Few Halachos for Selichos and Rosh HaShana

(Hakhel) 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 :

A.  One must recite Birkas HaTorah before reciting Selichos.

B.  It is better to recite less Selichos with Kavannah, than more without Kavannah–however one should always be careful to recite the 13 Midos together with the Tzibbur.

C.  We wash and take haircuts on Erev Rosh Hashanah to demonstrate our faith that Hashem will perform a miracle for us and find us innocent on Rosh Hashanah.  Even though one may take a haircut a day or two before Rosh Hashanah, it is still a greater Kavod Yom Tov to take it Erev Rosh Hashana itself.

D.  One need not recite Hataras Nedarim on Erev Rosh Hashanah in the morning–one may recite it the night before as well.

E.  Yehi Ratzon.  As a matter of fact, even if one does not have the different species–he can still recite the Yehi Ratzon because the ikar is the Tefillah and Bakashas Rachamim.  Note:  Rabbi Kleinman adds in his notes that since the Simanim are all for a Siman Tov, the Mishna Berurah emphasizes that all the more so should we be careful not to anger in these days–so that this too will be a Siman Tov for the coming year!

F.  There are different customs as to whether one recites the Yehi Ratzon with Hashem’s name (i.e., Hashem Elokeinu Vailokei Avoseinu) or not.  If one has made a Bracha on the food item, he should eat a little bit before reciting the Yehi Ratzon.

G.  It is the custom not to eat Egozim on Rosh Hashana. Egozim may include other types of nuts as well such as almonds and peanuts.  However, if a food is baked or cooked with any nut items, it is not an issue.  With respect to peanut butter, HaRav Kamenetsky, Shlita, distinguishes between creamy peanut butter (with no peanut pieces), which is permitted, and chunky peanut butter, which is not permitted. —

H.  One can and should daven for Inyanim Ruchaniyim–fulfillment of his spiritual needs on Rosh Hashana.

1. As the Mishna Berurah states:  “When reciting Avinu Malkeinu the words Ro’ah Gezar should be recited together.”

J.  When hearing the Tekios DeMe’umad, one should not be leaning on anything.