Many communities have the custom from the Arizal (Rav Yishak
Luria of Safed, 1534-1572), recorded in Sha’ar HaKavanot (Hilchot Yom HaKippurim),
to recite the “Yag Midot”-thirteen attributes of mercy- when taking out the
Torah on Yom Tob. This practice is recorded by the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David
Azulai, 1724-1806) in his Birkeh Yosef (Siman 488), and Kaf HaHaim (Rav Haim
Palachi, Turkey, 1788-1869), in Moed L’kol Hai (13:40).
The Ben Ish Hai’s (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) position
regarding this practice can be derived from his response to an interesting
question in his Torah Lishmah: Does saying the “Yag Midot” three times
constitute a problem of “Modim, Modim” or “Shema, Shema”? That is, the Halacha
prohibits saying the Shema or Modim two times consecutively, because it appears
that one is serving two deities. Is repeating “Yag Midot” also a problem? He
answers that the prohibition only applies to the specific instances mentioned
by the Gemara. Other phrases are not a problem. For example, “Hashem Melech,
Hashem Malach, Hashem Yimloch…” is recited every day, and it is common practice
during the high holidays to repeat “Hashem Hu HaElohim” seven times. In any event, it is apparent that the Ben Ish
Hai subscribed to this custom, as well. Otherwise, he would have responded by
rejecting the custom altogether, instead of dealing with the issue of the repetition.
However, Hacham Ovadia in many places (Yabia Omer vol. 10,
Hilchot Yom Tob) rules that it is best not to recite the “Yag Midot.” He argues
that although it is mentioned in the teachings of the Arizal, it is
contradicted by the fact that Rav Haim Vital, disciple of the Arizal, wrote
that the “Yag Midot” should not be recited on Hoshana Rabbah. Hacham Ovadia
reasons that if they should not be recited on Hoshana Rabbah, which is only Hol
Hamoed, how much more so they should not be recited on Yom Tob itself. He holds
that even though it’s mentioned in the Machzorim, one should skip it. Hacham Eliyahu
Mani also ruled not to say it.
Nevertheless, the commentators explain the apparent
contradiction in the custom of the Arizal: The problem reciting the “Yag Midot”
on Hoshana Rabbah is referring to saying it as part of Selihot, in the context
of “VaYa’avor Hashem AL Panav…” On Yom Tob, it is recited not as a
supplication, but as praise to Hashem. Thus, there is no contradiction. On
Hoshana Rabbah it should not be recited, but on Yom Tob it should.
This was, in fact, the practice in Yeshivat Porat Yosef
under the leadership of Hacham Ephraim Cohen, the great Mekubal and father of
Hacham Shalom Cohen, the current Rosh Yeshiva. Hacham Ezra Atiya, the Rosh
Yeshiva, Hacham Bension and Hacham Salmon Eliyahu, father of Hacham Mordechai
Eliyahu, were also there and recited the “Yag Midot” on Yom Tob. This was also
the practice of the Mekubakim of Yeshivat Bet El. In fact, in the Kabbalistic
Siddur of the Rashash, this practice is found.
Although Hacham Ya’akob Hillel recently wrote a Teshuba
(responsa) in Va’Yashav HaYam against reciting it, it is difficult to go
against all the great Saddikim who upheld this custom.
SUMMARY
Those who have the custom to recite the “Yag Midot” when
taking out the Torah on Yom Tob should continue to do so.
**The above Halacha is a summary on full length elucidation
offered by Rabbi El J Mansour. The audio
file of the full-length class is available to you by clicking here.
