How Should Selichot Be Recited? 2 Halachot and a Powerful Lesson from the Ramchal

Two halachot a day from BeHalacha U’BeAggadah, based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

How Should Selichot Be Recited?

Selichot should be recited with concentration, slowly and calmly, and with a deep sense of humility. They should not be rushed through, as some people do, which is certainly not the proper way to recite them.

While reciting the confession and Selichot, a person should examine his actions and resolve to return to Hashem with complete repentance. As the Day of Judgment approaches, he should also undertake to increase his mitzvot and good deeds, since this is the time when each person’s merits and sins are weighed.

What Should We Be Careful About When Reciting Selichot?

Care should be taken to pronounce the letters and vowels of the Selichot correctly. For example, when saying “Hashem Melech, Hashem Malach,” the word Melech should be pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, while Malach should be pronounced with the stress on the second syllable.

Those who recite Selichot at midnight should say the phrase referring to being “in the midst of the night watches.” Those who recite Selichot during the day should omit this entire passage.

Daily Quote

“We thus learn that the primary purpose of man’s existence in this world is solely to fulfill the mitzvot, to serve God, and to withstand trials. The pleasures of this world should serve him only as aids and assistance, providing him with peace of mind and clarity so that he can devote his heart to the service that has been placed upon him.

“Indeed, all of his attention should be directed solely toward the Creator, blessed be He. He should have no other purpose in anything he does, whether great or small, other than to draw closer to Him and to break down all the barriers that separate him from his Creator. These barriers are the matters of physicality and all that depends upon them, until he is drawn after Him, blessed be He, as iron is drawn to a magnet.

“Whatever he believes can serve as a means of bringing him closer to God, he should pursue it, grasp it, and never let go. Whatever he believes will hinder this closeness, he should flee from it as one flees from fire. As it is written (Psalms 63:9), ‘My soul clings to You; Your right hand supports me.’ For his coming into this world is for this purpose alone: to attain this closeness by freeing his soul from everything that prevents or undermines it.”

- Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal), Mesillat Yesharim, Chapter 1

Understanding the Quote

Here, the Ramchal presents a clear picture of the purpose of a Jew’s life in this world. He establishes three fundamental principles.

The central purpose: A person is not in this world simply to pursue pleasure. His primary purpose is to serve Hashem, fulfill mitzvot, and withstand the challenges he encounters. This is the central focus of life.

The role of physical pleasures: This world is not inherently bad, but neither is it the ultimate goal. Physical pleasures, whether food, vacations, a renovated home, or a good car, are intended to serve as tools. They can provide the strength, comfort, and peace of mind a person needs in order to devote himself more fully to serving Hashem.

The “magnet test”: There is one essential question by which every action, large or small, can be measured: Does this bring me closer to the Creator, or does it distance me from Him?

A person should seek to be drawn toward Hashem as iron is drawn to a magnet, embracing whatever brings him closer and distancing himself from anything that creates a material barrier between himself and his Creator.

According to the Ramchal, this is ultimately why a person comes into the world: to attain closeness to God and devekut, attachment to Hashem, by overcoming whatever prevents him from reaching that spiritual goal.