The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan.
If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then Yom Kippour Kattan is on Thursday, so as not to fast on Friday.
Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".
Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.
In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most communities say the Yom Kippour Kattan prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood.
Tomorrow - Thursday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Sunday and Monday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny Wednesday, 26 Av 5768
Please daven for TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה
Is Yom Kippur Kattan before every Rosh Chodesh or only before Rosh Chodesh Elul?
ReplyDeleteYom Kippur Kattan is before every Rosh Chodesh - but only if one can fast.
ReplyDeleteSo Rosh Chodesh Iyar doesn't have Yom Kippur Kattan because we can't fast during Nisan.
Tishrei because we're anyways in the Selichot days.
Tevet because we can't fast during Chanuka.
There may be more exceptions - but I can't think of them now.
- Danny