With Rosh Hashanah approaching, Lakewood Alerts is pleased to share the following practical halachos, written by HaRav Simcha Stender and reviewed and approved by HaRav Simcha Bunim Cohen.

Selichos and Erev Rosh Hashanah

• Birchas HaTorah should be recited before Selichos.

• Ashrei is an integral part of Selichos and should be recited before Selichos.

• When the tzibbur recites the Yud-Gimmel Middos, one should join them and then return to where he left off.

• Selichos should be recited standing. If standing throughout is difficult, at a minimum one should stand during Kel Melech Yoshev, the Yud-Gimmel Middos and Vidui.

• When going to the mikvah for Rosh Hashanah, it is best not to go until one hour before chatzos — approximately 12:00 noon in the Tri-State area. One should ideally immerse three times.

• If one recalls that he made a neder or began a ma’aseh tovah — for example, going to the mikvah every Erev Shabbos — without saying “bli neder,” and has done so at least three times, he should mention it to at least one of the dayanim.

Davening

• If one omits HaMelech HaKadosh, he must repeat Shemoneh Esrei. If one is unsure, he may assume it was said if the wording of the brachah differs from usual, such as on Yom Tov. Otherwise, he must assume it was omitted.

• If one omits one of the other changes and has already recited the Shem Hashem of that brachah, he should continue as usual.

• One should not speak from the beginning of the berachos of the tekios until after the final tekios following davening. Asher Yatzar may be recited after the first set of tekios.

• The established minhag is to stand when the Aron HaKodesh is opened. One who has difficulty standing may sit.

• When bowing fully during Chazaras HaShatz, there should be a separation between the head and the floor. Papers distributed for this purpose should be placed under the head, not the knees. A tallis may also be used. If one’s pants become dusty, they should not be wiped off due to the issur of Melabein.

• Those who normally make personal requests on Rosh Hashanah may do so this year as well, even though it falls on Shabbos.

Eating and Sleeping

• Those who have the minhag to make the brachah on the apple should ensure that dates and pomegranates are not on the table when reciting the brachah.

• The Shem Hashem may be recited in the Yehi Ratzon, provided it is said with proper kavanah.

• Even if one does not eat the siman, he may say the Yehi Ratzon without the Shem Hashem.

• On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, when making Shehecheyanu during Kiddush and hadlakas neiros, one should have a Shehecheyanu fruit within eyesight. It should not be served on the first night.

• One who recites Shehecheyanu should make sure to eat from the fruit. The minhag is for the rest of the family to have a small taste as well.

• There is an inyan not to sleep in a bed during the day. If necessary, one may take a nap after chatzos.

• Wasting time is akin to sleeping. Instead, one should learn, and if he is too tired to learn, he should recite Tehillim.

• Nuts are not eaten on Rosh Hashanah. Many are not makpid when nuts are cooked into another food and the dish is not identified as nut-based. For example, using nut flour in cooking is generally not an issue.

Aseres Yemei Teshuvah

• During the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, one may not eat pas palter — bread-like items baked by a non-Jew.

• Most Mezonos products, including pretzels, cakes and cookies, are subject to this restriction and should not be eaten when made by a non-Jew. Pasta and most cereals are not subject to this halachah. Cheerios are subject to a machlokes, but one may be meikel for children.

• When using money for kapparos, some say one should use the same amount it would cost to purchase a chicken. Others say any substantial amount is sufficient.

• Some have the custom to use one male chicken for several males and one female chicken for several females. Others say it is preferable for each person to have their own chicken.

• Since kapparos is required, one may not use maaser money. However, if one pays extra so that each person can have their own chicken, the additional amount may be paid with maaser money, provided it goes to tzedakah. Some say not to use maaser if having an individual chicken is the family’s minhag.

• The Rema writes that a pregnant woman should perform kapparos for the baby. If she does not know the baby’s gender and is using chickens, she should wave a male chicken in case the baby is a boy. Those whose minhag is to use one chicken per person should also wave an additional female chicken in case the baby is a girl.

Written by Rabbi Simcha Stender and reviewed and approved by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen.