Halacha and Prayer Service Guide

Part 1

Anshei Lubavitch Congregation
Fair Lawn, New Jersey

ROSH HASHANA TO YOM KIPPUR

Rosh Hashanah

Note: Page numbers in this section refer to pages in the Machzor for Rosh Hashana published by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. Copies of the machzor are available for use in the synagogue.

Sunday Sept 29, 29 Elul, Erev Rosh HaShana: Candle lighting at 6:24 pm; Mincha at 6:25 pm. Blessings for candle lighting: see page 8. Men who are lighting the candles should not recite the blessing of Shehechiyanuat this time, as they will recite it שהחינו later at kiddush. If the candles were not lit at this time they may be lit later, at any time during the night. But once yomtov begins it is forbidden to strike a match or initiate any new flame, and so the candles can only be lit from a pre-existing flame. It is a good idea to light a 24-hour candle in addition to the regular yomtov candles, so that this flame can be used for lighting the candles tomorrow night.

Mincha: The service begins in the middle of page 11, until after the 3rd paragraph of page 21.

Maariv: The service begins at the bottom of page 25, until the Kaddish on page 36; omit the next 3 paragraphs and proceed to the last 2 lines Aleinu through the first line on top of page 38. After the service it is customary for everyone to wish his fellow Jew:

לשנה טובה תכתב ותחתםם
Leshonno tovoh tikkoseiv veseichoseim
May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.

The Rosh HaShana evening meal: The table is set as for any festival, with one’s good dishes and tableware. Recite Kiddush over a cup of wine beginning with the 2nd paragraph on page 39 and the following 2 lines; omit the words in parentheses. Women who are reciting Kiddush
should not recite Shehechiyanu שהחינ since they already said it when lighting the candles. The ו blessing of HaMotzie is said over two loaves; it is customary to use המוציא round challa loaves during the Tishrei festivals. Instead of salt, the slices of challa are dipped in honey throughout the festival season, up umtil the 7th day of Sukkos. After eating the challa take an apple, dip it in honey, recite the last 2 lines on page 39, and eat. The festival meal should include fish, meat, and sweet foods. Foods prepared with vinegar are avoided. Idle chatter and frivolous behavior are avoided during the 48 hours of Rosh haShana, including during the meals. Every spare moment is spent in prayer, Torah study, and reciting Tehillim. During the blessings after the meal Yaale Veyovo .is inserted ויבא יעלה

Monday Sept 30, 1 Tishrei 5779 Daytime Services: The beginning of the Shacharis service (bottom of p 45 through p 58) is said at home. Be sure to recite the Sh’ma before 9:46 am.

The service at the synagogue begins promptly at 9:30 am with the Kaddish on p 59, through the silent Amida ending on p 94. On pp 82-83 recite only the narrower text, then omit the 2nd paragraph on page 84 and continue with the bottom paragraph. During the Amida prayer omit the paranthetical words which refer to Shabbos.

The Repetition of the Amida begins on p 95. On pp 95-97 and pp 101-105 only the text above the line is recited on the first day. Numerous passages are recited responsively, alternating between the chazan and the congregation. These will be announced during the service. The Ark is opened several times during the Amida repetition. While some people have the custom to stand whenever the Ark is open, those who do not have this personal custom do not have to do so. Standing is required only when a Torah scroll is removed from the Ark. After the repetition Avinu Malkeinu מלכנו אבינו is said while standing.

The Psalm for the day of Monday (top of p 114) is said, then the last paragraph on p 112 and the Psalm for the penetential season on p. 113 are said, followed by mourners’ Kaddish.

Torah Reading: The aliyos and other honors are sold at auction. Two Torah scrolls are removed from the Ark (pp 116-118). Five people are called to the blessings over the Torah reading in the first scroll (above the line, pp 119-121). Reading from the second scroll is at bottom of page 121. Haftara reading is above the line on pp. 122-124. Blessings after the Haftara on p. 125. Omit the last paragraph on p. 125 and all of p. 126.

