Do we have to eat bread on Erev Yom Kippur?
There is a mitsvah to eat on erev Yom Kippur. HaShem, as a loving father, gave us the mitsvah to eat, so that we will have the strength and ability to withstand the fast.
Other reasons given are: 1) By having a meal we show our happiness that we have an opportunity for our sins to be forgiven. 2) Just as we have a festive meal for every Yom Tov, we have a festive meal in honor of Yom Kippur. It is done prior, as obviously we cannot have it on Yom Kippur itself. Therefore, one should have at least one bread meal on Erev Yom Kippur.
Why do we pray Minha early?
The Hachamim instituted to say vidui at the end of the Amidah by Minha in case something happens during the meal that would prevent someone from saying the vidui later. The power of the vidui on Yom Kippur is extremely important, and we want to ensure that every single person secures this opportunity. Our community custom is to wear Tefillin by Minha.
How many times do we say vidui?
The vidui is said ten times throughout Yom Kippur. Five times in the silent Amidah, one time during selihot by Arbit, and another four times during the hazarah by day.
The vidui needs to be said standing. For the ‘al het’, while it is proper to stand, one who is elderly or very weak may sit. It is also preferable, to bend over a little while saying the vidui. One should also bang on the heart by the words of ahshamnu, bagadnu, etc.
Can I still eat after Birkat Hamazon before the fast starts?
According to some, it is preferable to have in mind not to accept the fast before reciting Birkat Hamazon. If one did not, he could still eat or drink, even if he planned on accepting the fast. However, if one verbalizes his acceptance of the fast, then he cannot eat or drink and all the other restrictions of Yom Kippur apply at that time.
Do we say a beracha on the tallet?
When donning the tallet before shekia, a beracha is recited. Afterward, the tallet should be put on without a beracha. Also, when returning to shul after an extended break for Minha on Yom Kippur, a beracha is recited again before donning the tallit.
There are five prohibitions on Yom Kippur: 1) No eating or drinking. 2) No washing. 3) No applying creams or oils to one’s skin. 4) No leather shoes. 5) No marital relations.
In truth, Yom Kippur is a happy and uplifting day. Unlike on Tisha B’Av where we abstain from these same five things as an expression of sadness and mourning, on this holy day the objective of abstaining from these same things, is to allow us to attain an angelic state. By removing ourselves from daily physical pleasures and indulgences, the holiness of our soul shines its brightest.
When does the fast start?
The fast should be accepted at least a few minutes before shekia (approximately 6:20 P.M. in the NY/NJ area). At that point, the five prohibitions mentioned above start.
For women who have the custom of reciting shehehianu when lighting, the fast would be accepted automatically at the time of the beracha. (They, therefore, need to light before reciting the beracha of shehehianu).
Do children under bar/bat mitsvah fast?
Kids that are above nine years old, (or ten years old if it is difficult), should start fasting at night and at least part of the day. The time they eat in the morning should be pushed off for an hour or longer, depending on what they can withstand.
Shulchan Aruch writes that from eleven years old, both boys and girls, if they are healthy, should fast the whole day. However, many say that since nowadays it is difficult for many kids to withstand this, an eleven-year-old boy can wait until the year before his bar mitsvah to start fasting the entire day. Hacham Ovadia extends this leniency further, and allows fasting only until hatzot (midday), even during the year before. According to all, once they have reached the age of bar/bat mitsvah, they are required to fast like all adults.
How do I wash my hands?
In the morning, one should wash his fingers up to the knuckles three times. One who has the custom during the year to wash their hands three times after entering a restroom may also do so on Yom Kippur, but only up to the knuckles.
Kohanim should wash up to the wrist, but they only wash each hand one time. When a Levi washes his hands prior to washing the kohanim’s hands, he can only wash up to the knuckles.
My hands got dirty, can I wash them?
Any washing for cleanliness, (such as for unclean hands or even to remove gunk around the eye in the morning), is permitted. However, only the dirty area may be washed, and not the rest of the hand. If one touches his shoe, only the part of the hand that touched the shoe should be washed. One exception is if someone touched a covered part of their body, which would require washing before reciting a beracha or praying, then that hand should be washed up to the knuckles.
Other types of washing that are not for enjoyment, for example, washing fruit or vegetables for a kid to eat, are also permitted.
Can I use deodorant?
Smearing creams and oils is prohibited even if not done for pleasure. According to some opinions, using a spray deodorant is considered “washing,” which is permitted for cleanliness or to remove a bad odor. (A stick deodorant cannot be used even on Shabbat as it falls under the melacha of “memahek – smoothing”).
What if only part of the shoe is leather?
Shoes with even a leather sole or leather top may not be worn. However, if there is a small strip of leather intended for decorative purposes only, it may be worn. Similarly, a pair of flip-flops that has only a thin strap to hold the foot in place and does not protect the foot, is also permitted.
What if I don’t have any non-leather shoes?
If one is worried that he will get hurt or dirty, then he may wear leather footwear outside if he has no other option. For example, if it is pouring rain or muddy, one may wear appropriate shoes or boots outdoors to remain dry and clean. However, they should be removed immediately when entering the house or shul.
Can kids wear leather shoes?
If they have a non-leather pair of shoes, then only those should be worn and not the leather ones.
Can I take medicine?
Generally swallowing a medication tablet without water would not be considered eating and would be permitted. However, similar to every Shabbat, it is prohibited to take medicine unless one is ill/ bedridden. This would apply to Yom Kippur also and one would not be able to swallow pills unless he is ill.
Can one smell besamim?
It is permitted to smell besamim on Yom Kippur. In truth, it is actually preferable to recite berachot on besamim at different points throughout the day to help one reach the required 100 berachot. One can also listen to the berachot on keriat HaTorah and have in mind to fulfill his obligation with that.
When can I eat after the fast?
One is not allowed to eat or drink after the fast is over until after havdalah. However, it is permitted to drink water, if necessary.
Do we use a candle by havdalah?
After Yom Kippur, the beracha is only recited on a candle that fulfills two requirements: 1) The flame was in existence before Yom Kippur. A new candle can be lit from such a flame. 2) It was lit to benefit from the light, as opposed to a ‘yahrzeit candle’ that was lit in memory of someone. If one forgot to light such a candle before Yom Kippur, and he only has a ‘yahrzeit candle’, he can light a candle from the ‘yahrzeit candle’ and then recite the beracha on both of them together.
If one does not have such a candle, an effort should be made to get one from a friend or neighbor. If there is no such option, then in a regular year the beracha is not recited. However, this year when Yom Kippur is on Motsei Shabbat, the beracha can still be recited on a regular candle.
Do we recite the beracha on the besamim?
In a regular year, the beracha is not recited on besamim. This year when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat, it is subject to debate. Therefore, one should not say the beracha during havdalah, rather, wait until after drinking the wine and recite the beracha on the besamim then.