Q. Is a woman on Tisha Beav exempt from the evening Eicha, Kinnos and the reading of the daytime Kinnos because it is a time-bound mitzvah? If she does it on her own, which Kinnos are read if she doesn't have the time or patience to do all of them? Does the same principle apply to reciting Selichot during Elul?
A. Tefila and similar recitations are not considered a time-bound mitzva, as the Talmud (Brochos 20b) explains since it deals in principle with asking mercy and compassion from Hashem, there is no time limit for it.
As far as choosing which Kinnos or Selichos to recite, in our days they all are available with translation and commentaries. It just takes a bit of prior time dedication and preparation to choose the ones that have more meaning and contain the spiritual awakening necessary during those special times.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
