Aseret Y'mei HaTeshuva -- The Ten Days of Repentence

Buy "Ten Days" on an mp3 CD! (All 40 classes for just $20.00+S&H!)
Rav Dovid gives a daily halacha at the Wall Street Synagogue in Lower Manhattan.
This series covers the ten days from Rosh HaShanah until Yom Kippur.

3 Sivan 5768

listen

Havdala following Yom Tov (15:13)

We make havdala following Yom Tov, but we don't include the candle or spices. Why?

Sources: OC 491:1; MB 491:1-2; OC 298:1; MB 298:1

3 Iyar 5768

listen

Kiddush Lavana and Fast Days (17:18)

Kiddush Lavana is ideally said on Motzei Shabbos or Motzei Yom Tov. What about after a fast day? This shiur discusses Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av, Asara B'Tevet, Ta'anit Ester, and other Taaniot.

Sources: OC 426:2; MB 426:7-11; Beur Halacha d.h. "v'Lo kodem Yom HaKippurim"

2 Adar II 5768

listen

Leap Year (Part 2) (9:36)

The halachic implications of the added month in a leap year: Bar Mitzvah, bechor, rentals, mourning, korbanot, and more.

Sources: OC 55:9; Erchin 31b; Bava Me. 102a; YD 391:2; Shach YD 57:43

28 Adar I 5768

listen

Leap Year (Part 1) (15:12)

During a leap year, just how long is a "year," and what are the halachic implications of the added month?

Sources: Bava Me. 102a; Lev. 25:30; Deu. 15:20; Erchin 31b; Tosefta Parah 1; Ned. 63a; Shach YD 227:15

13 Tishrei 5768

listen

Between Yom Kippur and Sukkos (11:51)

After Yom Kippur, we rush to do several mitzvot, among them building the sukkah. We also leave out tachunun as the days until Sukkos have a quasi Yom Tov status. What is the connection between these themes?

Sources: OC 624:5; MB 624:18-19; OC 625:1; MB 625:2; I Kings 7-8

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Moshe ben Ester Ruchel.

7 Tishrei 5768

listen

Shortening or Skipping Prayers on Erev Yom Kippur (7:57)

We eliminate several prayers on Erev Yom Kippur, including LaMinatzeach, Mizmor L'Todah, and Tachnun -- though each is eliminated for a different reason. Slichot are shortened and Avinu Malkeinu is skipped.

Sources: OC 604:2; MB 604:3-5

6 Tishrei 5768

listen

Eating on Erev Yom Kippur (15:39)

Most of us eat on the day before Yom Kippur to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fast. But it is actually a mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. Why is that?

Sources: OC 604:1; MB 604:1-2

5 Tishrei 5768

listen

Changes in Our Tefillot During the 10 Days (10:05)

An overview and summary of the changes to the Amidah and Kaddish during the Ten Days, including the halachot of what to do if a change is forgotten or omitted.

29 Elul 5767

listen

Introduction to Eruv Tavshilin (18:43)

What is an Eruv Tavshilin? When, why, and how do we make an Eruv Tavshilin? Isn't this just a "legal loophole" -- if cooking is forbidden, how does the Eruv help, and if it is permitted, what is the point of the Eruv?

Sources: Ex. 12:16; Pes. 46b

28 Elul 5767

listen

Making the Yomim Noraim Relevant (51:47)

Join Rav Dovid for a corporate "Lunch and Learn" discussion on relating to the High Holidays in our modern times. What makes the Yomim Noraim relevant for us today? Is this just a bunch of "New Year's Resolutions" that, like all other such resolutions, will be forgotten within days of Yom Kippur? How should we relate to Rosh HaShanah, and why do these Holidays occur back-to-back on the calendar?

28 Elul 5767

listen

Doing Teshuva During the Ten Days (8:03)

It may be surprising to learn, but we should be much more concerned about that which we don't know or aren't sure we did wrong than we should be concerned over the things we know we need to improve.

Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:3-4

27 Elul 5767

listen

Reciting Psalm 130 During the Ten Days (2:22)

Among the changes in our prayers during the Ten Days is the insertion of Psalm 130 -- Mima'amakim Kraticha Hashem -- to instill in us a sense of awe and an inspiration to teshuva. But how can we insert a Psalm between yishtabach and chetzi kaddish -- where interruptions are forbidden?

Sources: Baer Heitev 603:1; Ps. 130

24 Elul 5767

listen

Pas Yisrael During Aseret Yomei Teshuva (15:36)

Also: The Rama encourages us to do teshuva and recommends that we read the Iggeret HaTeshuva of Rabbeinu Yonah each day.

Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:1-2

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Yeshua Yaakov ben Froma.

23 Elul 5767

listen

Customs for Erev Rosh HaShanah (7:28)

Haircuts, clean clothes, mikveh, trips to the cemetery, and tzedakah.

Sources: OC 581:4; MB 581:25-27

23 Elul 5767

listen

Yet Another Reason for Selichot (2:29)

The Ba'al HaTurim brings down remez and sod to tell us why we recite selichot prior to Rosh HaShanah.

Sources: Deu. 30:6; Ba'al HaTurim ad.loc.; Ps. 27:13

22 Elul 5767

listen

Selichot without a Minyan; Preparing the Rosh HaShanah Prayers (13:48)

Selichot should be recited even without a minyan, though the 13 attributes are omitted. All of the Rosh HaShanah prayers -- including selichot -- should be prepared in advance so that they can be recited comfortably in shul. The goal is to focus on davening, not on trying to read the tefilla.

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:4; OC 100:1; MB 100:3

21 Elul 5767

listen

The Ten Days of Selichot (12:58)

Why do selichot always start on Saturday night? Why are selichot said so early in the morning, and without tallis and tefillin? Why does the chazan where a tallis?

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:5-7

29 Av 5767

listen

Yom Kippur Katan (9:56)

Some people fast every Erev Rosh Chodesh for Yom Kippur Katan. What's it all about?

Sources: OC 417:1; MB 417:4

26 Av 5767

listen

Elul, the Season of Teshuva, and L'David Ori (14:07)

Why do we recite L'David Ori during the entire month of Elul? And why is the season of teshuva so long?

Sources: Siddur HaGra

25 Av 5767

listen

Rosh Chodesh Elul (11:08)

Customs of Elul: selichot, shofar, and Hashem Ori.

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:1-3

8 Tishrei 5767

listen

Doing Teshuva When You're Not Sure if You Need To (3:50)

What about things we've done that we aren't sure if they are aveiros? What if you aren't sure if you did an aveira or not?

Sources: OC 603:1

6 Tishrei 5767

listen

Pas Yisroel and Other Stringencies During the Ten Days (2:30)

All Jews are strict about pas yisroel during the ten days, even those of us who normally eat pas palter. Why the extra stringency? Just who are we fooling? We certainly aren't fooling G-d, and we aren't even fooling ourselves. So why do it?

Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:1

5 Tishrei 5767

listen

Davening Alone During the Ten Days (4:38)

Can Avinu Malkeinu be said without a minyan? What about selichot? Vidui?

Sources: OC 602:1; Baer Heitev 602:1; OC 581:1; MB 581:4

4 Tishrei 5767

listen

Selichot, Vidui, and Avinu Malkeinu (2:51)

Special penetential prayers are added during the Aseret Y'mei Teshuva.

Sources: OC 602:1; MB 602:2,6

3 Tishrei 5767

listen

Mistakes in Changes to the Amidah (3:27)

There are six changes to the Amidah during the Aseret Y'mei Teshuva. For five of them, one need not repeat the Amidah if a mistake is made.

28 Elul 5766

listen

Erev Rosh HaShanah (2:44)

On the day before Rosh HaShanah, we do not say tachanun nor blow shofar.

Sources: OC 581:3; MB 581:24

27 Elul 5766

listen

Shofar: Confusing the Soton (4:49)

Why all the different and repeated shofar blasts? It confuses the Soton.

Sources: Rosh HaShanah 16a

26 Elul 5766

listen

Passing Before Hashem for Review and Judgement (5:27)

On Rosh HaShanah, all people pass before Hashem for His review and judgement.

Sources: Rosh HaShanah 16a; Rosh HaShanah 18a

25 Elul 5766

listen

Hashem Taught Moshe the Selichos (2:27)

The selichos are a sublime petition for forgiveness. Their origin? From the Heavens themselves.

Sources: Rosh HaShanah 17b

22 Elul 5766

listen

Identifying a Good Chazan (12:13)

Both the chazan and ba'al tokea (shofar blower) must be Torah observant, married, and over age 30.

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:2,5,11-13

14 Elul 5766

listen

Teshuva, Olam HaBa, and Tefillin (7:36)

What is the impact of Teshuva on a Jew's portion of Olam HaBa?

Sources: MT Teshuva 3:5

13 Elul 5766

listen

The Shofar's Call to Teshuva (13:37)

The Rambam's famous understanding of the call of the shofar -- "Awake, sleepers, from your slumber!"

Sources: MT Teshuva 3:4-5

In memory of Chaya Sarah bas Micha'el HaLevi on the occasion of her yahrzeit.

