Motzei Yom Kippur
The Jewish Weekly | September 17, 2025
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Motzei Yom Kippur

The Jewish Weekly | December 10, 2025

One extends Yom Kippur at least several minutes. The time during which Maariv is davened suffices for this purpose. After that, all prohibitions of Yom Kippur cease. Even so, one may of course not eat until after Havdallah.

Vihi Noam and V’atah Kaddosh are not recited.

Everyone – even Kohanim who washed their hands before Birchat Kohanim – should wash Netilat Yadayim until the wrist and rinse their mouth. This should be done as soon as possible after Maariv, and certainly before Kiddush Levanah or breaking the fast.

Kiddush Levanah is recited if the moon is visible. Ideally, one first changes into leather shoes and rinses his face, unless this will negate his participation in a Minyan.

Most greet each other Pitka Teva however Chabad greet each other, Chag Sameach.

For Havdallah, Besamim is not used. One uses a candle that was burning from before Yom Kippur, together with another candle which he lights from the first. [If one does not have a pre-existing flame from before Yom Kippur, the Brachah is omitted.]

Although we usually don’t give out the leftover wine of the Havdallah, this may be done on Motzei Yom Kippur.

A man who heard Havdallah may recite it again for another man or for a boy over the age of Chinuch if they don’t know how to recite it themselves. However, a man should not recite it again for a woman. Therefore, one should not be yotze with the Havdallah at Shul when there are women at home waiting to hear Havdallah.

A woman who is feeling weak or not feeling well, may drink before her husband returns from shul to make Havdallah.

If the Lebbedige Licht was extinguished during Yom Kippur, one should relight it on Motzei Yom Kippur and let it burn until the end. One should also resolve to ensure that the Lebbedige Licht burns until the end in all subsequent years.

The table is set, candles are lit, and a full meal for Chag is eaten, beginning with round Challot (dipped in honey). [The 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe states that an expansive meal draws down Gashmiyut for the whole year.]

On Motzei Yom Kippur, we start building the Sukkah, or at least speak about the Sukkah.

One extends Yom Kippur at least several minutes. The time during which Maariv is davened suffices for this purpose. After that, all prohibitions of Yom Kippur cease. Even so, one may of course not eat until after Havdallah.

Vihi Noam and V’atah Kaddosh are not recited.

Everyone – even Kohanim who washed their hands before Birchat Kohanim – should wash Netilat Yadayim until the wrist and rinse their mouth. This should be done as soon as possible after Maariv, and certainly before Kiddush Levanah or breaking the fast.

Kiddush Levanah is recited if the moon is visible. Ideally, one first changes into leather shoes and rinses his face, unless this will negate his participation in a Minyan.

Most greet each other Pitka Teva however Chabad greet each other, Chag Sameach.

For Havdallah, Besamim is not used. One uses a candle that was burning from before Yom Kippur, together with another candle which he lights from the first. [If one does not have a pre-existing flame from before Yom Kippur, the Brachah is omitted.]

Although we usually don’t give out the leftover wine of the Havdallah, this may be done on Motzei Yom Kippur.

A man who heard Havdallah may recite it again for another man or for a boy over the age of Chinuch if they don’t know how to recite it themselves. However, a man should not recite it again for a woman. Therefore, one should not be yotze with the Havdallah at Shul when there are women at home waiting to hear Havdallah.

A woman who is feeling weak or not feeling well, may drink before her husband returns from shul to make Havdallah.

If the Lebbedige Licht was extinguished during Yom Kippur, one should relight it on Motzei Yom Kippur and let it burn until the end. One should also resolve to ensure that the Lebbedige Licht burns until the end in all subsequent years.

The table is set, candles are lit, and a full meal for Chag is eaten, beginning with round Challot (dipped in honey). [The 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe states that an expansive meal draws down Gashmiyut for the whole year.]

On Motzei Yom Kippur, we start building the Sukkah, or at least speak about the Sukkah.

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