Today’s Halacha contains many references to the Taamim (pronunciations) and necessary pauses when reciting the Selichot. Please try and listen to the audio clip to properly comprehend today’s Halacha.]
Regarding the recitation of the Yag Midot in the Selichot. It should be pointed that the most important focal point of the Selichot is the Yag Midot. Chachamim tell us, if the congregation says the Yag Midot with meaning and with intent, then they never will go un-answered.
It should be pointed out that the most proper way to recite the Yag Midot is with a minyan. If one doesn’t have a Minyan he is still allowed to read it, however, he must then read it with Taamim. In most Sidurim, there are Taamim, (notes) under the words of the Yag Midot. Alone, one must say the Yag midot with Taamim. However, with the Minyan, one may say it as a prayer.
Now, the custom followed by the Sephardim as brought down by the Ben Ish Chai (Rav Yoseif Chaim ben Eliyahu 1835-1909) is that when we say the words, ‘Vayaavor Hashem Al Panav Vayikra,’ we bow down a little, and then when we get to the name of Hashem, we are already standing erect. The Ben Ish Chai’s opinion actually is, to bow a little even at the time when you say the Hashem Hashem. We don’t bow, but one may lower their head to fulfill the Ben Ish Chai.
Now it must be pointed out that there is a Pasek (pause) after the 1st word Hashem. And therefore one must recite, ‘Adonai---|, and then pause there and then continue, ‘Adnoai El Rachum Vechanun…’. If one doesn’t pause between the first Hashem and the second Hashem, it’s problematic. The Zohar speaks against it terribly. So one has to be very careful to take the proper pause. For that matter, when a person is saying ‘Vayityatseb Imo Sham Vayikra Beshem’, he also has to pause between the words ‘Beshem’ and ‘Hashem’ as it’s written in the Taamim. So those are the two places that it’s vital to pause. The first is when ‘Hashem---| Hashem’ is written back to back, and the second is at the words ‘Vayikra Beshem---|Hashem.’
Last but not least, there is a custom that should be embraced especially in these ominous times with what’s going on in Israel. The Ben Ish Chai says, that a Brit Milah, between the circumcision and Periah, it is an opportune time for the congregation to say the Yag Midot. The custom is to recite it 3 times between the Milah and the Periah. And it has the ability to ward off many bad Gezerot (decrees). Therefore in our times, if one is attending a Brit Milah, this custom should be embraced, to say the Yag Midot three items in succession, back to back to back, in order that Boreh Olam will have mercy on all of Jews throughout the world.
