Selichot at the Kotel (5772 / 5773)

B"H

Last Mozzaei Shabbat: SELICHOT at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem. You can hear a Shofar in the background. 

I took the video some time before midnight when the place wasn't that crowded yet. Most people arrived far after midnight, as at that time, the heavenly "Gates of Mercy" are open. 

Rosh Hashana in Brief

Seen in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

1. Do women have to participate in Selichot ? 

No, but if they want to they are free to do so. 

Photos: Miriam Woelke

2. Is it allowed to say the Selichot in another language besides Hebrew ? 

Yes, because the person praying has to understand the meaning of the words. However, it is said that prayers in Hebrew are more powerful. 

On Erev Rosh Hashana, the Shofar is not blown but only during Shacharit the following morning. 

3. How should a Jew prepare for Rosh Hashana ?

There are different customs many Jews like to follow. Visiting graves of Zaddikim, giving Zedakah, doing Cheshbon Nefesh, buying new clothes, new shoes and getting a new haircut.

From Erev Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur we dip bread and Challot into honey and don't put on the usual salt. Honey is the sign for a sweet new year and this is what we are asking for.

4. Is it allowed to cry during the prayer service on Rosh Hashana ? 

Definitely and there are Kabbalists claiming that those who cry on Rosh Hashana show their pure hearts and honest Teshuva. It is also said that when a person is starting to cry during the service, the heavenly court is judging him at that very moment.

5. How should we behave on Rosh Hashana ? 

By being joyful and hoping that G - d is judging us favourably. Rosh Hashana is a joyful holiday and we shouldn't sit around depressed . Just the opposite but we still shouldn't forget that it is still a serious holiday.

6. Are we allowed to nap after the Synagogue service ? 

Usually not but there are people who do take an afternoon nap on the second day.

Selichot with Rabbi Chaim Adler at Jerusalem's Great Synagogue

Selichot for Ashkenazim

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Sephardic Jews have already started their Selichot on Rosh Chodesh ELUL whereas Ashkenazi Jews are only starting tonight. In Jerusalem, thousands of Jews are either streaming to the Kotel (Western Wall) or to their local Synagogues. 

Here are a few pictures from Jews streaming into the Great Synagogue (in Keren Hayesod Street) tonight:

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sephardic Selichot

Selichot at "Nehar Shalom"

Selichot at the NEHAR SHALOM Synagogue in Nachlaot / Jerusalem.

NEHAR SHALOM is a Yemenite Kabbalistic Synagogue and Yeshiva founded by Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi z"l.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Chassidic SELICHOT Guide

B”H 

Chassidut Gur is starting to pray Selichot at 12.30pm tonight. 

Where ? In Yirmeyahu Street  / Jerusalem. 

The Belzer in Jerusalem start their Selichot service tomorrow morning (Sunday morning) at 5am. 

Where? At their Beit Midrash in Kiryat Belze. 

Vishnitz in Bnei Brak: Rabbi Israel Hager is starting his Selichot service tonight at 12.30pm. His brother and competitor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (Mendele) Hager is starting at 12.00am. 

The Boyaner in Jerusalem are starting at 12.30am tonight. 

Nadvorna in Bnei Brak is starting tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 5.00am. 

Seret – Vishnitz in Haifa is starting at 1am tonight. 

Chassidut Chernobyl in Bnei Brak is starting at 12.30am tonight. 

Chassidut Ungvar in Ramot / Jerusalem: Tomorrow morning, 4.30am, beginning of the Selichot. 

The Shomrei Emunim are, as usual, late. The Selichot service in Mea Shearim is starting at 1.30am tonight. 

Dushinsky Jerusalem is starting at 5am tomorrow morning. 

Sadigura Bnei Brak is starting at 11pm tonight. 

The Kaliver Rebbe in Jerusalem is starting at midnight. Pinsk – Karlin: 11pm tonight.

Kretchnif in Jerusalem: 4.45am tomorrow morning. 

