Yom Kippur

Kaporos

In the early morning hours of Erev Yom Kippur, after saying Selichos, the Rebbe does the minhag of Kaparos in the courtyard of his house The Rebbe then stands by, deep in concentration, as the shochet slaughters his kaparos and thereafter does the mitzvah of Kisui Hadam. The Rebbe’s family members also do Kaparos at the same time. The slaughtered birds are then prepared for the upcoming Erev Yom Kippur Tish.

Erev Yom Kippur Tish

After davening Shacharis the Rebbe comes into the Tish Hall for the first meal of Erev Yom Kippur. The seriousness of the upcoming day can be felt in the air as the thousands of chassidim gathered sing heartfelt nigunim (songs) of Teshuva and Dveikus (closeness to Hashem). During the tish the Rebbe says Torah, inspiring the masses to Teshuva and Tikun Hamasim (improving one’s character).

Mincha Erev Yom Kippur

In the afternoon hours thousands of chassidim, who have already been to the mikvah and are dressed in their Yom Tov finery, come to the big shul to join the Rebbe for the tefillah on Mincha Erev Yom Kippur. During this mincha Vidui and Al Cheit are recited.

Malkos

After completing Mincha, the Rebbe leans over and his Gabbai will “whip” him (with a towel) three times, according to the minhag of the previous Rebbes.
Afterwards the Rebbe returns to his house and has the Seudas Hamafsekes (second meal of Erev Yom Kippur), with his family.

The Tefillos

The multitude of Yidden fasting and davening on Yom Kippur, wearing their Kitels and Teleisim, is an awesome experience to behold. The Rebbe will personally lead the tefillos of Kol Nidrei, Maariv, Musaf and Neilah, as the thousands of men women and children gathered in the huge shul follow the emotional and heartfelt tefillos.
An especially moving part of the davening is when the whole shul, lead the by hundreds of children in the upper galleries, sing certain parts of the davening with slow and heartwarming melodies.