Sunday, September 11, 2016

Customs for Erev Rosh Hashanah

Customs for Erev Rosh Hashanah
Day: Sunday
Date: September 11, 2016
Parshat: Ki Teitzei
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 581


Some people have a custom to go to the cemetery on Erev Rosh Hashanah and pray at the graves of tzadikim. One who does this must ensure that he does not pray to, or make requests of, the deceased. Rather, he should pray to HaShem to have mercy on him in the merit of the tzadik buried there. Obviously Kohanim are forbidden from going to the cemetery to pray. The accepted custom is to get a haircut on Erev Rosh Hashanah and to wear nice fresh clothing on Rosh Hashanah itself. The reason for this is to show that we are confident that HaShem, in his infinite kindness, will grant us a favorable judgement. Our custom is for men to go to the mikvah before Rosh Hashana. A man who is unable to go may pour 9 kav (about 3 1/4 gallons) of water over himself instead. A three minute shower would suffice.


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