Yom Kippur Auction
Kol Nidrei / Maariv
Kol Nidrei — Opening Aron Kodesh
The Ark is opened as Yom Kippur begins and the Sifrei Torah are taken out for Kol Nidrei. Opening the Aron Kodesh opens the Gates of Heaven and lets its holiness shine on the congregation, and the one who opens it becomes the congregation's emissary at the very first moment of the holiest day of the year. The Frierdiker Rebbe taught that when the Ark is opened below, the gates open above. It is also a well-known segulah for an easy, healthy and swift birth, and for any new beginning a person hopes to bring into the world.
Kol Nidrei — 1st Sefer Torah
In Lubavitch custom, three or more Sifrei Torah are taken from the Ark for Kol Nidrei, and those who hold them stand beside the chazzan as the beis din before whom permission is granted to pray together with all of Israel and Kol Nidrei is proclaimed three times. Holding the first Sefer Torah, carried at the head of the procession, is among the most distinguished honors of the night: the Torah in one's arms as the whole congregation enters Yom Kippur, and a partnership with the chazzan in the prayers that open the day.
Kol Nidrei — 2nd Sefer Torah
Holding the second Sefer Torah beside the chazzan through Kol Nidrei. In Lubavitch custom those who hold the Sifrei Torah form the beis din before whom Kol Nidrei is proclaimed three times. This honor carries the merit of standing with the Torah as the congregation enters Yom Kippur, and a share in the prayers that open the day.
Kol Nidrei — 3rd Sefer Torah
Holding the third Sefer Torah beside the chazzan through Kol Nidrei, completing the beis din of three before whom Kol Nidrei is proclaimed. This honor carries the merit of standing with the Torah as the congregation enters Yom Kippur, and a share in the prayers that open the day.
Kol Nidrei / Maariv — Opening Aron Kodesh – Shema Koleinu
Shema Koleinu, "Hear our voice," is said with the Ark open, the congregation calling out each verse before the chazzan repeats it. It is one of the most personal moments of Yom Kippur: do not cast us away in old age, when our strength fails do not forsake us. Our Sages teach that the gates of tears are never locked. This honor carries the merit of heartfelt prayer that pierces the heavens, and of Hashem hearing our voice throughout the year.
Kol Nidrei / Maariv — Opening Aron Kodesh – Avinu Malkeinu
Avinu Malkeinu, "Our Father, our King," entered our prayers through Rabbi Akiva, whose short plea ended a drought after longer prayers had not. A heavenly voice explained that his prayer was answered because he readily let go of wrongs done to him. In Chabad custom Avinu Malkeinu is said at every service of Yom Kippur, beginning tonight with the Ark open. This honor carries the merit of forgiving and being forgiven, and of knowing that even as He judges us as King, He hears us as a Father.
Kol Nidrei / Maariv — Opening Aron Kodesh – Yaaleh
Yaaleh is sung at the start of the night with the Ark open. Its stanzas run backward through the alef-beis, from tav to alef, and trace the whole of Yom Kippur: may our plea rise at evening, our cry come before You by morning, and our joy appear by nightfall. Opening the Ark for Yaaleh carries the merit of a prayer that spans the entire day, from the first hour of Kol Nidrei to the closing of the gates at Neilah.
Shacharis
Shacharis — Opening Aron Kodesh – Shema Koleinu
The Ark is opened for Shema Koleinu in the chazzan's repetition of Shacharis, as the congregation calls out "Hear our voice" verse by verse. This honor carries the merit of heartfelt prayer that is heard, brought into the first prayer of the day itself.
Shacharis — Opening Aron Kodesh for Krias HaTorah
Opening the Ark to take out the Sifrei Torah for the reading of the Avodah. This is the Pesicha of the well-known custom: a husband whose wife is expecting seeks to open the Ark and take out the Torah as a segulah for an easy and swift birth, a practice the Rebbe advised to individuals privately. The Talmud teaches that the key of birth is one of three keys Hashem keeps in His own hand. Opening the Ark on Yom Kippur is likewise a segulah for any new venture, that it be opened from Above.
