General fast day checklist & Summary

General laws:

• One must be especially careful to avoid anger on a fast day
• The fast begins at Alos Hashachar, which is approximately two fluctuating hours prior to sunrise.
• Children are not to be given sweets and the like although one is not required to stop them from eating it if they are in the midst of doing so.]
• On a public fast day one does not rinse his mouth in the morning. If however this is causing one discomfort he may be lenient to rinse his mouth.
• One may brush ones teeth on a fast day if not doing so will cause one pain or discomfort it is allowed.
• One may use mouthwash if not doing so will cause pain and discomfort.

The Davening:

• The Chabad custom is to recite the Selichos within Tachanun, after Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis.
• Selichos is customarily recited while standing.
• The Chabad custom is to omit the saying of Ashamnu within Selichos when it is recited within the prayers of Shacharis.
• Selichos must be recited slowly and with concentration.
• It is forbidden to recite the thirteen attributes without proper concentration.
• The thirteen attributes are to be recited slowly and carefully.
• The thirteen attributes are to be recited aloud.
• The custom is to open the ark and stand for the saying of Shema Koleinu.
• Avinu Malkeinu is recited after Selichos, prior to “Veanachnu Lo Neida”.
• One continues straight to Veanchnu Lo Neida after Avinu Malkeinu and omits the short Avinu Malkeinu prayer normally recited prior to Veanachnu Lo Neida.
• One does not say Keil Erech Apayim unless it is a Monday or Thursday.
• The Torah portion of Vayichal is read during Shacharis.
• The prayer of Aneinu is added during Mincha Shemoneh Esrei of a fast day. It is recited within the blessing of Shomeia Tefila, prior to the words “Ki Ata Shomeia”.
• The Chazan recites Aneinu as a separate blessing between the blessings of Goal Yisrael and Rifaeinu. This applies during the Chazan’s repetition of both Shacharis and Mincha Shemoneh Esrei.

Mincha:

• Prior to Mincha one is to give Igara Ditaanisa to charity.
• The Torah portion of Vayichal is read during Mincha. This is followed by the reading of the Haftorah.
• After the reading of the Haftorah, Yehalelu is recited and the Torah is returned to the Aron. This is then followed by half Kaddish.
• During Shemoneh Esrei of Mincha Aneinu is recited, as stated in the previous Halacha.
• The Chazan recites Birchas Kohanim in his repetition of Shemoneh Esrei of Mincha. Those places which are not accustomed to do Birchas Kohanim recite Elokeinu during the Chazan’s repetition.
• Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu are recited during Mincha of a fast day.