By Rabbi Yair Hoffman WHAT WE SHOULD BE DAVENING FOR In a Sefer called “Yehge Chochma” we find a list of 7 things that Rav Yitzchok Feigelstock zt”l said that we should be davening for during the period of Elul and Yomim Noraim: We should be davening for our brethren living in Eretz Yisroel amidst all the dangers of terrorism. We should be davening for our brethren that are estranged from Torah. Through no fault of their own, they have never tasted the glorious taste of Torah and Mitzvos. We should be davening for all those who are suffering from illness in our times – young and old. We have to daven for the welfare of the yeshivah movement – the Yeshivos and other institutions of Torah. They are the foundation stone for the success of the nation. We should daven for the well-being of the Gedolei Yisroel – that they should continue to have strength to lead. We should also daven for the creation of future and worthy Gedolei Yisroel. If we have a friend that we know needs something – whether it is of a physical or spiritual nature – we should be davening for that for him. And when we do make these requests – we must do so without demands, with no expectations – like a poor person at a doorstep requesting alms. THE SHLIACH TZIBBUR The Shliach Tzibbur that is chosen both for Selichos as well as the Yomim Noraim should have the following six qualities.  The qualities are in the following order of preference: A] Talmid Chochom B] yarei Shomayim C] thirty years old or more D] Married with children E] Sweet Voice F] Merutzah laKahal — desired by and acceptable to the congregation. The Baal Tefillah for Slichos should also, ideally, be the Shliach Tzibbur for Shacharis and Mincha.  This is to fulfill the principle found in the Jerusalem Talmud (Psachim 10:5) of “HaMaschil B’Mitzvah omrim lo g’mor.” EREV ROSH HASHANA We recite more Slichos on this day than on other days because this day is even more favorable for Hashem forgiving our sins.  Many people fast on Erev Rosh HaShana.  Some fast only until Mincha.  This fast does not need to be declared on the Mincha before it like other fasts. After Shacharis, it is important to recite the Hataras Nedarim on Erev Rosh HaShana so that we enter the new year without having the sins of unfulfilled vows.  This is done before three knowledgeable men.  Husbands should have their wife and daughters in mind when saying it and should say this aloud. We do not sound the Shofar on this day for two reasons:  1] To differentiate between the voluntary Shofar blastings of Elul and the mandatory ones for Rosh haShana. 2] We wish to confuse the Satan by not letting him know when Rosh HaShana occurs and thus will be unable to present his charges against us.  It is therefore very important that he not get hold of this pamphlet. Other things that we do in order to confuse the Satan is not to bentch Rosh Chodesh Tishrei, not to say the words “uvroshei Chodhsaichem takrivu” in the Mussaf of Rosh HaShana, and we do not end the cycle of the reading of the Torah on Rosh haShana either. Many have the custom to visit Tzaddikim at the cemetery on Erev Rosh […]