Thursday, 22 Tishrei / Oct.24
Shacharit of Shabbat and Yom Tov should be followed by complete Hallel.
No Lulav
We do not shake the lulav on Shmini Atzeret (nor on Shabbat even during Sukkot).
- The Torah reading begins the with Aser Te’aser (“Tithe, you shall surely tithe”) since this is the season of separating the tithes.
Yizkor
After the Torah reading, Ashkenazim recite Yizkor (pg. 337 in the Siddur). The reason we recite Yizkor at the end of every Yom Tov is to elicit the merit of our holy ancestors on behalf of ourselves and our children. A similar occurrence would take place in the Bait HaMikdash (Holy Temple) on the three Regalim (pilgrimage festivals), Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The neshamot (souls) of the patriarchs are manifested in the spiritual Bait HaMikdash that is in Heaven. The Heavenly Bait HaMikdash would in turn be manifested within the physical Bait HaMikdash in Jerusalem. It was for this reason that on these festivals there was always enough room to bow down despite the vast numbers of people.
- It is customary for those not reciting Yizkor to leave the Shul while it is being recited. The reason for this is that if they were to remain inside, people might think (or say) that their parents passed away. This may cause an ayin hara (negative judgment) against them.
- One who is within the first year of the passing of his parent should remain in Shul for Yizkor but not recite the prayer in their memory. This is the Chabad custom.
Some say that they should leave the Shul during that year as well. The reason for this is that if they would remain in Shul and say the Yizkor prayer, they may wail and cry, thus disturbing the joy of their Yom Tov as well as the concentration of others. An additional reason is that during the first year after passing, the memory of one's loved one is so strong that one does not need to recite the prayer to remember them.
- It is beneficial for the souls of one's departed relatives that one commit to giving tzedakah in their merit. Nevertheless, one should not say that they are vowing to do so as one who does not fulfill a vow is committing a serious sin which can have negative results. Rather, one should say, ”bli neder” (without the strength of a vow) or simply ”she'etein l'tzdakah” (that I will give to tzedakah).
