Yom Kippur Katan () is a penitential observance in Judaism held on the eve of (; ), framing the transition into a new month as an opportunity for confession, supplication, and moral reflection. Its theological foundation is rooted in the Torah's sin-offering, described in Numbers 28:15 as "one goat as a purgation offering to , to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its libation", as well as rabbinic interpretations that assign an atoning function to the monthly offering. Since is not designated as a fast day and fasting on this day is prohibited by halakhic authorities (), the penitential practices are observed on the preceding day (i.e., ). The liturgy of Yom Kippur Katan, as maintained in traditional Ashkenazic , begins with Psalm 102 ("a prayer of the afflicted, when faint") and proceeds with -like supplications. The waning moon and the month's conclusion are presented as symbols of diminution, accountability, and the aspiration for renewal.
Origin The custom is of comparatively recent origin and is not mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch. It appears to have been inaugurated in the sixteenth century at Safed by the kabbalist Moses ben Jacob Cordovero,Da Silva, "Peri Ḥadash," Rosh Ḥodesh, § 417 who called the fast Yom Kippur Katan; it was also included by Isaac Luria in his . Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz refers to it by that name, saying it should be observed by fasting and repentance: "Following the custom of the very pious, one must repent of his ways and make restitutions both in money and in personal acts, in order that he may enter the new month as pure as a new-born infant".Shelah, ed. Amsterdam, 1698, pp. 120b, 140a, 179a When occurs on Shabbat or Sunday, Yom Kippur Katan is observed on the preceding Thursday. As fasting is prohibited on Shabbat, , and many other Jewish holidays, the fast is moved up.
Practices
Fasting is not obligatory and is only performed by the very pious. One who wishes to fast must accept the fast at the Mincha of the previous day.
The liturgy of the day, which consists of selichot, is recited at the Mincha prayer in the afternoon.See Daniel Goldschmidt's article where he presents several different orders for this service which were practiced in the past in various communities. The service as practiced today is virtually the same in all communities. In many communities, Tallit and tefillin are worn, especially by those who are fasting. If there are among the congregation ten persons who have fasted, they read the Torah reading Vayechal (, ) as on other fast days.Although there are two opinions in Shulchan Aruch (562:2) if the special Torah Reading should be read, and the Mishnah Berurah rules that if there is no established custom, it is better not to read the Torah, the common practice is to read the Torah if there are 10 men fasting. The selichot are taken partly from the selichos of mincha from Yom Kippur, with the Viddui ha-Gadol (the great confession of sin by Rabbenu Nissim) and Ashamnu, and also a beautiful poem written for the occasion by Leon of Modena and beginning with Yom zeh. Some congregations add Avinu Malkenu. For the text of the Selichot see Baer, Avodat Yisrael, pp. 319–327;A scan is available here. Emden's Siddur Beit Ya'aḳov, ed. Warsaw, pp. 212a–216b.
Yom Kippur Katan is not observed on the day before Rosh Hashanah.Although there is a much older custom to fast on Erev Rosh Hashanah, this is not part of the custom of Yom Kippur Katan. It is not observed prior to Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan because Yom Kippur has just passed. It is not observed before Rosh Chodesh Tevet, because that day is Hanukkah. It is not observed prior to Rosh Chodesh Iyar, because one may not fast during Nisan.
As stated above, if the 29th of the month falls on a Friday or a Sabbath, Yom Kippur Katan is observed on the Thursday prior.
See also Isru chag refers to the day after each of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot. Mimouna, a traditional North African Jewish celebration held the day after Passover. Pesach Sheni, is exactly one month after 14 Nisan. Purim Katan is when during a Jewish leap year Purim is celebrated during Adar II so that the 14th of Adar I is then called Purim Katan. Shushan Purim falls on Adar 15 and is the day on which Jews in Jerusalem celebrate Purim. Yom tov sheni shel galuyot refers to the observance of an extra day of Jewish holidays outside of the land of Israel.
External links Artscroll Yom Kippur Kattan Service, from the publisher's website.
References
Notes
Further reading Gershom Scholem (1972), Yom Kippur Katan, Encyclopedia Judaica Louis Jacobs (1995), Yom Kippur Katan, from The Jewish Religion: A Companion, Oxford: Oxford University Press Shefa Gold (1989), The Dark Rays of the Moon: Yom Kippur Katan as Preparation for Rosh Chodesh