Erev Rosh Hashana 5772; Last Day of 5771; Eruv Tavshilin
September 28, 2011
SPECIAL QUADRUPLE PORTION L'KAVOD ROSH HASHANA AND L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH PARASHAS HA'AZINI; SHABBOS [TE]SHUVA
Halachos for Erev Rosh Hashanah
1) When entering the Shul on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (or when getting ready to daven, for women or anyone else davening at home) one should enter with a feeling of fear, trepidation and trembling [before Hashem] as the time has arrived for each of us to take the defendant's seat to be judged by the supreme judge (Hashem).
It is extremely important to daven with Kavanah (concentration; understanding and meaning the words) on Rosh Hashanah. (Chayei Adam Klal 139)
2) Although the entire year the Shemona Esrei is recited quietly as not to disturb the concentration of people standing near you, on Rosh Hashanah [and Yom Kippur] many have the Minhag to recite it louder than usual, as this brings them to be able to concentrate better.
Being that everyone has a Machzor on these days, we aren't concerned that reciting Shemona Esrei a little louder than usual will cause the people near you to lose concentration.
However, even if reciting it louder than usual, it should still not be recited too loud, and if one can concentrate fully even when davening low, as is done the whole year, that is still ideal. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 582:9 and Mishna Berura S"K 24)
Halachos for First day of Rosh Hashanah
1) Should one cry and/or shed tears while davening on Rosh Hashanah [and Yom Kippur]?
The Arizal says that one who does not cry on these days can be sure that his/her Neshama isn't worthy and/or complete, and he/she should exert extra effort to atone for their sins, which are preventing the Neshama from reaching its full potential. (Brought in Mateh Ephraim Siman 582:28. The Chida; Shiyurei Bracha Yoreh Deah 392:3 maintains that even if one isn't really crying, he/she should still force himself to daven in a crying voice and that suffices.)
The Gaon of Vilna was of the opinion that one shouldn't cry on Rosh Hashanah, as we must be confident that we will come out of the judgment exonerated based on the Pesukim in Nechemia (Perek 8: 9-11) [which were said to the Jews on Rosh Hashanah of that year] "V'Al Tivku...Ki Kadosh HaYom...V'Al TisAtzvu- Do not cry...for today is a holy day... and do not be disheartened"
Does the Gaon of Vilna contradict the Arizal? The answer is no, and the explanation is as follows:
There are two kinds of crying. If one forces himself to cry from fear of a bad judgment even the Arizal would agree with the Gr"a that it is not in the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, and shouldn't be done. However, if one's soul causes them to cry involuntarily from within him/herself [during the prayers], even according to the Gaon of Vilna, he will agree with the Arizal that there is no problem at all, with such an "inspired" prayer and it is actually commendable. (See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos from Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita Vol. 2 Siman 268 for a more lengthy elucidation of the above explanation)
2) After Maariv on the first night of Rosh Hashana it is customary to bless everyone you meet with a special greeting of "L'Shana Tova Techasev [V'Techasem] [L'Alter] U'Lchaim Tovim]-To a good year may you be written and signed immediately for a year of good life". (Rama Siman 582:9 and Mogen Avraham quoted in Mishna Berura S"K 25)
According to some Poskim, the word "V'Techasem-and signed" is omitted, as the final signing of the decree happens on Yom Kippur and not on Rosh Hashanah. (Opinion of the Gaon of Vilna, the Ram"a M'Panu and the Levush quoted in Mishna Berura Siman 582:25.Even though Tzadikim Gemurim and Reshaim Gemurim are signed on Rosh Hashana, that is only for their heavenly reward, but for "life" on this world, even Tzadikim are only signed on Yom Kippur, according to the Gaon of Vilna's explanation)
There is a third opinion that maintains that it is OK to say V'Techasem, as it is referring to the Chasima- the final ruling- which will take place on Yom Kippur, however, according the word "L'Alter- immediately" should be omitted. (Opinion of the Kaf HaChaim and Mateh Ephraim Siman 583:1)
2) When someone extends the above blessing to you, it is customary to respond with "Gam Atem- you too", V'Chain L'Mar- So too [should the blessing go] for you", or some other variation of such a response. (Chavos Yair in Mekor Chaim end of Siman 582)
Halachos for Second Day of Rosh Hashana
1) On the second night of Rosh Hashana according to the Taz and other Poskim the same greeting as the first night is said. However according to the Elya Rabbah, Pri Megadim, Gr"a and other Poskim, it is not recited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 582:25)
The prevalent Minhag is like the latter opinion.