Shofar: Blowing of the Shofar will take place at approximately 11:45 am. The paragraph at the top of p. 127 is said 7 times. The following lines are read reponsively, alternating between the chazan and the congregation. The chazan recites the blessings at the bottom of p. 127. Everyone should listen attentively and respond amein to each of the two blessings. Do not respond baruch Hu uvaruch Shemo. From this point on it is forbidden to speak anything besides the prayers until the final shofar blasts at the end of the service. Thirty shofar blasts are sounded now. Then the next 3 lines are said responsively with chazan and congregation, followed by Ashrei (p. 128).

Musaf: The chazan chants the prayer at the bottom of p. 129 followed by Kaddish at the top of p. 130. The silent Amida begins on p. 130 through p. 139. Omit the parenthetical words that refer to Shabbos. There are three pauses during the silent Amida; each time 10 shofar blasts are sounded: 1) before the last paragraph on p. 134; 2) before the last paragraph on p. 136; 3) 2/3 way down p. 138.

Repetition of the amida begins at the bottom of p. 139. General instructions are the same as for the repetition of Shacharis (see above). On pp. 140-143 recite the text above the line on the first day. During the Aleinu paragraph (bottom of p. 149) the chazan kneels and bows in the manner that was done in the Temple at Jerusalem. Male congregants are also encouraged to do so. One must not kneel directly on the bare floor tiles; some colth of paper must be put down to intervene. Ten shofar blasts are sounded three times during the repetition: 1) bottom of p. 152; 2) top of p. 156; 3) bottom of p. 158.

Priestly Blessing: After the last shofar blasts mentioned above, the Kohannim and Leviyyim go out for the ritual hand washing. The Kohannim ascend the stage at the front, raise their hands in the traditional manner, and bless the congregation (middle of p. 160).

Conclusion: During the Kaddish said by the chazan (p. 162) a final 10 shofar blasts are sounded. The service continues with Ein Keiloheinu (p. 162) through the mourners’ Kaddish on p. 165. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 1-9, 88-90.

Mincha: Mincha will be at 6:00 pm. The service begins at the top of p. 184, through the top 3⁄4 of p. 188. Then continue with the silent Amida at bottom of p. 190 to p. 195, omittiing the parenthetical words referring to Shabbos. The chazan repeats the Amida, followed by Avinu Melkeinu pp 195-197; Psalm for the penitential season (top of p. 198), and Aleinu.

Tashlich: Following Mincha there is a parade to a nearby body of water where the Tashlich ceremony is recited (pp. 200-201). Once again, idle chatter and frivolous behavior are avoided at this time. At the end of the Tashlich service, men and boys shake the fringes of their tzitzis.

Maariv Second night: Maariv is at 7:20 pm. The service is the same as the first night.

Candle Lighting: Light candles not before nightfall 7:21 pm. Candles should be lit only from a pre-existing glame (see instructions for first day). A fruit that is new in season is placed on the table before candle lighting; when saying Shehechiyanu have in mind that this blessing שיחינו
covers the new fruit that will be eaten later at the meal. Men who are lighting the candles should nor recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu at this time, as they will recite it later, at שהחינו kiddush.

The Rosh HaShana evening meal: Same as for the first evening (see above). When saying Shehechiyanu at the שיחינוKiddush, have in mind that this blessing covers the new fruit. After Kiddush, recite the appropriate blessing and eat the new fruit. The challa is dipped in honey. The
apple-in-honey ceremony is not repeated.

Tuesday Oct. 1, 2 Tishrei 5779 Daytime Services: The service for the second day is the same as the first day with the following exceptions: (Be sure to recite the Sh’ma before 9:47 am)
Repetition of the Shacharis Amida: pp. 95-97 and 101-105 say the text below the line.
Torah reading: below the line on pp. 119-121; Haftara below the line pp. 122-124
Psalm for the Day: say the Psalm for Tuesday, p. 114.
Repetiton of the Mussaf Amida: pp. 140-143 recite the text below the line.
Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 10-17, 91-93.

The Tashlich ceremony is not repeated today.

Micha/Maariv: The festival concludes at 6:20 pm, pp 202-211.

