YOM KIPPUR SPECIALS

excerpts taken from "The Book of Our Heritage" by Elihayu Kitov

KOL NIDREI

Before sunset, the Ark is opened, and two of the most honoured of the congregants take out two Torah scrolls. They leave the ark open, circle the 'Bimah' (synagogue pulpit) and say aloud the verse: 'Light is sown for the righteous, and for the upright of heart (there is) joy.' The congregation repeats after them while kissing the Torah scrolls joyously and enthusiastically -- like children lovingly hovering about the mother who bore them. When the 'hakafah' (the circling about the 'Bimah') is completed, the two step near the 'shaliach tzibur' (the precentor) and remain standing by his side with the Torah scrolls in their hands, till they complete that part of the Kol Nidrei service.

The Yom Kippur prayers begin with the chanting of Kol Nidrei before sunset since it is a form of the repealing of vows, and vows are not repealed Shabbat and Yom Tov. Just as the scholar who repeals a vow says to the one who made it: 'It is repealed unto you' three times, so is Kol Nidrei repeated three times.

Before Kol Nidrei the Sephardim chant the hymn, 'To You my God, is my desire,' which opens the heart and fills it with yearning for God. The hymn also contains a formula of confession, which is required according to many authorities, after the 'se'udah hamafseket' and before the 'sanctity-of-the day' sets in.

In the petition of Kol Nidrei there is a declaration which nullifies future vows, and according to many authorities, also a repeal of past ones. For our Sages have stated: 'Whoever wants his vows for the coming year not to be binding, let him rise on Rosh Hashanah and declare: 'Any vow which I will make in the future, shall be nullified.' Such a declaration renders invalid any vow made later, in forgetfulness of the original declaration; the reason being, that we surmise it to be thought of one who later makes such a vow that -- were he to remember his earlier stated unwillingness to accept vows -- he would refrain from uttering one. His later vow is to be considered as made in error.

YIZKOR -- THE REMEMBRANCE OF SOULS

The Sages prescribed that children recall to memory, the souls of their departed parents during prayer every Yom Tov; at which time they are also to pledge charity to 'increse the merit of the departed and to enable their souls to 'ascent.' 'Hazkarat neshamot' follows the Torah-reading but precedes the return of the scrolls to the ark. 'Hazkarat neshamot' is recited the last day of 'Pesach'; the second day of 'Shavu'ot', and on 'Shemini Atzeret'. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered as one in this matter, and Hazkarat neshamot is said on 'Yom Kippur' for both.

Hazkarat neshamot is of greater significance on Yom Kipper though, than it is at other times, since the very essence of the day is the quest for forgiveness and atonement; which are as necessary for the deceased as for the living. And although it is written: 'Among the dead, there is freedom' which the Rabbis expounded to mean that: 'Once a person dies, he becomes free of Torah and mitzvot,' nevertheless, charity pledged by children for 'the ascent of their parents soul,' avails their parents.

If one's parents are still alive, he leaves the synagogue during Yizkor, because of the possible envy of the orphaned. Another reason is that he might err and recite Yizkor with the congregation, and he would be like one 'opening his mouth for Satan.' A third reason: So that he might not stand silent while all pray. Among the Sephardim however, the entire congregation remains in the synagogue. The 'Chazan' alone recites 'Hamerachem' (Yizkor), and each individual gives him the name of his own deceased for mention in the collective prayer. The Sephardim recite hazkarat neshamot every Shabbat and every Yom Tov.

Sources: Rabbi Yissochar Dov Turnheim Prepared by team of Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto

High Holidays resources:

Month of Elul	What is it? (Russian) About Teshuvah (Russian) Fall Holidays (Russian)	Teshuva & Simcha: Can They Coexist? (English) Why Slichoth? (Russian)
Rosh HaShanah	What is it? (Russian) Traditions (Russian) Hearing the Shofar (Russian) Apple in the Honey (Russian)	What is it? (English) Traditions (English) Laws of Rosh HaShanah (English) Rosh HaShanah recipes (English)
Yom Kippur	What is it? (Russian) Preparing to Yom Kippur (Russian) The Jewish Prayer (Russian) Elegy about Yom Kippur (Russian) The book of Yonah (Russian)	What is it? (English) Preparing to Yom Kippur (English) Kol Nidrey & Yizkor (English) Day before Yom Kippur (Russian)
Sukkoth	What is it? (Russian) Themes of Kohelleth (Russian) Shmini Atzereth & Simchath Torah (Russian)	What is it? (English) Arbah Minnim - 4 species (English) Ushpizen (English) Simchas Bais HaShoevah (English)

Last update: September 1, 2001
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