Shacharis — Kohen
Vayikra 16:1-6. The reading opens after the passing of Aharon's two sons: the Kohen Gadol may enter the Holy of Holies only on this one day, in white linen rather than gold, bringing a bull for his own atonement and his household's. May be given to a Kohen or purchased on behalf of one. The first aliyah carries the merit of humility before entering holiness, and of atonement that begins at home, with oneself and one's household.
Shacharis — Levi
Vayikra 16:7-11. The two goats stand at the entrance of the Sanctuary and the Kohen Gadol draws lots: one for Hashem, one for Azazel. Chassidus reads the lottery as a lesson that the outcome of our year rests not on our calculations but on Hashem's choice, which is always for our good. The Kohen Gadol then confesses over his own bull. May be given to a Levi or purchased on behalf of one. This honor carries the merit that our lot be drawn for Hashem, and that we be given the words to confess and be cleansed.
Shacharis — 3rd Aliyah
Vayikra 16:12-17. The Kohen Gadol brings the incense into the Holy of Holies, its cloud filling the innermost chamber, and sprinkles the blood before the Ark cover. No one else may be present: no man shall be in the Tent of Meeting. He stands there alone with Hashem, as each of us stands with the innermost point of the soul on Yom Kippur. This honor carries the merit of entering the innermost place and coming out whole.
Shacharis — 4th Aliyah
Vayikra 16:18-24. Atonement for the altar, then the confession of all of Israel's sins over the live goat, which is sent into the wilderness carrying them away. The Kohen Gadol immerses and changes his garments. This honor carries the merit that our sins be carried far off, and that we emerge from the day renewed.
Shacharis — 5th Aliyah
Vayikra 16:25-30. The sin offerings are burned, and the Torah commands the day itself: you shall afflict yourselves, for on this day He shall atone for you, to cleanse you; before Hashem you shall be cleansed. This honor carries the promise of the day itself: atonement and cleansing from Above.
Shacharis — 6th Aliyah
Vayikra 16:31-34. A Shabbos of Shabbosos it is for you, an eternal statute, to atone for the children of Israel once a year. The reading closes with Aharon doing as Hashem commanded Moshe. Everything follows its conclusion: the last aliyah of the Avodah reading carries the merit of the whole reading's atonement, sealed as an eternal statute.
Shacharis — Maftir
Maftir reads the Yom Kippur offerings from Bamidbar 29, and the Haftorah from Yeshayahu: clear the way, remove the stumbling block; is this the fast I choose? The prophet's answer is to loosen the bonds of the oppressed, share bread with the hungry, and call Shabbos a delight. This honor carries the merit that our fast be accepted, and that our teshuvah be carried into kindness all year.
Shacharis — Hagbah – 1st Sefer Torah
By raising the Torah, one becomes a partner with everyone honored before and shares in the reward of all the aliyos of the Avodah reading (Shulchan Aruch). Raising the Torah with reverence invokes a reciprocity from Above, that Hashem hold up and honor what we cherish: our children, our work, and all we bring into the world.
Shacharis — Gelilah – 1st Sefer Torah
Everything follows the seal. Wrapping and closing the first Sefer Torah gathers in the merit of the whole Avodah reading and secures it as one's own. Children may participate in this honor.
Shacharis — Hagbah – 2nd Sefer Torah
Raising the second Sefer Torah, from which Maftir is read. As with the first, the one who raises the Torah shares in the reward of all the aliyos, and invokes honor from Above for all we hold dear.
Shacharis — Gelilah – 2nd Sefer Torah
Wrapping the second Sefer Torah. Everything follows the seal: this honor closes the Torah reading of Yom Kippur morning and seals its merit. Children may participate in this honor.