2) The blessing of "Gmar Chasima Tova- A good final judgment" is customarily said instead of "Kesiva V'Chasima Tova" when greeting people anytime from the second day of Rosh Hashana until Hoshana Rabbah.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh; Shabbos Shuva
1) The Shabbos between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is referred to as "Shabbos Shuva", as the Haftarah that is always read on this Shabbos begins with the words "Shuva Yisroel Ad Hashem Elokecha- Return, Klal Yisroel, to your G-d Hashem". This alludes to the fact that this time period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur , a.k.a. The Aseres Yemei Teshuva, the 10 days of repentance, are a most opportune time for Teshuva.
It is extremely important on this Shabbos to be extremely diligent in adhering to all the Halachos of Shabbos, especially in the Halachos of "V"Dabro Davar"-not speaking things forbidden to talk about on Shabbos (business related talk, idle talk, etc.). Being stringent in these matters on this Shabbos will serve to strengthen us all in these areas on all the Shabbasos of the coming year. (Kaf HaChaim 602:8 and Birchei Yosef Siman 602:2)
It is a Minhag in Klal Yisroel that the Rav gives a special Drasha (speech) this week, commonly known as "The Shabbos Shuva Drasha".
The purpose of this speech is twofold:
a) to awaken the congregation to Teshuva and b) to educate the congregation as to the pertinent Halachos of Aseres Yemei Teshuva, Yom Kippur and Sukkos.
The Drasha should preferably have a mix of Mussar and Halacha. (See Mateh Ephraim Siman 602:41)
In many congregations, the minhag was for the Rav to wear a Tallis while giving his Shabbos Shuva Drasha,out of respect for the congregation. Others gave the reason that the Tallis was worn to protect him from the evil eye.
Most congregations today do not follow this Minhag, as they rely on the Tzitzis that the Rav is wearing to protect him (Elef Hamagen 604:22 and Shu"t Lev Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 99)
2) many Poskim were of the opinion that one should try and say Kiddush Levana this Motzei Shabbos, as we need as many Zechusim (merits) as possible before Yom Kippur (Opinion of the Leket Yosher page 70, Levush Siman 426, Biur HaGra Siman 602 and others. See also Mishna Berura Siman 602:10.Other reasons for this Minhag apply as well).
The prevalent Minhag is not to say Kiddush Levana on this Motzei Shabbos, and rather wait until Motzei Yom Kippur, as it must be said B'Simcha (with joy) and we are not as joyous in Aseres Yemei Teshuva (due to the trepidation of Hashem's upcoming judgment) as we will be on Motzei Yom Kippur.( Ruling of the Rama, Siman 602:1)
All agree that if he suspects that for whatever reason he won't be able to do it on Motzei Yom Kippur, he should do it this Motzei Shabbos.
Women do not perform Kiddush Levana. (See Mogen Avraham Siman 426:1, Chochmas Shlomo 426:1. See also MaHarsha in Chidushei Agados to Sanhedrin 42a)
Even one who isn't stringent to wash and eat a K'zayis of bread for Melava Malka every Motzei Shabbos, should try and do so this Motzei Shabbos. This applies to both men and women. (Melava Malka every week is extremely important, and we will B'Ezras Hashem discuss the Halachos of Melava Malka in the future)
Reader's Question:
Is waiting half an hour between eating milchig and fleishig(dairy and meat) a must?
Answer:
No. If you wash your mouth out well and/or eat some bread or other hard parve item in between it suffices. The hands should also be washed between the two.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
"When a child runs into the middle of a busy street right into oncoming traffic and his father pulls him back and holds onto him, does that mean the child's freedom is being revoked?
Of course not!
So too, Torah is not servitude. It is our Father in Heaven holding and teaching us how to live!"
Rav Simcha Wasserman Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Important Numbers
