Selichos
3. On which day do we begin saying selichos?
The
sephardic custom is to begin on the second day of
Elul.
Ashkenazim begin on the Sunday before
Rosh Hashanah. If the first day of
Rosh Hashanah is on Monday or Tuesday,
ashkenazim begin saying
selichos two Sundays before
Rosh Hashanah.
4. What is the most preferable time to say selichos?
The ideal time is towards the end of the night close to halachic dawn when the divine attribute of mercy is dominant. Some congregations begin soon after dawn. According to some opinions, the next best time is at halachic midnight and indeed according to the Zohar this is equally appropriate as at dawn. Many communities begin the selichos on the first night at this time.
5. Can selichos be said during the day?
Selichos may be said at any time during the day. Most men say selichos in the morning before shacharis. Certain phrases are not appropriate during the day (e.g. "when they cry out at night") and should be omitted or suitably altered.
6. Is there any time when selichos cannot be said?
Selichos should not be said during the first half of the night since the thirteen attributes may not be recited at that time. The exception is the evening of Yom Kippur when selichos are said at night.
7. Must selichos be said with a minyan?
Although it is preferable to do so, it is not essential. An individual may say selichos but should omit the thirteen attributes of mercy. Alternatively, the thirteen attributes may be chanted with the tune of the Torah reading, in which case one should continue until the end of the verse. Also, the sections towards the end of the selichos that are said in Aramaic may only be said with a minyan.
8. Should one say the verses preceding each selicha?
Since these verses form the basis of the coming selicha they are even more important than the selicha. Therefore it is important to say them.
9. How should a person conduct himself if he cannot keep pace with the minyan with which he is saying selichos?
He should say selichos at his own pace but join the minyan for the thirteen attributes and then continue from where he left off. The minyan should be joined for 'shema koleinu' and viduy.
10. Can selichos be said in English?
Prayers are more powerful in their original Hebrew even if one does not understand the words. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the prayers be understood and if necessary one should find time to study them beforehand. A person who is not fluent in reading Hebrew may say any prayer, including selichos, in English. In this situation, a person reciting selichos without a minyan may even recite the thirteen attributes in English.
11. If selichos are said before shacharis, do any brachos need to be recited beforehand?
One should say elokai neshama, asher yatzar, al netelas yadayim and Bircas HaTorah. If selichos are said before halachic dawn, the b'racha al netelas yadayim should not be recited until after selichos.
12. Must one stand during selichos?
It is preferable to stand for the entire selichos. If this is difficult, one should at least stand when saying the thirteen attributes of mercy and the viduy.
13. Does one need to fast during this period?
Some people fast on the first day of selichos, and many people have the custom to fast on erev Rosh Hashanah (see question 33). These are only half-day fasts and the custom is to eat after mincha. There is no obligation to fast at all on these days and a person who is weak should certainly not attempt to do so. The main intention is to improve one's ways and come closer to Hashem.
14. If selichos are said at night, is tachanun said?
Even though tachanun is not said during mincha if it continues until after nightfall, it is said during selichos even at night. The head should be rested on the left arm, as it should if one is saying selichos in the morning and has not yet put on tefillin.
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