The Ten Penitential Days

Page numbers in this section refer to the regular Tehillas HaShem Siddur in use in our synagogue.

During the weekdays between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur there are a few changes in the weekday prayer services:

Last paragraph of Kaddish: say ose hasholom עושה השלום instead of Ose Sholom עושה שלום.

Page 42: Add the paragraph below the line שיר המעלות before the half-Kaddish.

Amida for Shacharis (pp 50-61), Mincha (pp. 97-102) and Maariv (pp. 110-116): Follow the changes and insertions for these days, as instructed in the siddur.

Avinu Malkeinu: During Tachanun each day at Shacharis (4th paragraph.on p. 68) and Mincha (top of p. 105), the short version of Avinu Malkeinu אבינו מלכנו is replaced by the long version (pp. 277-279).

We continue saying the Psalm for the penitential season (p. 81) each day at Shacharis and Mincha.

Wednesday Oct. 2, 3 Tishrei 5779: צום גדליה Fast of Gedalia: This fast commemorates the assasination of Gedalia ben Achikam, the Governor of Judea during the Babylonian occupation. After this assasination, all traces of Jewish autonomy in the Holy Land came to an end until the restoration of the Jewish comonwealth seven decades later. Fast begins at dawn 5:28 am, and ends at nightfall 7:05 pm. Prayer services are the same as for weekdays of the ten penitential days. At Shacharis after Tachanun (p. 68, before Avinu Malkeinu) the Selichos service is added. Since our custom is to say it at this point rather than before Shacharis, certain sections of the printed text are omitted. Specific instruction of what to omit will be provided during the service. Today’s Tehillim chapters are 18-22, 94-96.

Thursday Oct. 3, 4 Tishrei: Today’s Tehillim chapters are 23-28, 97-99.

Friday Oct. 4, 5 Tishrei: Today’s Tehillim chapters are 29-34, 100-102.

Friday Evening:  Light Candles at 6:16 pm. Mincha at 6:20 pm. Regular Shabbos Services, with insertions/changes for the ten penitential days as instructed in the siddur.

Shabbos Oct 5, 6 Tishrei: Today is the 55th yahrtzeit of  Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This Shabbos is called Shabbos Teshuva. The Torah portion is VaYeilech, and the haftara is שובה ישראל Shuva Yisroel. Regular Shabbos Services, with insertions/changes for the ten penitential days as instructed in the siddur. Today’s Tehillim chapters are 20, 35-38, 103-105.

Sunday Oct. 6, 7 Tishrei: Today’s Tehillim chapters are 39-43, 106-108.

Monday Oct. 7, 8 Tishrei: Today’s Tehillim chapters are 44-48, 109-111.

Kapporos: It is an old Jewish custom to perform this ceremony on or before the eve of Yom Kippur. Each person takes a live chicken (a rooster for a male and a hen for a female) and recites a few verses and a prayer (p. 296) three times while holding the chicken and gently rotating it over one’s head 3 times each recitation (total nine times). The chicken is later slaughtered and koshered, and the meat donated to the poor. The cost of the chicken is also donated to charity. If live chickens are not available, any othe kosher birds (except pigeons or doves) or even a fish may be used. At Anshei Lubavitch live chickens will be available Monday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Tuesday Oct. 8, 9 Tishrei, Erev Yom Kippur: During today’s Shacharis service the paragraph מזמור לתודה ( Mizmor Lesoda) p. 31, is omitted. Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu are not said. After Shacharis it is customary for an official of the synagogue to distribute slices of honey cake to the congregants. The cake is eaten this morning. Each congregant should ask for the cake before receiving it. This symbolises that if it be (G-d forbid) decreed that during the year we must go begging for food, we have already fulfilled the decree by asking for the cake. Honey cake symbolises our expectation of a sweet new year. This morning’s Tehillim chapters are 20, 49-54, 112-114.

