Halacha and Prayer Service Guide

Anshei Lubavitch Congtregation
Fair Lawn, New Jersey

The month of Elul is called הרחמים חודש the Month of mercies. During this period the heavenly Gates of Mercy are open, prayers ascend express to G-d’s attention, and are answered favorably. In Chasidic works this is likened to the King in the field: when the king is in his palace, he remains in his inner chamber, and only the highest ministers have access to him, and then, only by appointment. But when the king is in the field, before he returns to his palace, everyone is permitted – and able – to approach him, while he greets everyone with a smile. We have this opportunity during the month of Elul; once Rosh HaShana arrives the King has returned to His palace, the Days of Awe begin, and it becomes more difficult to approach Him.

During this month it is customary to be extra scrupulous in reciting out prayers and performing our mitzvos. Tefillin and mezuzos that are due to be examined should be attended to at this time.

Schedule of Halachos and Prayers for Elul:

Shabbos August 31, Parashas R’ei, Shabbos Rosh Chodesh: Candle Lighting time is 7:15 pm; Mincha at 7:15 pm. During the amida prayer add ויבא יעלה for Rosh Chodesh on page 140. Latest time to recite Sh’ma is 9:37 am.  During the morning amida prayer add ויבא יעלה on page 180. After repetition of the amida, Hallel is said, page 241, with omission of two paragraphs. Following the psalm for the day of Shabbos (pp 182-183), the psalm for Rosh Chodesh נפשי ברכי, is added (pp 79-81), followed by the psalm for the penitential season אורי ה׳ לדוד (p 81). Two Torah scrolls are taken out. In the first we read the parasha of the week; in the second we read the maftir for Rosh Chodesh. The Haftara for Shabbos Rosh Chodesh is read instead of the regular Haftara. For the Mussaf amida, instead of the regular text, say the text below the double line on pages 194-196. During the Mincha amida add ויבא יעלה on page 207. After the repetition, add אורי ה׳ לדוד (p 81). After Mincha, say Chapter 5  of Pirkei Avos. During the Maariv amida add ויבא יעלה (p 113)

The psalm for the penitential season אורי ה׳ לדוד (p 81) is added at every Shacharis and Mincha service throughout the month of Elul.

Ten blasts of the shofar are sounded after Shacharis each weekday during the month of Elul, to arouse the congregation to teshuva and good deeds. Someone who did not attend the public Shacharis service should make an effort to blow or hear the shofar during the day.

Sunday Sept. 1, 1 Elul, 2^nd day of Rosh Chodesh: add ויבא יעלה in the Shacharis amida (p 57-58). On this day Chasidic custom is to begin reciting an additional 3 chapters of Tehillim to the regular chapters for the day of the month said at the end of Shacharis. Today’s chapters are 20, 1-9, followed by 1-3.

Monday Sept. 2, 2 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 10-17 & 4-6.

Tuesday Sept. 3, 3 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 18-22 & 7-9.

Wednesday Sept. 4, 4 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 23-28 & 10-12.

Thursday Sept. 5, 5 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 29-34 & 13-15.

Friday Sept. 6, 6 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 35-38 & 16-18. Candle Lighting time is 7:03 pm; Mincha at 7:05 pm.

Shabbos Sept. 7, Parashas Shof’tim, 7 Elul; Latest time for Sh’ma is 9:39 am. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 39-43 & 19-21 After Mincha say Chapter 6 of Pirkei Avos.

Sunday Sept. 8, 8 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 44-48 & 22-24.

Monday Sept. 9, 9 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 49-54 & 25-27.

Tuesday Sept. 10, 10 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 55-59 & 28-30.

Wednesday Sept. 11, 11 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 60-65 & 31-33.

Thursday Sept. 12, 12 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 66-68 & 34-36.

Friday Sept. 13, 13 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 69-71 & 37-39. Candle Lighting time is 6:51 pm; Mincha at 6:55 pm.

Shabbos Sept. 14, Parashas Ki Seitzei, 14 Elul: Latest time for Sh’ma is 9:41 am. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 72-76 & 40-42. After the Haftara of the week the Haftara of Parashas R’ei (which was pre-empted by the Haftara of Rosh Chodesh) is added. After Mincha say Chapters 1 & 2  of Pirkei Avos.

Sunday Sept. 15, 15 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 77-78 & 43-45.

Monday Sept. 16, 16 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 79-82 & 46-48.

Tuesday Sept. 17, 17 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 83- 87 & 49-51.

Wednesday Sept. 18, 18 Elul: Birthdays of both the Baal Shem Tov (Founder of Chasidus), and R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), founder of Chabad. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 88-89 & 52-54.

Thursday Sept. 19, 19 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 90-96 & 55-57.

Friday Sept. 20, 20 Elul: Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 97-103 & 58-60. Candle Lighting time is 6:39 pm; Mincha is 6:40 pm.

Shabbos Sept. 21, Parashas Ki Savo, 21 Elul. Latest time for Sh’ma is 9:44 am. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 104-105 & 61-63. After Mincha say Chapters 3 & 4 of Pirkei Avos.

Selichos Beginning tonight the extra penitential Selichos for Day 1 prayers are recited. For this first time the service is held after Shabbos, at midnight (12:45 am at Anshei Lubavitch). On the following days the service is held before Shacharis (5:55 am) at Andhei Lubavitch).

Sunday Sept. 22, 22 Elul: One who did not say the Selichos service last night should say it privately before Shacharis. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 106-107 & 64-66.

Monday Sept. 23, 23 Elul. Selichos for Day 2. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 108-112 & 67-69.

Tuesday Sept. 24, 24 Elul: Selichos for Day 3. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 113-118 & 70-72.

Wednesday Sept. 25, 25 Elul: Selichos for Day 4.On today’s date Creation of the universe began 5,779 years ago. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 119 (verses 1-96) & 73-75.

Thursday Sept. 26, 26 Elul: Selichos for Day 5. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 119 (verses 97-176) & 76-78.

Friday Sept. 27, 27 Elul: Selichos for Day 6. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 120-134 & 79-81. Candle Lighting is 6:28 pm; Mincha at 6:30 pm.

Shabbos Sept. 28, Parashas Nitzavim, 28 Elul: As is usual on the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh, the entire book of Tehillim is recited before Shacharis (8am at Anshei Lubavitch). This is the last opportunity for public Tehillim, and it is important to make an effort to attend. Latest time for Sh’ma is 9:46 am The blessing for the Neew Month is not recited. According to Chasidic tradition, G-d Himself blesses the month of Tishrei. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 135-139 & 82-84. After Mincha say Chapters 5 & 6  of Pirkei Avos.

Sunday Sept 29, 29 Elul, Erev Rosh HaShana: Selichos for Erev Rosh HaShana. Tachanun is omitted. Today’s chapters of Tehillim are 20, 140-150 & 85-87. After Shacharis, the congregation divides to separate groups of 11 to recite the נדרים התרת, Annulment of Vows. During the afternoon it is customary for men and boys to immerse in the mikve to prepare spiritually for the holy days. Prepare honey for dipping the challa at the festival meals, and apples for the meal of the first evening. Also, a fruit that is new in season should be prepared for Kiddush of the second evening.

Candle Lighting is at 6:24 pm; Mincha at 6:25 pm. We wear our festival clothing on Rosh HaShana in honor of the holy day, and to rejoice in the confidence that G-d will judge us favorable and grant us a good, sweet, healthy and happy New Year.

טובה וחתימה כתיבה

May we be inscribed in the book of good judgement for a good New Year