Page 174 - Chayei Adam LAYOUT sivan 5782

Chayei Adam - K’lal 144 - Laws of Erev Yom Kippur

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]14[ While it is still certainly day, we light candles. One should light candles in
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the room he sleeps in, so that he shouldn’t have marital relations. Even though
some say not to recite a beracha on the candles of Yom Kippur, the prevalent
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custom is to say “l’hadlik ner shel yom ha’kippurim”. If Yom Kippur is on
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Shabbos, then clearly we say “l’hadlik ner shel Shabbos v’shek Yom ha’Kippurim”
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and [also say] shehecheyanu. However, one should not [repeat] shehecheyanu in
shul.

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]15[ It is a mitzva to light many candles in shul, as it says “for the kedusha of
Hashem is honored” which refers to Yom Kippur when one cannot eat or drink
and it is [therefore] a mitzva to honor it with candles and clean clothing. In our
country it is the custom for every household head to light a wax candle for his
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family and also to light a candle for the neshamas of his father and mother who

םדו רשב
60. The mishna (Pesachim 53b) tells us 62. See O.C. siman 263 and Chayei Adam
that in some places they would light candles K’lal 5 that there are two reasons why Chazal
on erev Yom Kippur and in some places they mandated that we light candles on a regular
[specifically] did not. The gemara explains that Shabbos: (a) in honor of the enjoyment of
both customs revolved around the same idea, Shabbos, meaning that one should eat the
as follows: Marital relations are forbidden on meal in a lit room; (b) to maintain domestic
Yom Kippur. Since it is forbidden to have peace in that people will be able to see where
relations in a lit room (see Shulchan Aruch O.C. they are going and not stumble around in the
240:11) the presence of a lit candle will ensure dark. Although only the second reason applies
that the couple does not engage in intimacy. on Yom Kippur, the Rosh maintains that a
On the other hand, if candles are lit, a man beracha is indeed recited, and the Rema
might see his wife and become attracted to testifies that this is our custom. Many
her. (Rashi, Talmud Yerushalmi) Even if this authorities, however, disagree (Mordechai,
won’t lead to transgression per se, it will be Maharil, Mahari Veil) and maintain that
detrimental to his purity of thought on this lighting candles on erev Yom Kippur is no
holy day. (Taz) more than a strong custom and no beracha is
בי
recited. This is also the ruling of Shulchan
61. If there is light elsewhere in the house, Aruch and the opinion of the Gra. There are,
then he will definitely see his wife and all however, varying customs even among the
agree that he should light a candle in the Sefardim (see Kaf Hachayim) and although this
bedroom as a deterrent (Rema). is the prevalent custom among Ashkenazim,

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