Halachos for Sunday, 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 Monday, 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. (Quoted 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 TeKasev [V'Sechasem] [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'Sechasem-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'Sechasem, as it is referring to the Chasima- the final ruling- which will take place on Yom Kippur, however, according to this opinion the word "L'Alter- immediately" should be omitted. (Opinion of the Kaf HaChaim and Mateh Ephraim Siman 583:1)

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 Tuesday, 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, and on the second night, the customary "Chag Sameach" or "Good Yom Tov" is how we greet people.

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