The Significance of Yom Kippur Katan: Embracing Reflection Before the New Month

Yom Kippur Katan, which means "Little Yom Kippur," refers to the customary fast and the recitation of *selichot* (penitential prayers) that some have the custom to observe on every eve of Rosh Chodesh (the new month). When Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat, the observances for the eve of Rosh Chodesh are moved to Thursday. This custom is mentioned in the book *Menasheh Levi* by Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz and is also referenced in the teachings of *Kabbalah* by the Ramak. However, the practice is noted in the book *Leket Yosher*, and it was already known in Ashkenaz as early as the mid-15th century.

In the *Mishnah Berurah* (Siman Tiz, Section 4) it states: "And everything is according to the strength of a person... even one who does not fast, should still repent on this day and rectify what they have distorted throughout the month..."

The *siddur* (prayer book) of Rabbi Yaakov Emden mentions: "And in recent times, it has become customary to fast on the eve of Rosh Chodesh and it is called Yom Kippur Katan, and it is widely known and spread among the people. It is good to remind people who are distracted all day by impurities to cleanse themselves of their filth and keep their souls and bodies pure."

In the book *Divrei Yosef Tzvi*, it recounts that when the *Chafetz Chaim* arrived in Warsaw on the eve of Rosh Chodesh, he met a local Jew and asked where they prayed for Yom Kippur Katan. The Jew replied that they only observe the great Yom Kippur and do not pray for Yom Kippur Katan. The *Chafetz Chaim* told him a parable about a time he traveled by train, and another Jew sat beside him and was asked where he was going. When he said he was going to Radin, the *Chafetz Chaim* was puzzled when the Jew wanted to get off the train at the first station. He said he didn’t have enough money to go all the way to Radin, but he could work a bit to earn more money to continue his journey. The *Chafetz Chaim* explained that great people had enough funds to reach Yom Kippur in one go, but we, as small people, could not immediately reach Yom Kippur. Instead, we must make small stops every month through the prayer of Yom Kippur Katan, and eventually, we will reach Yom Kippur.

In the book *Ashkavtai D'Rabbi*, which includes eulogies and practices from the Steipler Rabbi, it mentions that a Jew who lost three brothers in their youth came to the Steipler asking for a blessing. The Steipler advised him to ensure he recited the prayer for Yom Kippur Katan on the eve of Rosh Chodesh, as it was well known in the yeshivas that the prayer of Yom Kippur Katan is helpful in annulment of decrees.

It is also noted that in the *Kaf HaChaim*, it is mentioned that the order of Yom Kippur Katan is for the masses, but "one who learns Torah as his profession and has an understanding heart in *Gemara* and the codifiers does not need to interrupt to say this order since, without it, studying Torah atones with repentance" (Siman Tiz, Oit 13).

Order of the *Selichot*

• Chapter 102 of *Tehillim* (Psalms).
• The *selichah* "This Day".
• Chapter 20 of *Tehillim*.
• "Hashivenu" 3 times, followed by "Kel Melech" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• The *selichah* "Masa'at Kapai", followed by "Kel Melech" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• The *selichah* "Basar Amcha", followed by "Kel Melech" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• Eight verses that mention the word "good".
• The *selichah* "Bat Ami Lo Tachsheh", followed by "Kel Melech" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• The *selichah* "Rachmana Idker Lan", followed by "Kel Melech" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• Part of the *piyut* recited in the Musaf service of Yom Kippur: "Do not treat us as a finality".
• The great confession of Rabbi Nissim.
• "Kel Erech Apayim" and the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
• Accepting the yoke of Heaven through the verses: "Hear O Israel", "Blessed be the Name of His glorious Kingdom" 3 times, "Hashem is the God" 7 times, and "Kel Melech".
• The *piyut* "Anenu".
• Chapter 8 of *Tehillim*.

Individuals praying at home do not recite the 13 Attributes of Mercy, but they can say the chapters of *Tehillim* and the *selichot*.

When there are ten fasting, a *Sefer Torah* is taken out and they read "Vayechal", and the person who goes up third uncovers, reading from the Prophets the portion "Darshu Hashem B'heimatz'o", like on other fasting days.

"Chassidim and men of action" still observe this order eight times a year, on each eve of Rosh Chodesh, aside from the days before Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Tevet, Iyar, and Tishrei, which can be remembered by the acronym of "D" (means "four"). Therefore, no observance of Yom Kippur Katan is held on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, nor on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tevet, which is Chanukah, nor on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, as fasting is prohibited in Nissan, nor on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tishrei, which is the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

In modern times, only select individuals fast the entirety on the eve of Rosh Chodesh, while some fast only until the midday, and others do not fast but recite the aforementioned *selichot*.

Rabbi Yitzhak Panger - Guidance and Good Leadership for Rosh Chodesh: