Hilchos Yom Kippur

(Laws for The Day of Atonement)

"Check List"
 

Erev Yom Kippur

During Shacharis we do not recite:
Mizmor L'esoda
Tachanun
Aveinu Malkeinu
or
Lamenatzeyach

Minhag: the Gabai hands out candies after Shacharis

Mitzvah Opportunity:
We eat a festive meal Erev Yom Kippur
which includes both fish and meat.
Minhag: to eat Kreplach at this meal
We should learn Torah at the table during this meal

Minhag: Immersion in a Mikveh
(One should have in mind repenting of one's sins, and
intending to purify oneself from this moment onward)

One should ask forgiveness of anyone we may have hurt or slighted
We must willingly forgive anyone who asks us to forgive them

Before Mincha:
Give tzedaka as a personal atonement
(Suggested minimum is $7 per family member --
the cost of one meal for kapara)

During Mincha: Viduy (Confession) is recited
(One should assume a bent-over posture as he recites Viduy, and with each
Communal Avaira, one should strike the left side of the chest -- over the heart)
[One should not be leaning on anything during the recitation of Viduy]

Following Mincha:
Seudah HaMafseches (The Last Meal Before Yom Kippur)
Challah (bread) should be dipped into honey and eaten

Candle Lighting
When the candles are lit, the B'racha "Shehechyanu" is said
(The candles should be of sufficient size that they will still be burning after evening services: also --
one should leave a yardseidt candle burning in order to have the flame for Havdallah after Yom Kippur)
[Women who have already said "Shehechyanu" should not repeat this B'racha during Kol Nidre;
they should, instead, answer "A'mein" to the Chazzan's B'racha]
Women who wish to ride in a car top Shul, AFTER lighting candles
Should make a verbal declaration that they are not accepting the Keddushah of Yom Kippur
with the lighting of their candles; these women should wait until Kol Nidre to recite the "Shehchyanu"
EVERYONE should accept upon themselves the Keddushah of Yom Kippur BEFORE Kol Nidre

Yom Kippur Prohibitions
No Eating
No Drinking
[IF one is ill, one needs to as HaRav Lieff about the obligation to fast,
and "how to eat" IF one is "REQUIRED to eat"]
No Bathing
[BUT, one may wash the hands up to the knuckles upon rising in the morning,
and after using the facilities; IF one's hands become soiled, one is allowed to clean them]
No Anointing Ourselves
No Marital Relations
No Wearing of Leather Shoes
[This includes any part of the exterior of the shoe that is made of leather]

Motzei Yom Kuppur
[AFTER the Day of Atonement]
We recite Kiddish Levannah (The Sanctification of the New Moon) after Ma'ariv
Havdallah over a cup of wine/grape juice and a flame that has been burning from before Yom Kippur --
such as a yartseidt candle of the pilot light of a stove or water heater
[We do not say the B'racha over spices during this Havdallah]
Minhag: Start building one's Succah AFTER breaking the fast

G'mar Chasimah Tova!