Question: When do we start reciting S’lichos and why?
Short Answer: Sefardim begin reciting S’lichos from the beginning of Elul, while Ashkenazim start at least four days before Rosh HaShanah. Multiple reasons are provided for this machlokes.
Explanation:
I. The Sephardic Opinion
The Ritz Gei’us (Hilchos T’shuvah, p. 58), from the Geonic Period, cites numerous Geonim who recited S’lichos only during the Aseres Y’mei Teshuvah (“AYT”). The Ritz Gei’us himself, however, adopts the minhag of certain Persian cities who recite S’lichos starting from the beginning of Elul. This is the day that Moshe went up to Har Sinai a third time. The Ritz Gei’us adds that this minhag makes sense, as the “more that we ask for mercy and recite supplications, the more merits we accrue.” See Ohr Yisrael Journal (Vol. 61, p. 269, Rav Nachum Greenwald).
This opinion of the Ritz Gei’us is cited in the Rosh (Rosh HaShanah 4:14) and the Tur (Orach Chayim 581).
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 581:1) codifies this opinion, holding that S’lichos are recited starting from Rosh Chodesh Elul. The B’eir HaGolah notes that this is the minhag of Sefardim. The Mishnah B’rurah explains that, in addition to the source from Moshe on Har Sinai, we start from Elul because of the pasuk “Ani l’dodi...,” as the first letters spell Elul. This is an “eis ratzon” and our t’shuvah will be accepted with love.
II. The Ashkenazic Opinion
The Rama (ibid) comments that Ashkenazim do not have the custom to start reciting S’lichos from Rosh Chodesh Elul, but rather begin from the Sunday before Rosh HaShanah. When Rosh HaShanah starts on Monday, we start reciting S’lichos the previous Sunday. The Mishnah B’rurah (6) cites various reasons why we need at least four days of S’lichos, including (i) to make up for the four days of AYT when we cannot fast and (ii) in order to perform “bikur mum” on ourselves before we “sacrifice ourselves” on Rosh HaShanah.
The Mishnah B’rurah, however, does not explain why the Rama does not adopt the minhag of the Ritz Gei’us, to start from Rosh Chodesh Elul. Presumably, the “eis ratzon” exists for Jews of all persuasions; so why do Ashkenazim not start reciting S’lichos from Rosh Chodesh Elul? Moreover, why do the Sefardim not focus on the four days before Rosh HaShanah?
III. One Explanation
Rav Nachum Greenwald (Ohr Yisrael Journal, ibid) suggests that perhaps the different S’lichos start times for Sefardim and Ashkenazim is based on how they view AYT. There is an opinion of the Geonim that the entire AYT should be spent fasting and beseeching Hashem for mercy. On the other hand, other Geonim, including the Ritz Gei’us, vehemently opposed this concept; it is called the Ten Days of Repentance, not of Fasting. One may not fast during these days.
Rav Greenwald explains that Sefardim follow the view that AYT are days of repentance, not fasting. Thus, there is no basis to start S’lichos four days before Rosh HaShanah to make up the missed fasting days. They thus start beseeching Hashem for mercy a month before Rosh HaShanah. Ashkenazim disagree; since the entire point of the AYT is to fast, they begin S’lichos four days before Rosh HaShanah to make up the missed days of fasting (Shabbos/Yom Tov).
Rav Greenwald continues that the language of the S’lichos themselves merge both ideas. On one hand, the beginning of S’lichos is replete with the recitation of the 13 Midos. This highlights minhag Ashkenaz, of a focus on t’shuvah. On the other hand, S’lichos ends with reciting Aneinu, which is the paradigmatic language of a fast-day prayer. See Taanis (15a). In other words, the Ashkenazim hold that the main aspect of S’lichos is the Aneinu, while Sefardim hold that the main part is the 13 Midos.
IV. A Step Further
The Ratz KaTzvi (B’Maagalei HaShanah 1:1) takes this machlokes a step further. He suggests that the Sefardim, who view the bakashas rachamim (request for mercy) as the focus of S’lichos, understand that S’lichos is a mitzvah on the tzibur as a whole. Ashkenazim, who view the fasting as the focus of S’lichos, understand that S’lichos is a mitzvah on the individual.
The Ratz KaTzvi then explains that this is why Ashkenazi women sometimes attend S’lichos but not Sefardi women. Since Ashkenazim view S’lichos as a mitzvah on the individual, this applies to women, as well. Sefardim, who view S’lichos as a mitzvah on the tzibur, have no reason to include women, who cannot themselves create a tzibur.
V. Another Take
The Nit’ei Gavriel (Rosh HaShanah, p. 13) cites the Pupa Rebbe who explains the Rama a bit differently. Really, S’lichos should start at the beginning of Elul according to all opinions and minhagim. Ashkenazim only start S’lichos a few days before Rosh HaShanah so that their recitation does not become stale.
But what about the Sefardim? This author suggests that perhaps Sefardim hold that the very recitation of S’lichos serves as a z’chus, even if said by rote. Perhaps this fits well with a separate machlokes cited by the Nit’ei Gavriel (p. 12) whether S’lichos is meant to give us an opportunity for bakashas rachamim before being judged (Shaarei T’shuvah) or whether S’lichos is meant as a purification before approaching a king (Meiri). The latter view presumably would not care whether S’lichos are recited by rote – their very recitation cleanses.
VI. Ashkenazi Who Wants to Be Sefardi
May an Ashkenazi recite S’lichos from the beginning of Elul if he wants? The sefer Yalkut Avreich (5755, p. 301) answers that the Ashkenazi may recite it, as it is simply a mechanism to arouse t’shuvah.
This author suggests that, according to the Pupa Rebbe, the Ashkenazi should not recite S’lichos from the beginning of Elul, as he will lose kavanah as the month goes on. Even the reasons given by the Mishnah B’rurah, as explained further by Rav Greenwald, imply that the Rama holds that it should not be recited from the beginning of Elul.
Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. is the Associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, and he is a Partner at McGrail & Bensinger LLP, specializing in commercial litigation. Questions? Comments? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