Shatz – Vishnitz in Haifa: 11pm tonight.

Sephardic SELICHOT

B"H 

With the beginning of the month of Elul, Sephardic Jewry started its SELICHOT prayers whereas Ashkenazi Jews only start on Mozzaei Shabbat (24 September 2011) before Rosh Hashana.

Selichot at the Kotel before Rosh HaShana

The night before Rosh HaShana 5771:

Selichot at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

SELICHOT Prayers in Toldot Aharon

See all pictures and video HERE !

Shabbat Shalom

Calories for Rosh HaShana:

Honeycake with chocolate top at our Bakery.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Once again, the national religious movement is organizing a congress on the subject of "Are we National Religious Jews allowed to accept money donations from the Christians ?" The congress is taking place in another ten days or so and I am giving further details next week. I just hope that I can make it to the congress and listen to Rabbi Zephania Drori, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner and Rabbi Dov Lipshitz (Founder of Yad Le'Achim).

The same old question all over again: Has the movement gone too far by taking money from Christian organizations ?

Yes, they have, by the way. Especially the "Love all Christians" Rabbi Shlomo Riskin from Efrat.

Many chassidic Rebbes are back from their summer vacation - collecting donation tour and now the Tish season is starting again. Most Rebbes were gone but the Belzer Rebbe mainly stayed in Jerusalem.

Last night I went on my night trip again. This time in Jerusalem.

My original plan was going to the "Kikaristim" - The Kids from downtown Zion Square (Kikar Zion). Religious runaways from home, runaways from Baal Teshuva families, all kinds of youngsters with problems and now mostly going for drugs or alcohol.

I went to the famous Kikaristim locations but, apparently, I was far too early. In the end, I ended up at the demonstrations of the Shalit family outside Netanyahu's Prime Minister apartment (where he doesn't even live).

Not too many people were visiting the tent of Avivah and Noam Shalit last night. In fact, I was almost alone with Gilad Shalit's mother. I am going to publish a full report and photos in the course of next week.

In this weeks's Torah Parasha "Netzavim" (Nitzavim), the Jews gather and stand before G - d. Just like us today on Rosh HaShana. We are still standing before G - d and hope that something good is coming out.

Despite all religion and holidays:

There is so much going on in our country and it is so extremely tense in Jerusalem (incl. the nearby settlements) that I sometimes feel like running away. Away from any news, Internet or even the noise of the buses. I will do so on Rosh HaShana and spend the holiday in Safed (northern Israel).

"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to all readers !

Selichot before Rosh HaShana

Source: Velveteen Rabbi

 

 

 

B"H

 

Ashkenazi Jewry is starting its SELICHOT prayers (before Rosh HaShana) on this week's Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night). This only gives us time for Selichot on Mozzaei Shabbat, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night.

I have started explaining the whole Selichot issue in detail on my German religious blog and will give some insights in English as well. However, while writing I cannot stop thinking about reality which says: It will be extremely hard for me finding some time going to the Kotel (Western Wall) and saying Selichot. Every year the same fight because I need to work and hardly have any time for anything else in the evening. The perfect day for me would be a Thursday night but then we already celebrate Rosh HaShana. 

A real challenge every year anew, as the Selichot are usually said after midnight or early in the morning at about 4am. There is no other way and I have to find some time, as we have no more Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and his justifications (for every fellow Jew) before G - d around.:-)

Sephardic Jewry has begun its SELICHOT

B"H

Sephardi Jews have just begun with their SELICHOT prayers before Rosh HaShana. Last night I listened live on the radio to one of those services. It sounds very different from Ashkenazi Selichot which only begin on Mozzaei Shabbat before Rosh HaShana but I find the tunes very original.





Here a few interesting photos from the Sephardic Selichot prayers taking place last year. Not every Ashkenazi Jew is used to listen to the Sephardic Selichots, as they are mostly sung together with oriental melodies.









All pictures may be viewed here:

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=6757&cat_id=1