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• A man should use a rooster and a woman a hen.
• It is best to use a separate chicken for each person.
• A pregnant woman should use two hens and one rooster, one hen for herself, and the other hen and rooster because of the possibility of the child being either a boy or a girl. If this is too expensive, she may use one rooster and one hen as the hen will count both for her and for the possibility of the baby being a girl.
• Some say that one may use one chicken for many people. In practice, if one cannot afford one chicken per family member, one may use one rooster for all the males and one hen for all the females.
• One who has no chickens may use other kosher animals or even fish.
• One who is helping others do the kaparot should first do it for himself so that “those who are cleansed can cleanse others.”
• One who cannot use an animal may use money instead. The money should be at least the value of a chicken. The money should be given to charity. One should not use ma’aser funds for this. One should say the text of Benei Adam etc. zeh chalifati etc. The words zeh hatarnegol yelech lemitah should be substituted with the phrase Zeh Hakesef Yelech L’tzedoka (this money will go to tzedaka).
• Before bringing the chicken to be slaughtered, some have a custom to gently lean on the chicken. This is similar to the sacrifices in the Holy Temple upon which the owners would lean.
• The chicken should be slaughtered as soon as possible after it is used for Kaparot.
• As much as possible, one should not allow the live chickens to “witness” the slaughtering of the chickens that precede them. This is an unnecessary pain and may even affect their kosher status.
• There is a mitzvah to cover the blood of slaughtered (kosher) fowl and wild (kosher) animals. One who wishes to perform this mitzvah should ask the shochet(ritual slaughterer) permission to do so as the mitzvah technically “belongs” to the shochet. One should say the blessing Asher Kidishanu … al kisuy Dam Be’afar, and then cover the blood with sawdust, sand or earth.
• This mitzvah represents sweetening the judgment (blood) with kindness as represented by the earth which symbolizes bittul (self-effacement).
• It is customary to tip the shochet (ritual slaughterer).
• If the shechitah is invalid, one should buy another chicken and repeat the process.
• Either the chickens or their value should be donated to the poor.
• Certainly, it is forbidden to discard the slaughtered chickens. This would be a transgression of the Biblical commandment of bal tash’chit (one may not waste). The chickens should be treated kindly and not waved in a manner that is painful to them.
• Some say it is better to perform Kaparot with money than to use chickens that will be discarded. In practice one should consult one’s Rav.
• Some men have a custom of immersing in the Mikvah before Kaparot.
• The Chabad Rabbe’im would don Shabbat clothes on Erev Yom Kippur after Kaparot.

• Mizmor LeToda (Siddur pg. 30 right after Baruch She’amar) This prayer corresponds to the thanksgiving offering which was brought daily in the Holy Temple but not on Erev Yom Kippur. The reason for this is that there would not be enough time to consume the sacrifice.

• Tachnun (Siddur pg. 54) As this day is a mini-holiday, it is not fitting to recite confessionary prayers.

• We do not recite Avinu Malkeinu.

• Every sin towards a fellow-man is also a sin against G-d. G-d does not forgive the aspect of the sin towards Him until one seeks forgiveness from his fellow man.
• For this reason, anyone who may have insulted or hurt his fellow-man should apologize and ask for forgiveness on this day.
• The peace that is brought about on this day through these actions causes the Satan to have no claims against the Jewish people.
• In addition, by asking for forgiveness, we become similar to angels amongst whom there is no jealousy or competition.
• In addition, when we forgive each other, G-d acts reciprocally and forgives us.
• When asking for forgiveness, one should specify how he injured the other party. If this will cause embarrassment to the other party, one should not do so.
• One who sinned towards an individual must ask him specifically for forgiveness and should not address him as part of a group.
• If one owes money to another person for having damaged him, one should pay it before Yom Kippur, or, at the very least, assure the other party that he will do so.
• One should always discuss a (possible) financial obligation with a Rav and not rely on one’s own decision in this regard (Elef HaMagen 606:7).
• If the grieved party refuses to forgive, one should attempt to seek forgiveness at least two more times. Each time he or she should bring a different group of (three) friends with him to show that he is sincere (See Ben Yehoyadah on Yoma, 87a and Mishnah Berurah 606:4).
• If one insulted one’s teacher, there is no limit to the number of times he must seek forgiveness.
• One who is asked to forgive should not harden his heart but should quickly forgive unless doing so will lead to his detriment (if he feels the person will repeat the offense as a result).
• One who forgives others will be forgiven by G-d whereas one who does not forgive will not be forgiven by Him.
• One who does not remove hatred (from his heart) on Yom Kippur, his prayers will not be heard, (G-d forbid). But one who rises above his (negative) traits will have all his sins forgiven.
• There was once a great Torah scholar who had been shamed by a certain wealthy and powerful man. When someone approached the scholar afterwards asking him to forgive the wealthy man, the Torah scholar explained that he had forgiven him immediately. He cited the Zohar that says that the sins of the Jewish people weigh down the wings of the Shechinah. So in order not to cause G-d pain, he had immediately forgiven the man so that the sin would be erased.

