Those planning on blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah (e.g., for mivtzo’im) should review the necessary halachos beforehand. (See below, “Hosafos,” for a selection of these halachos.)
Those who will be serving as chazzan on Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur should review the davening, and especially the piyutim, to ensure they will know at least their simple meaning.
It is customary for the chazzan to put on a tallis, but not make a berachah. The Rebbe once suggested that before beginning selichos, a topic in Torah should be studied and tzedakah should be given. The Rebbe suggested studying (at least the beginning and ending of) the maamar of Lecha Hashem hatzedakah, printed in the beginning of the selichos.
From today until Erev Rosh Hashanah, selichos are recited before Shacharis. Since it is already morning, the chazzan makes a berachah when donning the tallis before selichos.
When saying selichos without a minyan, omit the Yud-Gimmel Midos Harachamim (Hashem Hashem Kel rachum...).
Today is the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s maternal grandfather, Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky. The Rebbe would say Kaddish in his memory. The third day of selichos—today—is an auspicious date. The Rebbe suggested studying (at least part of) one of the maamarim said on the third day of selichos, participating in a shturemdike farbrengen, and giving extra tzedakah.
Today marks the anniversary of the creation of the world (according to Rebbi Eliezer—which halachah follows).
