Hilchot Yom Kippur

Laws for Erev Yom Kippur (day before Yom Kippur):

A) It is customary to do kapparos the day before Yom Kippur, its better to do it early in the morning because Hashem’s compassion is at its greatest. Many people do Kaparos with a chicken, for men you have to use male chicken and for woman you have to use a female chicken, an alternative to using chickens can be money. If using money you should take for one person the amount that the chicken would cost. For example, if you buy a chicken for $5 then you take $5 for each person in your family. For pregnant women you have to include the child in the stomach. You have to take the chicken or the money and spin it around on top of your head 3 times and say the following 3 times: if using chicken u say: For one person: “Zeh hali’fati kaparati. Zeh chatar’nigol leesh’hee’tah yealech, ve’ehkanes ani le’chaim tovim ool’shalom.” For many people at once: “Aylu halifat’chem, timurat’chem, kaparat’chem, aylu chatar’nigolim yeyl’chu lish’hee’tah, ve’teechan’su atem lichaim tovim oolshalom.” If using money you should say: (for one person): “Aylu chamaot halifati, timurati kaparati aylu chamaot yenat’nu lit’dakah, ve’aeh’chaneys ani lichaim tovim ool’shalom.” (for many people): Aylu chamaot halifat’chem timurat’chem kaparat’chem aylu chamaot yenat’nu lit’dakah, vetichan’su atem lichaim tovim ool’shalom” Make sure to say it three times. We do kaparot to remind us that what’s done with the chicken should be instead of us.

B) It is a mitzva to have elaborate meals, a person who eats and drinks on the day before Yom Kippur in order for it to help on Yom Kippur, its considered as if he fasted two days.

C) The sins committed b/w fellow man will not be forgiven with Yom Kippur unless we ask forgiveness from the people themselves. But the sins that are committed between us and Hashem will be forgiven with Yom Kippur. If you haven’t asked for forgiveness you should do it before Yom Kippur. If your friend doesn’t forgive u then u have to ask three times and after that no matter what, you don’t have to ask anymore. And the one that doesn’t forgive it says that Hashem wont forgive their sins either, so we should forgive easily. An interesting fact that is mentioned is when we ask forgiveness from a person they will forgive us, but they still have some sort of pain in their heart, however, when we ask forgiveness from Hashem He forgives us completely, and we are like new people in His eyes, with a new beginning. We should learn from Hashem, when a person asks for forgiveness we should forgive with a full heart, and make a new relationship with that person, like nothing was wrong between the two of you.

D) It is a mitzva for men to go to the mikva the day before Yom Kippur.

E) It is a custom to light candles for dead parents and grandparents.

F) When u go for mincha (afternoon prayers) on erev Yom Kippur then its good to wear Shabbat clothing. After mincha Avinu Malkeinu is not said.

G) It is customary to receive lashes, this should inspire us to repent for our sins. (men do this)

H) When you have your final meal you should dip a piece of bread into honey, you should eat food that is easy to digest like chicken. Its better not to eat spicy food. If after eating, you said the grace after meals and want to drink you have to say that you want to drink before saying grace after meals (birkat hamazon).

The last meal that we eat before Yom Kippur, is called Seudah Mafseket. There is a story that explains the mindset that we have to have when eating the last meal. There was a rich man and he had a bad dream and decided to go to Rav Zuzash, when he came to the Rabbi, he was told that he has to fast, the rich man said he couldn’t, and if there anything else he can do. So Rav Zuzash told him to go to Rav Elimelech. So the man goes to Rav Elimelech and, the Rav tells him that he doesn’t have to fast, in fact he made the man promise him that he has to eat steaks every night and meals fit for a king, on one condition, before eating he has to come to the Rabbi for 15 min. The man agreed. The next day before dinner the rich man goes to Rav Elimelech, and Rav Elimelech tells the man all the averot (sins) that he committed and on which days, and the rich man begins crying, then Rav Elimelech says now you can eat. But the rich man said he lost he appetite and doesn’t want to eat, but Rav Elimelech reminds him of the promise, and the rich man forces himself to eat. The next day the rich man comes back before dinner and the same story repeats itself. When we eat the last meal, we have to eat it with the feeling that the rich man had. We shouldn’t say lachaim and drink and be merry, but rather eat with a humble heart, knowing we are coming before Hashem and all our sins are in front of us.


I) It is a mitzva to celebrate this day with lights, and candles. It is customary to wear white clothing. You should not wear jewelry because it’s a day of judgment., and not to remind Hashem of the sin of the golden calf, which every generation pays for.

J) It is a custom for parents to bless their children before going to shul and to wish all the good things for the upcoming yr.

K) On the night of Yom Kippur you should go to shul for Kol Nidrei which is a prayer for forgiveness. When u say “Baruch Shem Malchoto Leola va’ed” u should say it in loud voice, because on this day (Yom Kippur) we are considered like angels.

L) After eating the last meal we light candles, and the blessing we say is :Baruch Atah Hashem Elokaynu Melech Haolam, Asher Kidushanu B'mitzvotav Vativanu, Li'hadlik Ner Shel Shabbat V’Yom Hakippurim

Laws for Yom Kippur Day:

Yom Kippur begins Friday night at 6:37pm and will end after Shabbat at 8:05pm.

A) On Yom Kippur it is forbidden to eat, drink, wash, anoint (makeup), wear shoes, and to have marital relations. You are not allowed to do any work or to carry, just like Shabbat.

B) Some say that you are not allowed to touch food unless we are feeding the children.

C) Washing is not allowed only for pleasure reasons. If u get dirty then you are allowed to wash. In the morning u can only wash your eyes and your hands up to your knuckles. A sick person is allowed to wash normally, and a bride within 30 days of the wedding can wash her face and hands.

D) You are not allowed to anoint meaning no smearing for any reason, even if the person has pimples.

E) Shoes that are made of leather should not be worn. Shoes with heels should not be worn. You should not sit on leather seats. A sick person or a woman that gave birth within 30 days are allowed to wear shoes.

F) Pregnant and nursing woman are suppose to fast the entire day. Unless the child is sick and needs the mothers milk. If a pregnant woman smells a craving food then you should push her away three times, pushing away by saying that it’s Yom Kippur, then if she still wants u give her a drop and if not satisfied she should eat only 20 grams, not more. Because if a pregnant woman desires a taste and its not given to her then she is putting herself and the child in danger.

G) If someone is weaken and looses his eyesight then you should give him food until he gains his eyesight back.

H) If a child is younger then nine and wants to fast he should not be allowed, but after nine they have to fast a little. They should be fed a little later then their regular meal time. Considering washing and the rest of the forbidden things they should keep it.

I) When bowing on the floor, you should have something there like grass or carpet, so that you are not bowing to the floor, because the floor used to be an idol.

J) The Shofar is blown after the Ne’ilah prayer. This year since it’s Shabbat, it wont be blown.

K) When Aravit is said after everything it should not be rushed. And you should be happy after Yom Kippur thinking that Hashem has favored us. When we eat we should be happy and rejoice. The days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot should be days of joy and happiness.

L) It is a mitzva to start building the sukah right after Yom Kippur is over.

Hope we all have an easy fast, and all be judged for a year of happiness, health, and fortune. May all of us be judged and written in the book of life.