Question: When should Jews recite Jewish Penitential Prayers Selichot?
Dear Rabbi,
I always thought Selichot was the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. In the local Reform Jewish Temple, Selichot is observed the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. But now an orthodox Jew is telling me that there has to be at least seven days between Selichot and Rosh Hashanah. When is Selichot?
Thank you, David
Answer: Dear David,
Slichot always begins on Saturday night.
If Rosh Hashana falls on Monday or Tuesday, then Slichot begins 10 days prior, on Saturday night.
If Rosh Hashana falls later in the week, then Slichot begins the Saturday night just prior to Rosh Hashana.
With blessings from Jerusalem,
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