12 Elul 5766

listen

The Book of Life (11:42)

The books are open: the Book of Life for the righteous and the Book of Death for the wicked; the rest of us hang in the balance.

Sources: MT Teshuva 3:3-4; Rosh HaShanah 16b

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Mori v'Rabi, HaRav Shlomo Yitzchak ben Elka, shlit"a.

8 Elul 5766

listen

Half Guilty, Half Innocent (10:54)

We should always see ourselves as half guilty, half innocent -- one more aveira and our sentence will be sealed.

Sources: MT Teshuva 3:1-2

Dedicated by Ronald and Marion Stein l'ilui nishmat Hinde bas Hersh on the occasion of her yahrzeit.

30 Av 5766

listen

Elul - The Season of Teshuva (9:16)

What makes Elul such an auspicious time for reconciling ourselves with Hashem?

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581 - Introduction

Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.

1 Elul 5766

listen

The Sounds of the Shofar (7:17)

We begin blowing the shofar daily from Rosh Chodesh Elul. Why all the different sounds?

Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:3; MT Shofar 1:1

29 Av 5766

listen

The Four Levels of Transgression (12:47)

The four levels of transgression and the requirements of kaporah for each.

Sources: MT Teshuva 1:4

28 Av 5766

listen

Teshuva and Yom Kippur (12:43)

Teshuva and the se'ir hamishtaleach of Yom Kippur.

Sources: MT Teshuva 1:2-3

13 Tevet 5766

listen

Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs (8:54)

Rav Dovid tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs, rabbinic leaders killed by the Romans during the Hadrianic persecution. This emotional story lays the ground for deep theological concepts concerning Torah, martyrdom, and justice.

1 Elul 5755

listen

Shofar (0:27)

Hear the call of the Shofar

Like what you read? Contact Rav Dovid to bring him to your community for a lecture, class, or shabbaton.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Rabbi Dovid Bendory. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reference this material provided that proper citation is included. It is also permitted to copy or archive small selections of this material for reasonable personal use. With the exception of such personal use, this material may not be copied, archived or distributed in any form without the explicit written permission of the author. Violation of this copyright is g'neivat da'at and is punishable both in Olam HaZeh and Olam HaBa.

Privacy policy: We do not collect any personal or private information about you. Bli neder, neither Rav Dovid nor this web site will ever give, sell, distribute, or divulge private information about you to anyone unless required to do so by halacha or law (dina d'malchuta dina). We are committed to observing Shmiras HaLashon. We do collect usage information such as pages visited, the IP addresses of visitors, and browsers used to reference this site. Such information is only used in statistical aggregates.

Site design and funding provided by Pidyon, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to redeeming the spiritual captives of our time. If you have benefited from this material, please support Pidyon.

Subscribe to...
this series:	XML	PodCast url: http://rabbi.bendory.com/cgi-bin/casts.cgi?name=tendays
the daily halacha:	XML	PodCast url: http://rabbi.bendory.com/cgi-bin/casts.cgi?name=halacha
all lectures and classes	XML	PodCast url: http://rabbi.bendory.com/cgi-bin/casts.cgi?name=lectures
More PodCasts...

