Selichot

Selichot History

Selichot (Hebrew: סליחות) seeks to acknowledge one's sins and ask for forgiveness from God before the High Holidays. It is a time for reflection and spiritual preparation. It takes place in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The word selichot comes from the Hebrew word selicha, which means forgiveness.

Important aspects of Selichot include reciting special prayers and hymns that focus on themes of repentance and forgiveness. There are also special melodies and chants that are unique to the Selichot service. Some communities have the custom of reciting Selichot early in the morning, while others recite them during the night.

Selichot has a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. It is thought to have originated in Spain in the 9th century and spread throughout the Jewish world. In America, Selichot is observed by many Jewish communities in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Some synagogues hold special Selichot services that are open to the public, while others may have smaller, more intimate gatherings. Selichot is traditionally observed after midnight, but some communities hold services earlier in the evening to accommodate those who cannot stay up late. Selichot is observed on September 9th.

Top 4 Facts for Selichot in 2026

• For many Orthodox Jews, Selichot prayers are added to the daily cycle of religious services. Selichot are recited before normal daily shacharit (morning prayers) service. They add about 45 minutes to the regular daily service in a typical service.
• This is the season to begin the process of asking forgiveness for wrongs done to other people. According to Jewish tradition, God cannot forgive us for sins committed against another person until we have first obtained forgiveness from the person we have wronged.
• A fundamental part of selichot service is the repeated recitation of the Thirteen Attributes, a list of God's thirteen attributes of mercy that were revealed to Moses after the sin of the golden calf (Ex 34:6-7): Ha-shem [1], Ha-shem [2], God [3], merciful [4], and gracious [5], long-suffering [6], abundant in goodness [7] and truth [8], keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation [9], forgiving iniquity [10] and transgression [11] and sin [12], who cleanses [13].
• Many of the Selichot prayers are in the form of a main Selichah (forgiveness) prayer and a Pizmon (chorus), which is repeated after each changing Selichah prayer. Some of these Selichot have cantorial music for the Selichah and a repeating tune for the chorus.

In the News and Trending in the US for Selichot

Top things to do in the US for Selichot

• Use this period of time to forgive and ask for forgiveness. This is often difficult to do between life partners, parents and children.
• Many people visit cemeteries at this time, because the awe-inspiring nature of this time makes us reflect on our own life, death, and mortality. Consider visiting the graves of your ancestors, soldiers, or anyone who may have made a positive impact on society.
• Consider your position in life and ask God for forgiveness. Use this time to reset your daily habits and think how to change them to the better.
• Attend to a Selichot prayer ceremony or watch one on YouTube. A popular Selichot rendition is by Yitzchak Meir Helfgot.