Before Mincha on Erev Yom Kippur it is customary to receive symbolic lashes, the one receiving the lashes kneels on the floor facing north (a cloth or paper should be placed between the knees and the floor). The one administering the lashes does so with a leather belt. Thirty-nine symbolic lashes are administered in grouips of three: one on the right shoulder, one on the left shoulder, and one in the middle of the back. Wile doing so, both recite the verse והוא רחום veHu rachum… (bottom of p. 32). Then it is customary to immerse in a mikve to prepare spiritually for the Holy Day.

Mincha: will be at 1:45 pm. Regular weekday Mincha with insertions/changes as instructed in the siddur. The service is in the Machzor for Yom Kippur, middle of p. 4 to p. 18. The confession prayers are added in the silent Amida, but are not repeated during the repetition.

Final Meal: The final meal before the fast should consist of light foods: soup and fowl, not heavy or spicy meats. It is customary not to eat fish during this meal. The challa is dipped in honey. The meal must be completed at the latest a few minutes before sunset, 6:25 pm in Fair Lawn.

Blessing the Children: After the meal, each father blesses his children. Each child is blessed separately; it is customary to use the text of the Priestly blessing (Siddur, middle of p. 268). Some have the custom that the father plces his hands on top of the child’s head. Even adult children are customarily blessed by their father.

Candle Lighting: No later than 6:09 pm. Blessings for Candle Lighting are found in the Machzor bottom of p. 18. men who are lighting the candles do not recite שהחינו Shehechiyanu, as they will say it later, before Maariv. In addition to the yomtov candles, each married man lights two candles that will burn during the entire 24 hours of Yom Kippur,

Page numbers mentioned from this point on refer to the Machzor for Yom Kippur, published by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. Copies of the machzor are available for use in the synagogue.

Yom Kippur

There are five restrictions that apply during the entire day of Yom Kippur, from before sunset on Erev Yom Kippur to after nightfall at the end of Yom Kippur: 1) all eating and drinking is forbidden. 2) Bathing or washing any part of the body, even without soap; 3) appying ointments, cremes, or oils to the body; 4) wearing shoes that are made, even partly, of leather (slippers, sneakers, etc that contain no leather may be worn); 5) marital relations, including all forms of physical intimacy. In case of illness or urgent necessity, consult the rabbi concerning when and how some of these restrictions may be eased. Of course, the above Yom Kippur restrictions are in addition to the regular work activities forbidden on every Shabbos.

It is customary for married men to wear a white robe (kittel) during Yom Kippur. A bridegroom who was married during the past year and wore a kittel at his wedding chuppa does not wear it this first Yom Kippur.

Tuesday Evening, Oct. 8 Kol Nidrei: The Yom Kippur Eve service begins at 6:05 pm. Before the service, repeat privately the Confession prayer, pp. 12-16. Also say Tehillim chapters 115-123. Three Torah scrolls are removed from the Ark. The service begins on p. 23. The chazan chants Kol Nidrei כל נדרי three times. Then the chazan sings venislach ונסלח top of p. 24 three times; this is then repeated by the congregation three times. The chazan chants the next two lines, and the congregations says the following line three times. Shehechiyanu שהחינו is said. Women and girls who recited it at candle lighting should not repeat it now.

Maariv continues top of p. 28 to middle of p. 41. Omit the parenthetical references to Shabbos in the Amida. The poetic liturgy begins middle of p. 42 to p. 57. Avinu Malkeinu אבינו מלכנו is said. Omit the paragraph for Shabbos, middle of p. 60. The first four chapters of tehillim are said (pp. 62-63), followed by mourners’ Kaddish.

Tehillim: it is our custom for the congregation to remain after Maariv to recite the entire book of Tehillim. Please make every effort to join us for this important prayer. The recitation goes fairly quickly, taking less than 90 minutes. Those unable to keep up with the fast pace may say it at their own pace, and need not keep up with the chazan. If mourners are present, Kaddish is said after each book; otherwise one Kaddish is said by the chzazan at the very end.