• It is customary to dip the Challah in honey when eating the meals of this day.
• It is not necessary to have lechem mishnah (two loaves of challah) at these meals.
• It is customary for Ashkenazim to eat Kreplach (pockets of dough with meat or chicken in them) on this day. The meat represents judgment while the dough represents mercy which covers the judgment (Ta’amei HaMinhagim). Chicken is preferred over red meat as it is best to not consume red meat before the fast. Some say that the small amount of meat in the kreplach is not a problem.
• If possible, one should host poor people at one’s table on this day. In this way, his “table” effects atonement.
• If one wishes to eat after completing the second meal, it is best to make a condition before reciting the Grace after Meals that he plans to continue eating and drinking after the meal.

• Red meat – so one shouldn’t be overly full when praying on Yom Kippur
• Sesame seeds. These tend to increase one’s saliva which would cause one to be distracted from the Yom Kippur prayers.
• Men should not eat garlic or eggs throughout the entire day (this doesn’t apply to eggs in cakes etc), nor dairy (including butter) or spicy foods in the afternoon. This is to ensure bodily purity. (One may have milk with his coffee.)
• In terms of eggs, one should not eat scrambled or warm boiled eggs. A cold boiled egg is permissible (Elef HaMagen, 606:49).
• It is customary to eat fish during the first meal. The Tur (Siman 604) recounts how a certain Jew outbid the servant of the ruler of the city to buy a fish for Erev Yom Kippur. In the second meal, however, some say one should not eat (warm) fish. Some permit it.
• In addition, one should refrain from eating salty foods so as not to be thirsty on Yom Kippur.
• One should be careful not to drink alcohol to the point of inebriation on Erev Yom Kippur.
• One should not eat in a gluttonous manner

• The Chabad custom is to administer the lashes before immersion in the Mikvah and Mincha.
• Some administer these lashes after Mincha.
• A leather strap (belt) is used.
• The one receiving the Malkot should kneel facing north. This is to symbolize that many sins are caused by greed for money. (North represents money as the verse (Job 37:22) says, “Gold is brought from the North.”)
• The one administering the lashes should tap the other lightly on his back 39 times while reciting the verse “Vehu Rachum” (top of pg. 118 in the Siddur) three times. The lashes begin on the right shoulder, then the left shoulder and then the center of the lower back. They continue in this circular pattern, repeating the verse of Vehu Rachum (which contains 13 words) three times, for a total of 39 times. The one receiving the lashes should also recite this verse together with the one giving them. Some recite confessionary prayers while receiving the lashes.
• The three repetitions of the verse represent the sins of thought, speech and action. The 13 words in the verse correspond to the fact that the court punishes from the age of 13.
• Some say that, if possible, a son should not administer these lashes to his father nor a student to his teacher (Piskei Teshuvot, 607, 5).

• Some immerse before Mincha in order to say the confession at Mincha in purity while others immerse after the Se’udah HaMafseket in order that the immersion be close to the beginning of Yom Kippur. Some do both.
• One should immerse after midday (chatzot) or, at the very earliest, up to one hour before that.
• Even one who immersed in the mikvah in the morning should immerse again before Mincha.
• Each time one should immerse oneself in the Mikvah at least three times.
• Some immerse thirteen times.
• Some immerse 39 times corresponding to the number of lashes that were administered.
• A swimming pool is also sufficient for this purpose.
• It is better (but not necessary) to turn off the filter for this immersion.
• One who cannot immerse in a Mikvah (or swimming pool) should instead shower thoroughly for three or four minutes.
• In some communities, married women who are not in a state of Niddah also immerse in the women’s Mikvah on this day.
• Extensive preparation is not required for this immersion as (women do) for regular Mikvah immersions. Nevertheless, it is proper to shower before immersing and to make sure one doesn’t have anything intervening between his (or her) body and the water.
• No blessing is recited on this immersion.
• One who is in mourning (G-d forbid) or sitting Shiva may shower and immerse in the Mikvah within an hour or two of sunset. At this time, they no longer sit for shiva although the other laws of shiva apply until nightfall.
• According to the Talmud (Pesachim 51a), one may not bathe with one’s father, father-in-law, stepfather, or sister’s husband. Generally, Ashkanazim are not strict regarding this in terms of going to the mikvah. See Rama, Even Ha’Ezer, 23:6 and Otzar HaPoskim there.

• One should don one’s Shabbat clothes before Minchah.
• Before Mincha, it is customary to give a lot of Tzedaka (charity). The Baal Shem Tov taught that the unholy forces are disturbed by the sound of the rattling coins being given to Tzedakah at this time (Ba’al Shem Tov al HaTorah, Mador Rosh HaShana VeYom Kippur, 48).
• The Holy sefarim (books) write that one should give plentiful amounts to Tzedakah, even beyond one’s means on this day especially to upright poor people. This is a tremendous segulah (propitious act) for atoning for one’s sins. The Alter Rebbe writes (Igeret HaTeshuvah, end of chapter 3) that although generally one should not give more than one-fifth of his income to tzedakah, one may do so in order to atone for one’s sins.
• One should pray with great feeling while doing teshuvah from the depths of one’s heart (Igrot Kodesh Rayatz vol. 6 pg. 429).
• During the silent Amida, Al Chet (the confessionary prayer) is added before the final paragraph (new Chabad siddur pg. 363). The purpose of confessing at this time is in case we will be unable to confess on Yom Kippur night (due to overeating or drinking [alcohol]).
• One should bend one’s head while reciting the Al Chet as a sign of humility. One should bang (the left side of) his chest with his fist (softly) to indicate that the sins we did were a result of the desires of the heart. We do the same every time we recite the Al Chet during Yom Kippur.
• One should beat one’s chest when saying “Ve’al chet…” when saying “Ve’al Chata’im” (the paragraph after ve’al hachet) as well as when saying “Slach lanu, mechal lanu kaper lanu” (the refrain).
• One should not interrupt in the middle of the viduy (confessionary prayers) except to respond to Kedusha or Modim, as one would respond in the middle of Elokai Netzor.

• Some go out of their way to invite needy people to this meal as this brings a person a kaparah (atonement) before Yom Kippur (Mateh Efrayim 605:18).
• One should not use a mouthwash or breath-freshener before Yom Kippur that will leave a taste in one’s mouth on Yom Kippur.

• Yom Kippur is the final judgment day.
• To have light with which to read Tehillim and the prayers of the day. (This reason applied before electricity.)
• In order to be able to recite Havdalah using the candle.
• This candle is to atone for the soul which is also called a candle.
• The candle has the gematriyah (numerical value) of 250. This corresponds to the limbs in a male body (248) plus one for the nefesh (lower-level soul) and one for the neshamah (higher-level soul). By lighting the candle, we ask G-d to atone for all of these.
• The number 250 also corresponds to the 248 positive mitzvot as well as the negative commands that are rectified by positive commands (lav hanitak la’asei) and the negative command that involves no action (lav she’ein bo maaseh). On this day we are asking G-d to forgive all our deficiencies in these areas.
• The second set of Luchot (tablets) were delivered to the Jewish people by Moshe Rabeinu on Yom Kippur. Thus, Yom Kippur is the day of the completion of the giving of the Torah. We commemorate this by lighting a candle since the Torah is compared to light.
• One who says Yizkor should light an additional candle. This is called the Neshama licht, the Neshama candle. One candle is sufficient even if both parents have passed away.
• Chabad custom is that the Lebedikeh licht is lit in Shul while the Neshama Licht is lit at home. Some do the opposite.
• I read in the Artscroll machzor that it is customary for the Lebedike licht to be bigger than the Neshama licht.
• The Alter Rebbe says that it is a bad sign if one’s candle goes out on Yom Kippur. Some therefore have the custom to place it in shul among the other candles in such a way that one will not know if his was extinguished.
• One should make sure to have at least one 24-hour candle in the home, so he can make the bracha on it during Havdalah (see below).
• The Shulchan Aruch states that a married couple should light a candle in their bedroom as a reminder that marital relations are forbidden on this night (see below).
• Although the fast begins at sundown, women and girls who are lighting candles (at 7:06 p.m.) begin the fast at this time. Men must also add to the holy day by refraining from eating, working, etc. for at least several minutes before sundown.See O.C. 608:1 that this is a Torah obligation.
• Two Brachot are recited: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom HaKippurim and Shehechiyanu.
• Candle-lighting is at 7:06 p.m. (Miami time)

• The father then adds whichever blessing he wishes to bestow upon each child.
• One should pray tearfully at this time that one’s children be sealed in the Book of Life and that they should be firm in their Yirat Shamayim (fear of heaven). The children too should be inspired at this time to go in the path of the righteous (Mateh Ephraim 619:2).

Laws of Yom Kippur

• As the fast proceeds and one feels weaker, one should be filled with joy over the great mitzvah he is performing. One should savor this mitzvah and wish it could extend for longer. One who constantly checks his watch, waiting impatiently to be able to break his fast is showing that he is not happy to fulfill this mitzvah. His reward will not be even one thousandth of the reward of one who fasted with joy. In addition, waiting for the fast to end makes it feel like a longer fast whereas fasting with joy makes it seem like the fast is over sooner.
• A woman who has given birth within the last three days is exempt from fasting.
• A woman who gave birth between three and seven days before Yom Kippur is also exempt from fasting unless both she and her doctor ascertain that she can safely fast.
• A pregnant woman or a woman who gave birth more than seven days before Yom Kippur who feels that she is unable to fast should discuss this with her doctor and Rabbi.
• Anyone who has a life-threatening condition that requires them to eat, must do so. One should consult one’s doctor and Rabbi before Yom Kippur.
• Those requiring medication for a serious but not life-threatening illness should consult their Rabbi before Yom Kippur.
• Even when permission is given to eat, one should eat and drink in small doses, if possible. One should eat food that is less than the size of a large date (or the volume of a one-ounce shot glass), drink a tablespoon amount of water (less than a cheek-full), wait nine minutes and repeat. Consult with a Rabbi for more details.
• One who is not well and eats the size of an olive of bread or more should recite the Grace after Meals and add Ya’aleh Veyavoh for Yom Kippur. One should not, however, recite Kiddush or do Lechem Mishnah (a blessing on two loaves of bread).
• Children under the age of 9 need not fast. Children nine years old and above should be trained to fast for part of the day. Health permitting, boys and girls from eleven years old until bar or bat mitzvah, should fast the entire day. The custom today is not to be strict in this matter and to permit children under Bar or Bat Mitzvah to not complete the fast. Nevertheless, it is proper to train children aged 11 years and above to fast at least until midday.

• The Ta’amei HaMinhagim explains that normally we wear shoes to separate between our feet and the ground as the earth was cursed when Adam and Chava sinned. Whereas on Yom Kippur the ground is considered sanctified, and this separation is not necessary.
• Shoes made of other materials may be worn, even if they are comfortable. This is the main Halacha and the widespread custom. Some are strict and say that it is best not to wear shoes of other materials either but rather slippers or just socks.
• The rules regarding wearing leather shoes apply also to children of all ages
• One may wear other garments that contain leather.

• Upon waking up in the morning, one should wash one’s hands up to the knuckles that join the fingers to the hand.
• After drying one’s hands, one may use the remaining moisture to “wipe the sleep off” of one’s eyes.
• One may wash one’s eyes in the morning if they are encrusted.
• Children (or adults who must eat because they have a life-threatening illness) should wash their hands until the wrist (as usual) before eating bread.
• It is forbidden to immerse in the Mikvah on Yom Kippur even if one experiences a keri (which renders a man impure).
• A woman whose Mikvah night falls out on Yom Kippur must postpone her immersion to the next night.
• A woman may wash herself as necessary (in conformance with the laws of Yom Tov) in order to make a hefsek taharah. One may wash part of their body with warm water in this case but not most of it.
• One who went to the bathroom (and touched a part of his body that is normally covered) should wash his fingers afterwards until the end of his knuckles. It is best for one to touch a part of the body that is normally covered when using the bathroom as, otherwise, there is a question as to whether or not one may wash their hands. This is especially important on the night of Yom Kippur, after Maariv when one does not plan to pray another prayer.

• Throughout Yom Kippur, couples should conduct themselves as they do during the Niddah state.
• As mentioned above, according to the Shulchan Aruch, one should light a candle in the bedroom where a husband and wife sleep as a reminder of this prohibition.

• It is not customary for women to wear a kittel, but in some communities, women wear white clothing in honor of the holy day. (But see Shulchan Aruch HaRav 610:9 that angels are considered to be “male.”)
• In addition, in some communities it is customary for women not to wear gold on this day as gold can allude to the sin of the golden calf.
• One should not take one’s kittel into the bathroom as it is a garment specifically used for prayer.
• Married men should wear a tallit for Kol Nidrei. One should recite the bracha (blessing) on the Tallit before sunset.
• If one did not put on one’s tallit until after sunset, he should do so without a bracha (blessing).
• One should recite Al Chet (confessionary prayers) privately as well as Tehillim before Kol Nidrei. This is to conform with the opinion that the main time to say viduy (confession) is as Yom Kippur begins.
• The Chabad custom is to recite psalms 115 to 123 at this time.
• It is customary to remove (at least) three Torah scrolls from the ark and stand holding them at the Bimah for Kol Nidrei.
• It is considered a great mitzvah to purchase the right to hold the first Torah Scroll during Kol Nidrei.
• The Chazzan should recite “Al Da’at Hamakom etc.” in an undertone.
• The Chazzan should recite Kol Nidrei three times while raising his voice slightly each time.
• Kol Nidrei should begin while it is still day and should last until it gets dark.
• Afterwards the Chazzan and the congregation should recite the blessing of she’hechiyanu. This blessing is recited on (almost) every Yom Tov night during Kiddush, but since there is no kiddush on Yom Kippur we say it now.
• Women who lit candles and said she’hechiyanu, should not say it again during the prayers.
• It is customary to recite the verse Baruch Shem (the second line of the Shema) aloud throughout Yom Kippur. This verse was heard by Moses from the angels, and so on this day when we all resemble angels, we say it aloud.
• Some people have the custom to recite the entire Tehillim (Psalms) on the night of Yom Kippur after Maariv. The Lubavitcher Rebbe would do this.
• Before going to sleep on this night, men should recite the first 4 chapters of Tehillim. This is a protection against unintentional impurity.
• According to Chabad custom, one should recite nine chapters of Tehillim before going to sleep as printed in the machzor.
• When reciting the Kriat Shema before going to sleep, one does not say Tachanun, just like any Yom Tov.

• One may not rinse one’s mouth.
• One should omit the blessing of She-asa Li Kol Tzorki (new Chabad Siddur pg. 7). In this blessing, we thank G-d for our shoes. Since we cannot wear regular shoes on this day, we omit this blessing. According to Chabad custom, it is not recited at night after Yom Kippur.
• Some have the custom to recite this bracha on Yom Kippur as well (See Mishnah Berurah 554:31).

Prayers

• One who is davening without a minyan need not repeat the viduy that is normally said during the repetition of the Amidah.

• Mourners during the first year of mourning should stay in shul but not recite Yizkor. This is the Chabad custom. In some communities those in the first year of mourning leave the shul as well.
• At this time, it is customary to make a pledge to tzedakah in honor of the departed souls of those mentioned in Yizkor. This is beneficial to both the living and those who have passed on. If the departed person were alive, he or she would have given tzedakah, and since we are now giving in his or her stead, G-d considers it as if they had given. (In the case of a wicked person who did not give tzedakah during his lifetime, giving in his memory does not help him.)

Musaf

• When bowing during the repetition of the Amidah of Musaf, if one is praying in a Shul that doesn’t have a carpet and the floor is stone, tile or brick, one should put something down on the floor to make a separation between his face and the floor. This is because the Torah forbids bowing on a stone floor as it was an ancient idolatrous practice.
• Some place a separation down even if it is a wood (or tile) floor. The Chazzan should not move his feet to be able to bow as he is in the middle of the repetition of the Amidah. Rather the amud (lectern) should be moved away so that he can bow in his place.
• One should try to keep pace with the congregation during the Avodah (part of Musaf prayer describing the Kohen Gadol’s service of Yom Kippur in the Holy Temple) so that one will be able to bow at the appropriate times with the community. If one is behind, he should skip ahead when the community bows and say that prayer with them.
• During Musaf, the blessing of the Kohanim is said.
• Sefardim say Birkat Kohanim in Shacharit and Ne’ilah as well as in Musaf.
• The Kohanim’s hands should be washed up to their wrists. The Levi’im who customarily wash their hands before washing the Kohanim’s hands may also wash their hands. The Mateh Efrayim (621:17) writes that the Levi’im should only wash until their knuckles.
• It is good to smell Besamim (good-smelling spices) on Yom Kippur and say the appropriate bracha. This is so that the person reaches the ideal of saying 100 blessings a day.
• The Chabad Rebbes were particular to have at least a short break (usually about forty-five minutes) during the prayers of the day, between Musaf and Mincha. They would use this time to learn their daily study sessions.

• We should calculate that if G‑d punished Aharon’s sons who were on such a high spiritual level, we should surely make a reckoning of our own spiritual standing and repent accordingly.
• From a Chassidic perspective this can be seen in a positive vein. The Torah (Vayikra 16:1) prefaces the commandments concerning the Yom Kippur sacrificial worship with the words, “G‑d spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they came close before G‑d and died.” Aharon’s sons died because their Divine service was impelled only by ratzo, the rapturous desire of the soul to run forward and cleave to its Source, without being grounded by shuv, the soul’s sober determination to return and fulfill its mission in the physical body and material world. On Yom Kippur, paralleling this dual dynamic, we tap these same intense spiritual energies, but focus them on maintaining our worldly framework.

• According to Chabad custom, the ark is opened for Ne’ilah. It should remain open for the entire Ne’ilah.
• One should pray Ne’ilah with tremendous concentration (Mateh Ephraim 623:4).
• During Kadish of Ne’ilah the chazzan (and a morner reciting kaddish) says, “Le’eilah ule’eilah mikol birchata.”

• When saying Shema one should have the intention to give one’s life up for the sake of G-d. This will be accepted on High as if he did so (Shela, cited in the Chabad Machzor).
• Reciting Hashem Hu Ha-Elokim seven times signifies that the Shechinah (Divine Presence) is departing to the seventh heaven. The Chazzan then says Kaddish. In the middle of the Kaddish, the Shofar is sounded according to Chabad custom.
• The Shofar blast represents the departure of the Shechinah as it did when the Shechinah departed from Mount Sinai. The blast is also a victory cry that we were found righteous in judgment. In addition, this blast confuses the Satan who begins to prosecute as soon as Yom Kippur ends.
• By the letter of the law, one may blow the shofar even before nightfall. Nevertheless, it is best not to blow the Shofar until after the fast is over in order to ensure that people do not think that Yom Kippur is over and break their fast too early.

• Before the sounding of the Shofar, it is the Chabad custom to sing and dance a victory march (the tune is called Napoleon’s march) to show our confidence that Hashem has accepted our prayers.

• Women who do not pray Maariv should say Baruch Hamavdil Bain Kodesh L’chol before doing any work.
• One who mistakenly said Hamelech hakadosh or HaMelech Hamishpat instead ofHakeil Hakadosh etc. need not repeat the amidah.
• Before havdala, one should wash one’s hands fully for Negel Vasser (until the wrist) without a bracha.
• As mentioned above, the Chabad custom is to not recite She’asa li kol tzarki – the blessing on the shoes at this time. Some say that it should be recited (Minhagei HaGra).

• If one does not have such a candle, he should seek to obtain one. If he cannot, he should skip the blessing on the candle.
• Some have the custom that the person making havdalah share the wine with others although this is not customary for a regular havdalah.

