B"H

Friday, Tishrei 7, 5781 / September 25, 2020

This Shabbat, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Teshuva, because it is one of the Ten Days of Repentence (Teshuva). The Parsha we read from the Torah is Parshat Ha’azinu, which is one Parsha before the last.

Sunday is Erev Yom Kippur. It is customary that "plates" from various charities are placed in the synagogue Erev Yom Kippur into which contributions are placed. 

The reason is that in the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers we say, "repentance, prayer and charity nullify a bad decree."  Since it is forbidden to handle money on the day of Yom Kippur, we give extra charity on the day before Yom Kippur.  We pray that our mercy for others will invoke G-d's mercy toward us.

This year, as many will not be able to attend synagogue due to Covid, it is important to remember to give additional charity at home on Sunday, erev Yom Kippur.

Custom:  It is customary to ask forgiveness before Yom Kippur.

Reason:  Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, when G-d forgives our sins and shortcomings of the past year. Our sages tell us that only sins committed against G-d are forgiven on Yom Kippur.  Wrong doings committed against other people will be forgiven only after first receiving forgiveness from that person. For this reason it is customary to ask forgiveness before Yom Kippur. Forgiving others is a good recipe that, measure for measure, we will be granted G-d's forgiveness.

Custom:   On Yom Kippur we wear a white garment, called “Kittel.”

Reason:  White represents cleanliness.  In the Yom Kippur service we recite the words of the prophet in which G-d says, "If your sins are as red as the scarlet thread, they will become as white as snow."  Because we are forgiven for our sins, we wear the "Kittel" which represents purity and spiritual cleanliness

Custom:  During the afternoon meal, on the day before Yom Kippur, it is customary to eat pancakes filled with meat (called Kreplach).  

Reason:  As mentioned above, in the Yom Kippur service we quote from the prophet Isaiah (1:18), "If your sins are as red as the scarlet thread, they will become as white as snow."  We eat "Kreplach" which consists of red meat covered inwhite, which symbolizes forgiveness of our sins.

May you and your loved ones be sealed for a good, happy and healthy year, as we say in the Yom Kippur prayers, "Seal all the children of Your Covenant for a good life."

MontrealShabbat candle lighting time: Friday at: 6:27 / Shabbat ends: 7:27

MontrealYom Kippur candle lighting for Sunday: 6:23 / Yom Kippur ends Monday at: 7:23