(Hakhel)
We provide a few brief notes below from the Sefer Kovetz Halachos: Yomim Noraim by Rabbi Doniel Kleinman, Shlita, containing the pesokim of HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Shlita:
1. One performing Kapparos on behalf of another (moving the chicken, fish or money around his head) and reciting ‘Zeh Chalifaseich’ should first recite Kapparos for himself–so that one who already Zakkai can come and help someone else become Zakkai.
2. If one knows that his friend does not perform Kapparos–it does not appear that it will help to perform Kapparos on his behalf without his knowledge.
3. A child over the age of nine who will at least fast for a portion of Yom Kippur should also be educated on the importance of eating Erev Yom Kippur.
4. If someone drinks water after the Seudas HaMafsekes, and is doing so not because he is thirsty, but just that he won’t be thirsty on Yom Kippur, would not make a bracha on the water.
5. Both the father and the mother should bentsch a child on Erev Yom Kippur.
6. It is better for the one being blessed to be in close proximity to the one giving the blessing, but the bracha may be given at a distance as well.
7. If one embarrassed his friend in public, one must ask for his mechila in public as well. However, it is enough to ask for mechila in front of ten people even if he embarrassed him in front of more than ten people.
8. Not only should spouses ask mechila of each other, but family members should ask mechila of each other as well, for through the course of the year they may hurt each other in some way.
9. One should ask mechila of a child whom he hurt or embarrassed–even thought he must do so again when he becomes bar/bas mitzvah in order to obtain forgiveness.
10. Each time we recite Viduy it is a separate Mitzvah, and one should have Kavannah that he is being mekayem the Mitzvas Asei Min HaTorah of Viduy. One Viduy is not me’akev any other. Children should also be taught to recite Viduy. In the aggregate, one who recites Viduy in shul will have recited ten Viduyim which, the Tur (Orach Chaim 620) writes corresponds to the ten times that the Kohein Gadol mentions the Ineffable Name on Yom Kippur. If a person is davening at home, he need not make up the Viduyim that would be otherwise recited in Chazaras HaShatz.
11. VeAhl Kulam Eloak Selichos is not part of the Vidui, and need not be recited in a bowed position.
12. If one recites the details of various sins found in alphabetical order in the Chayei Adam (Chapter 143), it would be considered as if he is specifically listing his sins. Of course, one should add any specific sins that he remembers. When one adds his own specific sins in his own language, he may be more sincere and embarrassed, and feel greater remorse about his sin.
13. One beats his chest when reciting the words of Ashamnu as well as when reciting the words Shechatanu in the Al Chait, and the words Al Chatayim at the end of the Al Cheit. Additionally, one should also beat his chest when mentioning any specific sin that he adds on his own.
14. Some have the custom not to wear gold objects on Yom Kippur. This would not include white gold, nor would it include anything which may look like gold, but is not truly gold.
15. One who has the custom of washing his hands four times when he wakes in the morning, should only wash three times on Yom Kippur, and one who has the custom of washing three times upon leaving the bathroom, should only wash once. One should not use deodorant, as it is considered Sicha on Yom Kippur.
16. Women should also recite Tefillas Zaka, and skip the parts that do not relate to them. Women must be careful not to recite Shehechiyanu twice.
17. One should bring himself to cry in his Tefillos on Yom Kippur and should make his requests of Hashem–even when Yom Kippur falls out on Shabbos.
18. When mentioning Shabbos in the Friday night davening, it would appear appropriate that one have in mind that he is fulfilling the Mitzvah of Zechiras Shabbos.
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