• It is proper to do Kiddush Levana (Sanctification of the New Moon) on this night as we are joyous after having achieved atonement.
• It is best for one to put on his regular shoes, wash one’s face, hear havdalah and eat something before reciting Kiddush Levana.

• One should have a full and proper sit-down meal. This meal elicits blessings for one’s physical needs throughout the year.
• One should dip the challah in honey when eating on this night.

• Another reason for this custom is that when one finishes doing Teshuvah and begins a day that may include sins, one should (instead) begin with a mitzvah immediately. This can be understood as follows: After doing Teshuvah one is likely to revert to sin if he thinks that one need only serve G-d at certain times or with certain limbs. We therefore begin with the mitzvah of Sukkah which encompasses the entire person and all of his daily, and even mundane, activities (i.e., one does everything that one normally does in the house – in the sukkah). When one realizes that all of these must be used to serve G-d, he will not return to sin.

• If possible one should personally be involved in building his Sukkah.
• A Sukkah can be kosher with two walls and a partial third wall. This is complicated and should not be done without Rabbinic consultation. The Chabad custom is to have a Sukkah with four proper walls.
• The walls must be sturdy enough so that they do not fall over or sway in the wind. One who is using a thin material should tie it down to the frame of the Sukkah so that it doesn’t sway in the wind. If the walls sway only slightly (less than nine inches from the center to either side), it is kosher (Piskei Teshuvot 630, 9).
• The walls should be at least 39 inches high. They may not be higher than 30 feet.
• The s’chach should consist of non-edible vegetation that has not been fashioned into any sort of utensil, e.g., palm fronds, bamboo sticks or other branches and leaves.
• If one of the walls reaches the level of the s’chach, but there is a covering that is not kosher for s’chach between the wall and where the s’chach begins, if that covering is less than six feet long, that wall can count as a wall of the sukkah. This is based on the principle of dofen akumah (a bent wall).
• If the walls do not reach the s’chach, i.e., there is an open space between the top of the walls and the s’chach, if the walls are directly beneath the s’chach, it is kosher. This is known as gud asik – a wall which goes up.
• If there is an area in the middle of the sukkah that is covered by an object that is not kosher as s’chach (e.g., a light), if that object is 12 by 12 inches, one should not eat underneath it.
• The s’chach (foliage that covers the Sukkah) should be thick enough so that even if it dries, the Sukkah will still have more shade than sun. It is best to be able to see the stars through the holes in the s’chach. Despite this, the Chabad custom is to use a large amount of s’chach, even if this makes it impossible to see the stars.
• If one is using bamboo mats, one should make sure that they have a hechsher (Rabbinic approval) as not all mats are acceptable as s’chach.
• From the language of the Alter Rebbe, it seems that one should specifically intend to build a Sukkah for the purpose of shade in order for the Sukkah to be kosher.
• The s’chach should be supported and held in place by wood or other material that is itself kosher to be used as s’chach.
• The sukkah should be open to the sky. If there are overhanging branches from nearby trees, those branches should be cut away. If this is not practical, a rabbi should be consulted.
• If a gentile puts up the s’chach, a Jew should pick up and put back down at least one piece of s’chach while having in mind that it is for the sake of the mitzvah of sukkah. The same applies if one is using the s’chach that remained on his sukkah from last year.
• It is not the Chabad custom to adorn the sukkah with pictures and the like.

• If possible, one should daven (more or less) at the same time that the local minyan is davening.
• Men should wear a kittel and tallit as they would in Shul.
• One should skip the 13 attributes of Mercy.
• One may say the piyutim (poems) that are normally recited during the repetition of the Amidah. It is not mandatory to do so.
• It is recommended that one read the section about the Avodah (service in the Beit HaMikdash).
• It is not necessary to say the viduy that is normally said during the repetition of the Amidah.
• All sections for which the ark is usually opened may be recited even though one does not have an ark to open.
• It is recommended (but not mandatory) to read the Torah and Haftorah readings.
• One may recite Kol Nidrei and Yizkor without a minyan.
• One may bow to the floor as is customary even without a minyan.
• One who has a shofar should blow it at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. But one need not go out of their way to get a shofar or to hear this blowing.