Question:
I am Ashkenazi and have heard there are different opinions as to when one should start reciting selichos during the month of elul, please clarify when I am supposed to start and what are the different opinions revolving around this?
Answer:
The following is a dispute among the minhagim of the sefardia nd that of the Ashkenazim.
The Sephardic minhag is to begin reciting Selichos from the day after Rosh Chodesh Elul.
The Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 581:1 brings the Rosh (Rosh Hashana 4:14) that writes that a number of Geonim had the minhag of saying Selichos during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, while other places said them from Rosh Chodesh Elul because that is when Moshe was on Har Sinai receiving the second Luchot. These were days of prayer and begging for mercy for the Jewish people, concluding with Yom Kippur as the day of atonement. Tur Orach Chaim 581 notes that there are three different traditions and adds that the Ashkenaz tradition is to begin on the Saturday Night prior to Rosh Hashanah when Rosh HaShanah begins on Thursday or Shabbat. If it begins on Monday or Tuesday, Selichos begin on the Sunday prior to that. While the Rambam (Teshuva 3:4) follows the minhag of the Geonim, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the Sephardic minhag is to begin reciting Selichos from Rosh Chodesh Elul.
In sefer Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:1 it is brought that he agrees that such is the adopted opinion for the Sephardic minhag.
This is also quoted by the Arizal in Shaar Hakavanot 89:4, the Ravyah 542,the Machzor Vitri 323, the Kol Bo 65. The Meiri Chibur Hateshuva Page 207 says this is what should be done, and adds that selichos is a partial fulfillment of the chiyuv of learning the laws of each holidays 30 days prior to the holiday.
The Magen Avraham 581:2 explains that the Shulchan Aruch means from after Rosh Chodesh and not on Rosh Chodesh itself. The Mishna Brura in siman 581:1 agrees.
The Ashkenazic custom is to start reciting Selichos from the Sunday before Rosh HaShana, unless Rosh HaShana falls out on Monday or Tuesday, in which case, Ashkenazim start from two Sundays before Rosh HaShana.
The Rama in Orach Chaim 581:1 writes that the minhag Ashekenaz is to start saying Selichos from the Sunday before Rosh HaShana unless Rosh HaShana falls out on Monday or Tuesday, in which case, Ashkenazim start from two Sundays before Rosh HaShana. The Mishna Brurah in siman 581:6 explains that the reason that the preparation is no less than four days is because some had the custom to fast for ten days prior to Yom Kippur, however, since one can’t fast on the two days of Rosh Hashana, Shabbat Shuvah, or Erev Yom Kippur, one had to begin fasting four days prior to Rosh HaShana (see there for other reasons).
There are no Selichos on Shabbas , see the sefer Maamar Mordechai (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu) 34:2 what he writes about that there are no Selichos on Shabbat.
With regarding to the application of selichos for Women, it is noted that women are not obligated to recite Selichos, as it is only a Minhag. If they choose to, they must recite Birkot HaTorah first (especially if they are Sephardi).
In some European communities, it was common for women to attend Selichos, and, nowadays, some Ashkenazi women try to attend Selichos in the synagogue on the first night or Erev Rosh HaShana and Erev Yom Kippur.
One should try to initiate his sons in the Minhag of reciting Selichos but without causing them distress. Since these are auspicious days for prayer, one should at least train them to recite the prayers themselves, if not early in the morning/late at night. Some say Ashkenazim should ensure to bring them on the first night in any case. |