Hilchos Yom Kippur

Erev Yom Kippur

Kapparos

1. The preferred time for Kapparos is on Erev Yom Kippur. If necessary one can do it earlier, any time during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah.
2. The custom is to take a chicken for Kapparos. If this is not feasible, money can be used.
3. There are two customs amongst those who use a chicken. Some follow the way stated in the Arizal that each family member takes his/her own chicken (a male uses a rooster, and a female uses a hen), while other have the custom to do Kapparos all together and use one rooster for all the males and one hen for all the females.
4. When using money for Kapparosthere is no specific figure mentioned in the Poskim. Some who do Kapparosfor the whole family together take the amount equivalent to the
5. value of a chicken (approx. 30 NIS). Some take 18 NIS (18 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word “Chai” - life). However, since, as mentioned, no actual figure is stated, those who do Kapparosfor each family member individually can use even just 1 NIS.
6. When using money for Kapparos, instead of saying “this chicken should go to its death”, one says “tis money will go to charity”.
7. One may not use Ma’asermoney for Kapparos.
8. The money used for Kapparos should be given to the poor. If a chicken was used, he should share its meat to the poor, or redeem its value on money and distributed to the poor.
9. It is not necessary to give to the poor the actual coins or notes used for Kapparos, rather its worth must be handed to them. Alternatively, he can use a credit card or do a bank transfer to credit their account.
10. Although Kapparos for someone else should ideally only be done when the person is physically present, nevertheless if a Bachur in Yeshiva has no money to use for Kapparos, his parents can do it for him. They should mention his name and say ”this is the exchange for ‘Ploni Ben Ploni’ ”.
11. Several people can do Kapparos together with one chicken. However, the same chicken should not be used more than once.
12. A pregnant woman - if she is less than 40 days pregnant, one hen suffices for both. If after 40 days, she should take also a rooster. This is if her custom is to suffice with one rooster for several males and one hen for several females. However, if her custom is that each individual takes their own rooster/hen, then it would depend - if she knows the gender of the fetus, she should take an additional rooster or hen accordingly. If not, she should take two hens and one rooster.
13. If the pregnant woman is using money for Kapparos and her custom is to do separate Kapparos for each family member, she take double the money she would use for just herself.
14. She says the wording in the plural (“this is ‘our’ exchange”).

Eating on Erev Yom Kippur

1. There is a Mitzvahto eat on Erev Yom Kippur,for both men and women.
2. Some contend that the Mitzvah begins already on the eve of Erev Yom Kippur, however the general conclusion of the Poskim is that the Mitzvah applies only during the day.
3. Even those who are sick and must eat on Yom Kippur, they too have a Mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur.
4. Some refrain the entire day of Erev Yom Kippurfrom eating eggs, garlic (some say only when hot), cheese and other hot dairy products. Some are lenient and eat these foods in the morning (until Chatzos). The custom is to be lenient regarding cold milk products in the morning. Coffee with milk is not included in the above-mentioned restrictions.
5. It is a Mitzvah to eat fish on Erev Yom Kippur. This should be prior to the Seudah Hamafsekes. Some eat Kreplach(meat enclosed in a cooked pastry) on Erev Yom Kippur.

Going to the Mikvah

1. It is a Mitzvahto immerse oneself in the Mikvahon Erev Yom Kippur. One should keep in mind the Halachos of 'Chatziza'(foreign item interposing between the body and the water). Therefore in addition to a thorough shower one should also brush one’s teeth etc. before immersion.
2. Some say that one should immerse three times
3. Some women have the custom to go to the Mikvah. However, in the 'seven clean days' there are Poskim who contend that they should not go.
4. The ideal time to go is between Chatzosand davening Minchah. One should try not to go prior to one hour before Chatzos. If no other option is available he can go anytime from Alos Hashachar.
5. One davens Minchah wearing Shabbos garments after having gone to the Mikvah. One should daven early in the day to ensure that there will remain ample time for the Seudah Hamafsekes.
6. A Yeshivah Bachurwho davens Minchahwith his Yeshivah and was unable to immerse beforehand, should go to the Mikvah after Minchah.

Seuda Hamafsekes

•  The final meal eatenbefore Yom Kippuris called the Seuda Hamafsekes.
• It is preferable to eat the meal with bread. If a person finds this difficult, it is not essential to have bread.
• Light, easily digestible foods should be eaten, to prevent over satiation that could lead to daven with pride.
• Some dip in honey the piece of bread on which Ha’motzie was recited.
• Poultry is eaten at this meal, but not beef.
• Hot fish should not be eaten at this meal. Some are lenient and eat cold fish.
• During this meal, the men do not eat foods that could cause extra warmth to the body. Included are, eggs, garlic, hot cheese or milk (some refrain also from cold milk or cheese). One also refrains from drinking strong old wine.
• Milk in a coffee and the like, is permitted.
• One should refrain from eating sesame seeds since it could cause phlegm later in the evening and disturb his davening.

Laws related to Birchas Ha’mazon

• Strictly speaking, one may continue to eat and drink after Birchas Ha'mazon. So too, Melacha may be performed. However, some are of the opinion that Birchas Ha’mazon is a form of accepting the fast and the aforementioned activities are forbidden. Therefore, it is correct to make a condition (either verbal or having in mind) that he is not accepting the fast with Birchas Ha'mazon.

Tosefes Yom Hakippurim

• It is a Torah obligation to add Mey’chol al Ha’kodesh. This means that one must begin the fast whilst it is still day and refrain before sunset (Shekiyah) from all the activities forbidden on Yom Kippur.

Candle lighting

• On Erev Yom Kippur there are five scenarios that require candles to be lit, as will be explained.
•  [A] Just as lights are kindles every Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov, so too candles are lit in honor of Yom Kippur. The Bracha “Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Hakipurim”is recited.
• Some women say also the Brachaof Shehecheyanuwhen lighting. Others wait until after Kol Nidrei and say it together with the congregation in Shul. A woman who has no fixed custom, should wait and say it with everyone else in Shul.
• One who says Shehecheyanuwhen lighting candles must first remove leather shoes. Care must be taken not to repeat it in Shul after Kol Nidrei.
• Since one must derive benefit from the Yom Tov candles, they must be lit in a room that will be used on Yom Kippur. (This may be a different room than where one usually lights Shabboscandles, as there is no Seudahon Yom Kippur).
• [B] Someone who has lost a parent should light a Ner Neshamain their merit. One candle is enough for someone orphaned of both parents, or for a couple who have both lost parents.
• [C] Every married man of B'nei Ashkenaz should light a candle in addition to the Yom Kippurcandles. This candle is called Ner Haborior the Ner Hachaim. If this candle extinguished during Yom Kippur, some are particular to relight it, nevertheless according to Halachah it is not necessary to do so.
• [D] An additional, 25-hour candle, should be lit. This candle is called the Ner Sheshovasand should be used for Havdalah.
• [E] Every married couple of Bn'ei Ashkenaz should light a candle in their bedroom [in case of risk of fire, it is sufficient that the room is lit by electricity]. However, if either the Ner Haboriah or the Ner Sheshovas is lit in their room, no other candle is necessary.

 Halachos of Yom Kippur

Blessing the children

• Many fathers have the custom to bless their sons and daughters (the Nusach can be found in the Machzor) before going to Shul for Kol Nidrei.

Wearing the Tallis and Kittel

• The Tallis and the Kittel are worn during all the Tefillos of Yom Kippur. The Tallis should be put on whilst still day in order to be able to recite the Bracha.
• There are various Minhagimregarding whether someone in his first year of marriage wears a Kittel.
• The Kittelshould not be worn in the bathroom.

Clothing and jewelry

• One shouldn't wear fancy, expensive clothing on Yom Kippur.
• Due to fear of the judgement, women should not wear the jewelry that they usually wear on Shabbos and Yom Tov. They may wear their regular plain weekday jewelry.

Prohibition of Melachah

• Any Melachahforbidden on Shabbosis likewise forbidden on Yom Kippur. (The only difference is that one who intentionally does a Melachahon Shabbos the cardinal punishment is S’kila (stoned by Beis Din), whereas on Yom Kippurhe is punished with Kareis.)

Prohibition of washing

• On Yom Kippur it is forbidden to wash even a small part of the body (even just one finger). There is no difference if hot or cold water is being used.
• Upon awakening in the morning the hands are washed (Negel Vasser) only until the knuckles (knuckles included). One may wash as he is accustomed during the year, either 6 or 8 times.
• It is forbidden to wash one’s face or eyes on Yom Kippur. If there is mucus or dirt, one may dampen one’s finger to remove it.
• Rinsing out the mouth is forbidden, even if this causes great discomfort. However, after vomiting one may wash away the residue.
• There is a dispute in the Poskim regarding washing hands for someone who merely entered the bathroom (e.g. to fetch tissues) - the final decision of the Biur Halachah is that he should just rub his hands (on a garment or the side of a table etc.) but not wash them. (If he feels uneasy and his concentration is disturbed, he may wash up to the knuckles in order to regain his peace of mind.)
• If he used the bathroom and wiped himself or his fingers came in contact with some urine, he should afterwards wash his hands until the knuckles since this is included in washing off dirt. If he did not wipe himself nor touch any urine and is in the middle of davening, he washes his hands as above. However, on the eve of Yom Kippur after Arvis, there is a discussion in the Poskim if he may wash even though he finished davening since Asher Yatzar is to be recited. The correct practice is to wipe oneself or touch a drop of urine thereby “creating” a valid need to wash the hands (up to and including the knuckles).
• Even though throughout the year one washes one’s hands prior to davening, on Yom Kippurthis is not done.
• Washing for medical reasons is permitted. Therefore, if someone has a strong headache that prevents him from functioning and he feels that his place is in bed (this is classified as a 'Choleh She'ein Bo Sakanah), he may wash with cold water if this will relieve his condition.
•  A doctor may wash his hands before and after treating a patient as done throughout the year.
• Kohanim going up to Duchan wash the entire hand.
• Children and sick people who must eat, wash the entire hand.

Rubbing in lotion

• On Yom Kippur it is forbidden to apply lotions or oils, even to just a small area of the body. This is so even if it is not being done for enjoyment or it is just done to help removing dirt.
• Perfume or deodorants are not to be applied on Yom Kippur. However, one may apply them prior to Yom Kippur.
• Applying lotions for medical reasons is permitted. Therefore, someone who has a condition that categorizes him as a patient who may take medication and apply lotions on Shabbos and Yom Tov, may do so too on Yom Kippur. The lotion should be runny so as not to involve the Melachah of Memareyach (smoothening).

Leather shoes

• It is forbidden to wear leather shoes on Yom Kippur. Shoes made from other materials are permitted. Some are stringent and only wear the permitted type of shoe if it is soft enough that the wearer feels himself walking on the hard ground. Some are stringent and wear only socks.
• One should educate the children from a young age (2 or 3 years old) not to wear leather shoes on Yom Kippur. If the child needs to go outdoors and he has nothing other than his leather shoes, he may wear them.
• Non-leather shoes that are extremely comfortable and suitable for walking in them, even though one cannot rebuke those who are lenient to wear them, but it is preferable not to wear them.

Marital relations

• On Yom Kippur marital relations are forbidden. In addition, all the rules of Harchakos (distancing) between husband and wife are to be applied the entire Yom Kippur as if she were to be in her Niddah status.

The Tefillos on Yom Kippur

One hundred Brachos and the Bracha on Besamim

• The total number of Brachos recited in the Tefillos on Yom Kippur reach 68 (more or less, depending on various customs). Those who have intention to be Yotzei when hearing the Brachos of those called to the Torah and the Maftir (both during Shacharis and Minchah) and answer Amein, they have an additional 29 Brachos (this is so according to the custom of B’nei Ashkenaz). If so, he is lacking 3 Brachos to complete a hundred Brachos. The Mishnah Berurah writes that one could add Brachos to the list if he hears the Chazan repeating the Sh’mona Esrei.
• The Bracha of Asher Yatzar can be included, and so too the Bracha recited over Besamim. One must take care not to bless unnecessarily on the Besamim. A second Bracha can be recited only if quite some time has elapsed and he has diverted his mind from smelling again the Besamim after the previous time.
• If the Bracha on the Besamim was recited in Shul, no new Bracha needs to be recited if he left the building and later returned (unless he diverted his mind from smelling them again). He can recite a second Bracha if he wishes to smell a different type of Besamim.

Personal requests

• One may add personal requests during the davening on Yom Kippur.

Praying in private

• The one who prays in private should pray Tfillas Lachash as usual, and should say only the Viddui (confessions) of the Tfillas Lachash.
• Regarding 'Kol Nidrei', Piutim and the other Vidduim, there is no obligation to recite them, but whoever wishes to recite them, may do so.
• 'Yud Gimal Midos', and even Piutim that contains 'Yud Gimal Midos', could be recited with Te'amim,
• 'Yizkor' should be recited even in private.

Bowing down on the floor during Mussaf

• When bowing down on the floor during Mussaf, one must make sure that something is placed to interpose between himself and the ground. He may use his Tallis for this. The most important point to keep in mind is that his head should not be touching the ground.
• One who uses writing paper for this purpose must remove its Muktzeh status before Yom Kippur by designating it. He should have in mind that he will use it for this permitted purpose. The designation is effective even though this use is just for one day. Afterwards the paper should be discarded and not used for writing.

The Bracha on the Tallis at Minchah

• A Bracha is not said upon donning the Tallis at Minchah, even if there is a Hefsek of a few hours, even if one sleeps, since it is unclear if it is considered that he diverted his mind from it.

Halachos of the sick on Yom Kippur

Who is exempt from fasting

• A Choleh Sh'yesh Bo Sakanah– someone to whom the fast would be damaging, or worsen his condition, should not fast. (In many cases, just drinking Shiurim is sufficient).
• A Choleh Sh'ein Bo Sakanah– someone to whom the fast is not a danger to him, should fast.

Young children

• Up to the age of nine - children do not fast at all, and may even be fed. From the age of nine until the age of Bar Mitzvah – they should be trained to delay their regular meal for about an hour [e.g. a child who is used eating breakfast at ten o'clock, should eat at 11 o'clock. A snack that he eats in the morning is not considered a regular meal].
• Regarding the eve of Yom Kippur - if children feel the need for it, they may eat.

Pregnant women

• If the pregnancy is a normal, healthy pregnancy and the woman feels well, she should fast as usual. She should make sure to prepare herself before the fast by drinking 3- 4 liters of liquid in the 24 hours before Yom Kippur. During the fast she should try to rest as much as possible, and to stay in an air-conditioned room.
• A woman who is having contractions should drink Shiurim. If this is not sufficient, she should drink like normal.
• A woman (or anyone else) who feels very weak and so dizzy that it's difficult for her to stand should drink Shiurim.
• Nausea in pregnancy is not dangerous to the baby. However, one who often vomits must drink Shiurim to prevent getting dehydrated.
• A woman with a hemoglobin level of less than 9 should not fast, but rather eat and drink Shiurim.
• A woman who is having a complicated or high-risk pregnancy should speak to a Rav regarding her specific details.

Nursing mothers

• Those nursing should fast on Yom Kippur. They should prepare well before Yom Kippur by drinking a lot of grape juice in the 2 days before the fast. Those who can should pump milk before the fast in order to preserve their fluids on Yom Kippur (helping them fast). When the fast is over it is advisable that they should drink a lot of grape juice for the milk to return.
• A woman with a nursing baby should be sure to prepare enough pumped milk to last their baby through Yom Kippur.
• A woman with a baby who doesn't drink from a bottle, or runs out of pumped milk, and the only food source for the baby is nursing, and she does not have enough milk which could pose a danger for the baby, should drink Shiurim of a beverage with energy such as grape juice every 4 minutes. If this is not sufficient, she should drink as usual. (Generally drinking is enough, with no need to eat.)

Women after birth

• A woman who has given birth within 3 days before Yom Kippur, should not fast. If she wishes to fast, she should just eat Shiurim.
• A woman who gave birth on the seventh of Tishrei, according to the Shulchan Aruch is considered on Yom Kippur as having given birth within seven days as her ruling is explained below, but the Mishnah Brurah rules that until three days have passed entirely [72 hours], that is until three full days later at the same hour that she gave birth, she is considered as having given birth within three days, as explained in the previous paragraph.
• A woman who has given birth from the fourth of Tishrei onwards should eat and drink Shiurim.
• If she believes that she can fast and her doctor says she can, then she must fast. If she isn't sure, she should eat and drink Shiurim.
• A woman who gave birth on the third of Tishrei according to the Shulchan Aruchshould fast, and according to the Mishnah Berurah she eats and drinks Shiurim until the reaches the hour of birth a week ago, and that is the Hallachah in practice.
• A woman who gave birth before 3 Tishrei should fast like all other women.

Taking medication

• A Choleh Sh'yesh Bo Sakanah, should take medication as normal.
• A Choleh Sh'ein Bo Sakanah (someone who would go lie down, or can't function without medicine), even if there is no danger, may take non-flavored medicine. If they can't swallow them without water, there is a lenient opinion to embitter the water and to take the medicines with bitter water.
• One who has pain which is not severe enough to come under the category of Choleh Sh'ein Bo Sakanah, is forbidden to take medicine on Yom Kippur, even without water. (Similar to Shabbos.)

