bashalom, as usual.

Maariv: Birkas Kerias Shema – standard text for Yom Tov (concluding Hashkivenu with U’feros… Ve’al Yerushalayim, as usual), and we add Tik’u bachodesh shofar ba’keseh leyom chagenu. The chazzan then recites Kaddish and adds Le’eila [u’]le’eila mikol birchasa instead of Le’eila min kol birchasa (some congregations do not follow this alteration).

Shemoneh Esreh is the Rosh Hashana text as found in the Machzor. Following the Shemoneh Esreh, Sefarad add LeDavid Mizmor and the chazzan concludes with Kaddish Tiskabbel – we conclude all Kaddish recitals with Oseh Hashalom. Some congregations recite Kiddush in the synagogue – the text is that of Yom Tov (Rosh Hashana). We conclude with Mekaddesh Yisrael VeYom HaZikaron and Shehecheyanu, then Aleinu, LeDavid Hashem Ori, the respective Kaddish recitals (mourners) and Adon Olam.

As we leave the synagogue all greet each other with Leshana tova tikasevu . . .

At home, we recite the Kiddush (for Rosh Hashana). We wash for the meal. We bless Hamotzi, and instead of dipping the challah in salt we dip it in honey (until Shemini Atzeres). We prepare an apple which we dip in honey as well, and recite Borei pri ha’etz. We eat the apple and then recite Yehi Ratzonshetechaddesh alenu shana tova u’mesuka. We also partake of various special foods that symbolize good omens (Simanei Milsa) – each with its own beracha. These are found in the Machzor.

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Rabbi Yaakov Klass is Rav of K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush; Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Presidium Chairman, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim.