Fasting
One who is ill (even if not dangerously so), pregnant, or nursing is exempt from fasting this fast.
You may wake up early to eat or drink before alos hashachar, provided that you stipulated (at least in thought) before going to sleep that you will do so. (Wash negel vasser first, even if you will be going back to sleep. If you will remain awake, also say birchos hashachar). If you usually drink upon awakening, you do not need to stipulate for drinking.
Shacharis and Selichos
The chazzan should only recite Aneinu as a separate berachah if three of the congregants are fasting, and another seven have eaten less than the shiur. Otherwise, he should recite it during Shema Koleinu.
Selichos are recited standing, especially the sections of Ashamnu, Shema Koleinu, Avinu Malkeinu, and the Yud-Gimmel Middos Harachamim.
The following is the correct order of the Selichos according to the pages of the older editions of Tehillas Hashem:
- 359 קוה קוינו - כתאות נפש (ע’
- 345 כרחם אב על בנים - ועל עמך (ע’
- 344 אלוקינו ואלוקי אבותינו, אדם בקום - יעמוד ליהודים 359-360
- 344 א-ל מלך יושב על כסא רחמים - לכל קוראיך 360 כי עמך מקור חיים - כאשר דברת לאמר (ע’
- 345 כרחם אב על בנים - ועל עמך (ע’ אלוקינו ואלוקי אבותינו, אתה הא-ל - על כסא רחמים (ע’ 360-361
- 344 א-ל מלך יושב על כסא רחמים - לכל קוראיך (ע’ 361-362
- במתי מספר 344 א-ל מלך יושב על כסא רחמים - לכל קוראיך (ע’ 347-349
- אתה תענה ה’ אלקינו
- זכור רחמיך 350-351
- משיח צדקך - השתא בעגלא ובזמן קריב
Krias Hatorah
Vayechal is only read if a minimum of three congregants are fasting.
One who is not fasting should not be called up to the Torah. However, if you were called up and don’t want to publicize that you aren’t fasting, you may accept the aliyah.
Aneinu
If you forgot to say Aneinu (and you already said Hashem’s name at the end of the berachah), say Aneinu at the end of Elokai Netzor, before the second Yihiyu leratzon, omitting the ending (Boruch atah Hashem ha’oneh etc.).
Ve’al Hanissim
Do not skip Ve’al Hanissim to be able to answer Kedushah or Modim.
The following laws apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim when davening: If you remembered before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the berachah, go back and say Ve’al Hanissim.
If you remembered after saying Hashem’s name, do not go back.
The following laws apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim when bentching: If you remembered before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the berachah, go back and say Ve’al Hanissim.
If you remembered after saying Hashem’s name, when reaching Harachaman hu yizakeinu, add: הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו נסים כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה, בימי מרדכי וכו’, and then continue with arachaman.
If you remembered after finishing bentching, do not go back.
The Megillah Reading
Women are obligated to hear the megillah as well, both at night and by day. If they are unable to come to shul, arrangements should be made for the megillah to be read for them at home.
Children who are old enough to listen quietly should also be brought to shul to hear the megillah. If bringing young children to shul, make sure they sit quietly and only make noise at the appropriate times.
When reading the megillah, open the megillah before saying the berachos.
If you have already heard the megillah and are reading it for others, one of the listeners should (stand and) recite the berachos. If this is not possible, say the berachos on their behalf. (This applies when reading for women as well.)
Do not speak until you have finished reading the megillah. If you spoke between the berachos and the kriah, the berachos must be repeated.
Have in mind to be motzi the listeners.
Be careful to read each word accurately, as a change in pronunciation may prevent the listeners from being yotzei.
When reaching the possuk Balaylah hahu (6:1), raise your voice.
In 8:11, read laharog ule’abed and then velaharog ule’abed.
In 9:2, read ve’ish lo amad bifneihem and then ve’ish lo amad lifneihem.
If less than ten men are present, do not say the berachah of Harov es riveinu. However, you may recite it without shem u’malchus.
If there is not enough time to finish reading the megillah before shekiah, you may still read it without the berachos until tzeis hakochavim.
Mishloach Manos and Matanos La’evyonim
Some Poskim are of the opinion that mishloach manos must be sent via a shliach.