Eating and drinking Shiurim

• The Torah prohibits eating or drinking even the tiniest bit on Yom Kippur.
• One who eats more than the amount of כותבת הגסה (see no 103, 104) would get the more extreme punishment of Kareis (if done on purpose), or Chatos (if done by mistake). Therefore, someone who is unable to fast should try to eat less than this amount if possible.
• Therefore, one who fears that by going to the Shul he will have to eat and drink more, should better stay at home to rest. It is also recommended for the husband to stay at home to help his wife, if by doing so his wife will have to eat less
• One who is eating Shiurim should wait 9 minutes (the stringent time for 'Zeman Shel Achilas Pras') between each Shiur.
• A Chole who is unable to wait 9 minutes between Shiurim may shorten the time up to 4 minutes, and if necessary, to 2 minutes.
• If it takes someone more than 9 minutes to eat a Shiur, he does not need to wait 9 minutes until the next Shiur. However, he should still wait a bit to ensure never to eat more than a Shiur in 9 minutes.
• The measurement of Shiurim is based on size, not weight.
• Therefore, it is preferable not to eat bread/ Challah as Shiurim because they lack density. Crackers would be a better option.
• The Shiur size of solid foods is 30cm³- the size of a small matchbox (including the box).
• The shiur size of liquids is 40 cc.
• Even though measuring is usually forbidden on Yom Kippur or Shabbos, one may measure out Shiurim on Yom Kippur since it's for Refuah or a Mitzvah.

Kiddush, Netilas Yadayim and Bracha Acharona

1. Someone who is eating on Yom Kippur (a child or sick person) does not make Kiddush or Lechem Mishnah. He should recite 'Ya'eleh Ve'yavo'at Birkas Ha'mazon, although if forgotten one should not repeat the Birkas Ha'mazon since there are opinions that 'Ya'eleh Ve'yavo' is not recited.
2. One who is washing for bread on Yom Kippur should wash his full hands as usual.
3. One who is eating Shiurim of bread should wash without saying the Bracha of 'Netilas Yedayim'.
4. Since the size of a solid Shiur is considered by some to be a Kezayis, if one would usually say a Bracha Acharona on this size, he should say also here.
5. According to all opinions, the liquid size Shiur is not enough for a Bracha Acharona.
6. The Bracha before eating and drinking is preserved [so that he does not have to bless again] as long as the person has not diverted his mind from eating and drinking more.

Motsei Yom Kippur

1. Since the hands were not fully washed upon waking up on Yom Kippur morning, on Motsei Yom Kippur, some wash their hands as they would do in the morning for Netilas Yadayim.
2. Some hold that as soon as one says 'Baruch Hamavdil' on Motsei Yom Kippur, it
3. is permissible to drink water.
4. When making Havdalah on the wine we recite 'Hagofen', then the Bracha of Me'orei Ha'eish', and then the Bracha of 'Hamavdil'.
5. The Bracha of 'Me'orei Ha'eish' should only be recited on the Ner Sheshovas - the candle lit before Yom Kippur. (Although we usually use at least two wicks for Havdalah, here many people only use the one wick of the Ner Sheshovas.)
6. One who does not have this candle should not recite this Bracha. If possible, some say to go a neighbor who has this candle.
7. The Ner Habori or Ner Neshama can't be used for Havdalah unless one had in mind before Yom Kippur that they will be using it for Havdalah, and it should be used together with another wick (it is not clear whether one condition is sufficient).
8. The Rem"a (סימן תרכ"ד ס"ה) writes that Motsei Yom Kippur is a kind of Yom Tov, so we should eat and rejoice. The Sha'ar Hatsion(סימן תרכ"ג ס"ק ט"ז) adds that on Motsei Yom Kippur we should wish each other a 'good Yom Tov'.

It is a mitzvah to start building the Succah on Motsei Yom Kippur. It's enough to do a tiny bit, if one finishes the next day (if possible). On the day after Yom Kippur we daven earlier than usual. The Mishnah Berurah ((סימן תרכ"ד ס"ק י"ד writes that one should arise early this day to show that we don't just humble ourselves at the time we come to beg for mercy over our judgement.