Before going to sleep recite Tehillim chapters 124-132.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 10 Tishrei Shacharis: Be sure to recite the Sh’ma before 9:50 am. Hands are washed only up to the second knuckle, in keeping with the Yom Kippur restrictions. The beginning prayers are said at home, as described above for Rosh HaShana. The service at the synagogue begins promptly at 9:30 am on page 78. On pages 101-102 say the narower text, then continue with the bottom paragraph on p. 103. During the Amida (pp. 108-116) omit the parenthetical references to Shabbos. Repetition of the Amida (pp. 116-139) follows the same format as described above for the first day of Rosh HaShana. Avinu Malkeinu is said (pp. 139-141). Psalm for the Day of Wednesday (pp. 143-144), then middle of p. 142, and the Psalm for the penitential season.

Torah Reading: The aliyos and other honors are sold at auction. Then all join in with contributions towards the Haftara of Yonah with which the rabbi will be honored at Mincha. A generous benefactor matches the contributions, so each dollar contributed equals two dollars in support of the congregation’s programs. Two scrolls are removed from the Ark, pp. 145-147. Six men are called to say the blessings for the reading from the first scroll, pp.148-149. Reading from the second scroll is on p. 150. The Haftara is on pp. 150-151.

Yizkor: The memorial prayers will be said at approximately 12:00 pm. Those whose parents are living leave the sanctuary briefly while Yizkor is being said (p. 154). The Torah scrolls are returned to the Ark.

Musaf: The chazan chants the prayer on p. 156. The silent Amida is on pp. 156-164; omit the references to Shabbos. Repetition of the Amida begins on p. 165. The liturgical poetry follows the same format as described for Rosh HaShana. During Aleinu (p. 177) the chazan and congregation kneel as described for Mussaf of Rosh HaShana. On pages 178-187 we say the Avoda text, describing in detail the Yom Kippur sacrificial service in the Temple at Jerusalem. During this recital, the chazan and congregation kneel and bow an additional three times. Next come alphabetic poetic passages describing the beauty of the Temple service, and mourning the loss thereof (pp. 187-192). Pages 192-194 poetically mourn the deaths of ten martyred rabbis who were cruelly murdered by the Roman tyrants. The service continues to page 203.

Priestly Blessing: See above, first day of Rosh haShana. 

Tehillim  after Mussaf: Chapters 20, 55-59, 133-141.

There is a break between Mussaf and Mincha.

Mincha: begins at 4:30 pm. Page 211. A Torah scroll is removed from the Ark (pp 214-215). The Torah reading is on pp. 215-216. The haftara on pp. 216-219. After the scroll is returned to the Ark, the silen Amida is on pp.219-228. Omit references to Shabbos. Repetition of the Amida  on pp. 229-243. Follows the usual format for reciting the liturgical poetry. Avinu Malkeinu on pp. 243-245. Psalm for the penitential season, p. 246. Mourners’ Kaddish.

Neila, the Concluding Prayer:  pp. 247-249. Silent Amida pp. 249-254, omit references to Shabbos. Repetition of the Amida pp. 255-268. Avinu Malkeinu pp. 268-269. First Line on p. 270 is said aloud by the chazan and repeated aloud by the congregation. The second line is said three times by the chazan followed by the congregation. The third line is said seven times. The chazan begins the Kaddish. In the middle of the Kaddish, the congregation sings the traditional jouyous melody, Napoleon’s March. The shofar is sounded, and the chazan concludes the Kaddish. The service continues pp. 270-273. Recite Tehillim chapters 142-150. Mourners’ Kaddish.

Maariv: pp, 276-286. The service is not over until after Maariv. Please do not leave before reciting this first weekday prayer after the Atonement services.

Havdala: The Havdala ceremony pp. 286-287. is performed in the Kiddush area outside the sanctuary. The flame is lit from a flame that has been burning since before Yom Kippur. Before Havdala wash the hands by pouring water over them three times alternately. After Havdala some light refreshment will be served to break the fast.

Kiddush Levana: If the moon is visible, the Sanctification of the Moon (pp. 287-292) ceremony is recited outside in the parking lot.

Go and eat your bread in joy, and
drink your wine with good heart,
for G-d has accepted your service.

Kohelles 9:7