Aseret Y'mei HaTeshuva -- The Ten Days of Repentence Buy "Ten Days" on an mp3 CD! (All 40 classes for just $20.00+S&H!) Rav Dovid gives a daily halacha at the Wall Street Synagogue in Lower Manhattan. This series covers the ten days from Rosh HaShanah until Yom Kippur.
3 Sivan 5768	listen	Havdala following Yom Tov (15:13) We make havdala following Yom Tov, but we don't include the candle or spices. Why? Sources: OC 491:1; MB 491:1-2; OC 298:1; MB 298:1
3 Iyar 5768	listen	Kiddush Lavana and Fast Days (17:18) Kiddush Lavana is ideally said on Motzei Shabbos or Motzei Yom Tov. What about after a fast day? This shiur discusses Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av, Asara B'Tevet, Ta'anit Ester, and other Taaniot. Sources: OC 426:2; MB 426:7-11; Beur Halacha d.h. "v'Lo kodem Yom HaKippurim"
2 Adar II 5768	listen	Leap Year (Part 2) (9:36) The halachic implications of the added month in a leap year: Bar Mitzvah, bechor, rentals, mourning, korbanot, and more. Sources: OC 55:9; Erchin 31b; Bava Me. 102a; YD 391:2; Shach YD 57:43
28 Adar I 5768	listen	Leap Year (Part 1) (15:12) During a leap year, just how long is a "year," and what are the halachic implications of the added month? Sources: Bava Me. 102a; Lev. 25:30; Deu. 15:20; Erchin 31b; Tosefta Parah 1; Ned. 63a; Shach YD 227:15
13 Tishrei 5768	listen	Between Yom Kippur and Sukkos (11:51) After Yom Kippur, we rush to do several mitzvot, among them building the sukkah. We also leave out tachunun as the days until Sukkos have a quasi Yom Tov status. What is the connection between these themes? Sources: OC 624:5; MB 624:18-19; OC 625:1; MB 625:2; I Kings 7-8 Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Moshe ben Ester Ruchel.
7 Tishrei 5768	listen	Shortening or Skipping Prayers on Erev Yom Kippur (7:57) We eliminate several prayers on Erev Yom Kippur, including LaMinatzeach, Mizmor L'Todah, and Tachnun -- though each is eliminated for a different reason. Slichot are shortened and Avinu Malkeinu is skipped. Sources: OC 604:2; MB 604:3-5
6 Tishrei 5768	listen	Eating on Erev Yom Kippur (15:39) Most of us eat on the day before Yom Kippur to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fast. But it is actually a mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. Why is that? Sources: OC 604:1; MB 604:1-2
5 Tishrei 5768	listen	Changes in Our Tefillot During the 10 Days (10:05) An overview and summary of the changes to the Amidah and Kaddish during the Ten Days, including the halachot of what to do if a change is forgotten or omitted.
29 Elul 5767	listen	Introduction to Eruv Tavshilin (18:43) What is an Eruv Tavshilin? When, why, and how do we make an Eruv Tavshilin? Isn't this just a "legal loophole" -- if cooking is forbidden, how does the Eruv help, and if it is permitted, what is the point of the Eruv? Sources: Ex. 12:16; Pes. 46b
28 Elul 5767	listen	Making the Yomim Noraim Relevant (51:47) Join Rav Dovid for a corporate "Lunch and Learn" discussion on relating to the High Holidays in our modern times. What makes the Yomim Noraim relevant for us today? Is this just a bunch of "New Year's Resolutions" that, like all other such resolutions, will be forgotten within days of Yom Kippur? How should we relate to Rosh HaShanah, and why do these Holidays occur back-to-back on the calendar?
28 Elul 5767	listen	Doing Teshuva During the Ten Days (8:03) It may be surprising to learn, but we should be much more concerned about that which we don't know or aren't sure we did wrong than we should be concerned over the things we know we need to improve. Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:3-4
27 Elul 5767	listen	Reciting Psalm 130 During the Ten Days (2:22) Among the changes in our prayers during the Ten Days is the insertion of Psalm 130 -- Mima'amakim Kraticha Hashem -- to instill in us a sense of awe and an inspiration to teshuva. But how can we insert a Psalm between yishtabach and chetzi kaddish -- where interruptions are forbidden? Sources: Baer Heitev 603:1; Ps. 130
24 Elul 5767	listen	Pas Yisrael During Aseret Yomei Teshuva (15:36) Also: The Rama encourages us to do teshuva and recommends that we read the Iggeret HaTeshuva of Rabbeinu Yonah each day. Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:1-2 Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Yeshua Yaakov ben Froma.
23 Elul 5767	listen	Customs for Erev Rosh HaShanah (7:28) Haircuts, clean clothes, mikveh, trips to the cemetery, and tzedakah. Sources: OC 581:4; MB 581:25-27
23 Elul 5767	listen	Yet Another Reason for Selichot (2:29) The Ba'al HaTurim brings down remez and sod to tell us why we recite selichot prior to Rosh HaShanah. Sources: Deu. 30:6; Ba'al HaTurim ad.loc.; Ps. 27:13
22 Elul 5767	listen	Selichot without a Minyan; Preparing the Rosh HaShanah Prayers (13:48) Selichot should be recited even without a minyan, though the 13 attributes are omitted. All of the Rosh HaShanah prayers -- including selichot -- should be prepared in advance so that they can be recited comfortably in shul. The goal is to focus on davening, not on trying to read the tefilla. Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:4; OC 100:1; MB 100:3
