Do we say Selichot standing or sitting?

Shalom,

1. Although women are not obligated to recite Selichot during the month of Elul (see Netaei Gavriel Rosh Hashanah, Chapter 10, Section 16), they are permitted to say Selichot, and they will be blessed with goodness.

One should be careful not to say Selichot during the first half of the night (see Chazon Ovadia Yamin Noraim, pages 2-3).

When reciting Selichot individually, one must be careful not to say the thirteen attributes of mercy in the verse 'Vaya'avor', unless they are recited with the cantillation marks (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, Section 485, Paragraph 5, and Mishnah Berurah, Section 12).

Additionally, you should skip all sections in Aramaic (Mishnah Berurah, Section 870, Paragraph 4).

According to the Ashkenazi custom outside of Jerusalem, Nefilat Apayim is not done in a place where there is no Sefer Torah.

2. It is good to stand while reciting Selichot. Some say to sit during "Zachor Rachamecha" and to stand for the recitation of "Shema Koleinu." Anyone who has difficulty standing during Selichot should at least stand during the recitation of "Kel Melech Yoshev" and the thirteen attributes, as well as during the confession sections (Mateh Efraim, Section 870, Paragraph 18). It is proper to sit while saying the passage "Mochi U'mesi" (see Netaei Gavriel there, Chapter 12, Paragraph 10).

According to the Sephardic custom, they stand for Selichot until "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh," and after Nefilat Apayim, they stand again for the last of the thirteen attributes, and from there they stand until the end.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs