1. Timing and Structure of Slichus on the Second Day
On the second day of Slichus—penitential prayers, which is always a Monday, there are certain customs and practical details to note. Unlike the first night, where special rules and pronunciations are emphasized, these are not repeated for subsequent days. From today onward, Slichus is recited in the morning before Shacharis—the morning prayer. According to halacha, the ideal time is ashmores haboker—the last watch of the night, shortly before dawn—as taught in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. However, in practice, most communities say Slichus before their regular morning prayers rather than precisely at dawn.2. Practical Custom in Chabad and Other Communities
In Lubavitch tradition, as observed by the Rebbe in 770, there is typically a gap between Slichus and Shacharis. For example, Slichus might be at 7:00 AM with davening at 9:30 AM. Most people adjust their minyan schedule slightly earlier to accommodate Slichus, but it is not always immediately before davening. This differs from the first night of Slichus, when there is a rush to begin as soon as Shabbos ends due to its sanctity. After that initial night, the custom becomes to say Slichus each morning at the start of the day.3. Number of Slichus Days Before Rosh Hashanah
The number of days on which Slichus is recited depends on when Rosh Hashanah falls during the week. If Rosh Hashanah begins on Thursday there are four days of Slichus; if it begins on Shabbos there are six, Sunday through Friday. If it starts on Monday there are seven, and on Tuesday eight. This calculation ensures that there are never fewer than four days of these penitential prayers before Rosh Hashanah.4. Birchus Hashachar – Morning Blessings Procedure
Birchus Hashachar—the morning blessings—are traditionally said at home before going to shul in Chabad communities. In some other places, they are recited in shul. This can create complications if one arrives very early for Slichus, as it may still be too dark for certain blessings or require washing hands again when daylight comes. At minimum, one should say Birchus HaTorah—the blessing over Torah study—before reading verses or learning Torah. The various halachos regarding these blessings are discussed in detail in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. In practice for Chabad, since blessings are said at home, they are completed before coming to shul for Slichus, avoiding any issues with timing.5. Wearing a Talit During Slichus – Customs and Halachos
The custom is for the Shliach Tzibbur—prayer leader—to wear a talit during Slichus. Even young men who do not usually wear a talit may do so when leading these prayers. In Chabad specifically, unlike some other communities where only married men wear a talit or where leaders do not wear one at all unless married, it is common for whoever leads to don a talit for Slichus. This practice is based on Hashem’s teaching Moshe Rabbeinu the 13 Attributes of Mercy while wrapped like a prayer leader. If one will proceed directly from Slichus to davening, he simply puts on his talit beforehand with a blessing and continues through both services without issue.6. Special Cases Regarding Talit Blessings Before Slichus
If someone puts on his talit only for Slichus, then removes it before davening (for example if there’s a long break), questions arise about whether another blessing is needed later. If he does not wish to make an extra blessing (for example if it’s too early), he might borrow another’s talit without intent to fulfill his own mitzvah obligation or use a shul talit with specific intent not to acquire ownership for mitzvah purposes. If there is no significant interruption between removing and putting back on the talit (such as not leaving shul or using facilities), generally no new blessing is required according to laws of tzitzis.7. Nighttime Slichus and Talit Usage Differences
For nighttime or pre-dawn Slichot (such as on the first night), wearing a talit serves mainly as an honorific garment rather than fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzis since it isn’t yet daytime. Therefore no blessing is made when putting on a talit at night or before dawn (misheyakir bein techeiles l’lavan—when one can distinguish blue from white). Some opinions require a blessing even then if it’s a daytime garment worn at night but standard practice is not to make one until daytime proper. To summarize: At night or very early morning before dawn, put on the talit without making a bracha; during regular morning hours before davening after dawn, put on with a bracha if leading Slichot and continuing into davening.8. Who Wears Talit During Slichus?
These rules about wearing a talit primarily apply only to the prayer leader (Shliach Tzibbur). The rest of the community does not put on their talit until beginning regular morning prayers that follow Slichot.