21 Elul 5767	listen	The Ten Days of Selichot (12:58) Why do selichot always start on Saturday night? Why are selichot said so early in the morning, and without tallis and tefillin? Why does the chazan where a tallis? Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:5-7
29 Av 5767	listen	Yom Kippur Katan (9:56) Some people fast every Erev Rosh Chodesh for Yom Kippur Katan. What's it all about? Sources: OC 417:1; MB 417:4
26 Av 5767	listen	Elul, the Season of Teshuva, and L'David Ori (14:07) Why do we recite L'David Ori during the entire month of Elul? And why is the season of teshuva so long? Sources: Siddur HaGra
25 Av 5767	listen	Rosh Chodesh Elul (11:08) Customs of Elul: selichot, shofar, and Hashem Ori. Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:1-3
8 Tishrei 5767	listen	Doing Teshuva When You're Not Sure if You Need To (3:50) What about things we've done that we aren't sure if they are aveiros? What if you aren't sure if you did an aveira or not? Sources: OC 603:1
6 Tishrei 5767	listen	Pas Yisroel and Other Stringencies During the Ten Days (2:30) All Jews are strict about pas yisroel during the ten days, even those of us who normally eat pas palter. Why the extra stringency? Just who are we fooling? We certainly aren't fooling G-d, and we aren't even fooling ourselves. So why do it? Sources: OC 603:1; MB 603:1
5 Tishrei 5767	listen	Davening Alone During the Ten Days (4:38) Can Avinu Malkeinu be said without a minyan? What about selichot? Vidui? Sources: OC 602:1; Baer Heitev 602:1; OC 581:1; MB 581:4
4 Tishrei 5767	listen	Selichot, Vidui, and Avinu Malkeinu (2:51) Special penetential prayers are added during the Aseret Y'mei Teshuva. Sources: OC 602:1; MB 602:2,6
3 Tishrei 5767	listen	Mistakes in Changes to the Amidah (3:27) There are six changes to the Amidah during the Aseret Y'mei Teshuva. For five of them, one need not repeat the Amidah if a mistake is made.
28 Elul 5766	listen	Erev Rosh HaShanah (2:44) On the day before Rosh HaShanah, we do not say tachanun nor blow shofar. Sources: OC 581:3; MB 581:24
27 Elul 5766	listen	Shofar: Confusing the Soton (4:49) Why all the different and repeated shofar blasts? It confuses the Soton. Sources: Rosh HaShanah 16a
26 Elul 5766	listen	Passing Before Hashem for Review and Judgement (5:27) On Rosh HaShanah, all people pass before Hashem for His review and judgement. Sources: Rosh HaShanah 16a; Rosh HaShanah 18a
25 Elul 5766	listen	Hashem Taught Moshe the Selichos (2:27) The selichos are a sublime petition for forgiveness. Their origin? From the Heavens themselves. Sources: Rosh HaShanah 17b
22 Elul 5766	listen	Identifying a Good Chazan (12:13) Both the chazan and ba'al tokea (shofar blower) must be Torah observant, married, and over age 30. Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:2,5,11-13
14 Elul 5766	listen	Teshuva, Olam HaBa, and Tefillin (7:36) What is the impact of Teshuva on a Jew's portion of Olam HaBa? Sources: MT Teshuva 3:5
13 Elul 5766	listen	The Shofar's Call to Teshuva (13:37) The Rambam's famous understanding of the call of the shofar -- "Awake, sleepers, from your slumber!" Sources: MT Teshuva 3:4-5 In memory of Chaya Sarah bas Micha'el HaLevi on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
12 Elul 5766	listen	The Book of Life (11:42) The books are open: the Book of Life for the righteous and the Book of Death for the wicked; the rest of us hang in the balance. Sources: MT Teshuva 3:3-4; Rosh HaShanah 16b Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Mori v'Rabi, HaRav Shlomo Yitzchak ben Elka, shlit"a.
8 Elul 5766	listen	Half Guilty, Half Innocent (10:54) We should always see ourselves as half guilty, half innocent -- one more aveira and our sentence will be sealed. Sources: MT Teshuva 3:1-2 Dedicated by Ronald and Marion Stein l'ilui nishmat Hinde bas Hersh on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
30 Av 5766	listen	Elul - The Season of Teshuva (9:16) What makes Elul such an auspicious time for reconciling ourselves with Hashem? Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581 - Introduction Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.
1 Elul 5766	listen	The Sounds of the Shofar (7:17) We begin blowing the shofar daily from Rosh Chodesh Elul. Why all the different sounds? Sources: OC 581:1; MB 581:3; MT Shofar 1:1
29 Av 5766	listen	The Four Levels of Transgression (12:47) The four levels of transgression and the requirements of kaporah for each. Sources: MT Teshuva 1:4
28 Av 5766	listen	Teshuva and Yom Kippur (12:43) Teshuva and the se'ir hamishtaleach of Yom Kippur. Sources: MT Teshuva 1:2-3
13 Tevet 5766	listen	Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs (8:54) Rav Dovid tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs, rabbinic leaders killed by the Romans during the Hadrianic persecution. This emotional story lays the ground for deep theological concepts concerning Torah, martyrdom, and justice.
1 Elul 5755	listen	Shofar (0:27) Hear the call of the Shofar