The Shabbat before Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuva. The reason why it’s called that, is because of the special Haftara that we read in Sefer Hoshea that begins with the Pasuk, ‘Shuva Yisrael Ad Hashem Elokecha.’ It is customary on this Shabbat, that the Rabbi gives a special Derasha (lesson) that is geared to motivating the congregation to make Teshuva and to repent and get closer to G-d.
It’s also a time where the Rabbis start to teach the congregation the laws that pertain Yom Kippur and also the holiday of Succot.
Rav Chida (Rav Chaim Yoseif David Azulai, 1724-1806) writes that while on every Shabbat of the year not to engage in idle chatter and such, we should be especially careful on Shabbat Shuva. We do this in order to set the precedent for the coming year. We should be extra careful on our speech, and on the things that we say. The Pasuk writes, ‘Vedaber Davar’ and we learn from there, that we have to be careful about what we say on Shabbat. It must be Divre Torah and only things of Kedusha.
Halacha says that on this Shabbat, we say ‘Tzidkatecha’ in Mincha, and on Motzae Shabbat, the Halacha also says that when Yom Kippur and Succot fall out in the same week, we do not say ‘Yoshev Beseter Elyon.’ On Motsei Shabbat. We go straight to ‘Vata Kadosh.’ Furthermore on Motzae Shabbat, we should be careful to have a Milave Malka (4th meal after Arbit). Even though we are careful all year around to have the fourth meal with bread, we have to be extra careful on this Motzae Shabbat to follow the Halacha of having bread on Motzae Shabbat in order to add that to our Zechuyot.
Last but not least, there is a famous Machloket (argument) amongst the Acharonim as to when we should make Birkat Halevana . The opinion of the Gaon MeVilna, was to make the Birkat Halevana before Yom Kippur. He held that it’s a credit, and is an extra Zechut before the Holiday which can help to tip the scales in our favor. However, it seems, the Minhag in our community is to follow the Rama. He writes to make Birkat Halevana after Yom Kippur, in order we can make the Beracha with Simcha (happiness). The Chachamim tell us that making Halevana is like meeting the Shechina (divine presence), and therefore we have to be happy. Before Yom Kippur we are nervous because we have a lot of sins, and therefore we would not be able to make it with same attitude.
It has been said many times, if a person wants to know if his Yom Kippur was successful, and if he grew and elevated himself, that one could test himself when they announce to say Birkat Halevana on Motzae Kippur. If one hears the announcement, and says that you are tired and hungry, and they want to go home, then it seems that Kippur didn’t do its job. But if a person hears the announcement of Birkat Halevana, and he is excited since he has a Mitzvah to fulfill, then you know that he has accomplished something on Yom Kippur.
Tizku Lishanim Rabot Niemot Vitovot!