Musaf
Musaf — Opening Aron Kodesh – Unesaneh Tokef
The Ark is opened for Unesaneh Tokef, among the most stirring prayers of the year, composed by Rabbi Amnon of Mainz after he gave his life rather than abandon his faith: on Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, but teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah avert the severity of the decree. Yom Kippur is the day of the sealing. This honor carries the merit of a good seal in the Book of Life, and of the mesirus nefesh of our generation as the Rebbe taught it: setting aside ego so the essence of the soul can shine.
Musaf — Opening Aron Kodesh – Shema Koleinu
The Ark is opened for Shema Koleinu in the chazzan's repetition of Musaf, as the congregation calls out "Hear our voice" verse by verse. This honor carries the merit of heartfelt prayer that is heard, at the heart of the day's longest and loftiest service.
Musaf — Opening Aron Kodesh – Avinu Malkeinu
The Ark is opened for Avinu Malkeinu at the close of Musaf. In Chabad custom Avinu Malkeinu is said at every service of Yom Kippur. This honor carries the merit of forgiving and being forgiven, and of standing before the King as children before a Father.
Musaf — Aleinu
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the Ark is opened for Aleinu in Musaf, and the entire congregation kneels and bows to the floor at "va'anachnu kor'im," the only days of the year we prostrate fully. The Ark is opened for Aleinu so that this acceptance of Hashem's kingship be carried into every prayer of the coming year. This honor carries the merit of whole-hearted acceptance of the yoke of Heaven, and the blessing it draws down for the year.
Mincha
Mincha — Opening Aron Kodesh for Krias HaTorah
Opening the Ark for the Mincha reading and the Haftorah of Yonah. This honor carries the same segulah as the morning Pesicha, for an easy and healthy birth and for new beginnings opened from Above, at the hour when the day turns toward its sealing.
Mincha — Kohen
The Mincha reading opens Vayikra 18: I am Hashem your God; keep My statutes and My laws, which a person shall do and live by them. Even on the holiest day the Torah turns to how we live. May be given to a Kohen or purchased on behalf of one. This honor carries the merit of a year of living Torah, with life.
Mincha — Levi
The Torah's laws of the family and the sanctity of the Jewish home, read at Mincha of Yom Kippur so that our teshuvah reaches into daily life. May be given to a Levi or purchased on behalf of one. This honor carries the merit of purity and peace in the home.
Mincha — Maftir Yonah
The most sought-after honor of Yom Kippur. The Maftir at Mincha reads the closing verses of the Torah portion and then the entire Sefer Yonah: the prophet who fled, the storm, the great fish, and the city of Nineveh whose teshuvah was accepted, teaching that no one is beyond Hashem's mercy and that teshuvah is accepted until the last moment. It ends with the words of Micha: who is a God like You, who pardons sin. For generations Maftir Yonah has been treasured as a segulah for wealth and parnassah (Nitei Gavriel). It is related that the Frierdiker Rebbe said it not only strengthens teshuvah but is a segulah for wealth, and that the Rebbe, asked why everyone wants it, answered that it holds many hidden segulos. It is also considered a segulah for shidduchim.
Mincha — Hagbah
By raising the Torah at Mincha, one becomes a partner with everyone honored before and shares in the reward of the aliyos and of Maftir Yonah (Shulchan Aruch). Raising the Torah with reverence invokes a reciprocity from Above, that Hashem hold up and honor what we cherish.
Mincha — Gelilah
Everything follows the seal. Wrapping and closing the Torah after the Mincha reading gathers in the merit of the last Torah reading of Yom Kippur and secures it as one's own. Children may participate in this honor.
Mincha — Opening Aron Kodesh – Shema Koleinu
The Ark is opened for Shema Koleinu in the chazzan's repetition of Mincha, as the congregation calls out "Hear our voice" verse by verse. This honor carries the merit of heartfelt prayer that is heard, as the day turns toward Neilah.
Mincha — Opening Aron Kodesh – Avinu Malkeinu
The Ark is opened for the last Avinu Malkeinu before Neilah. In Chabad custom Avinu Malkeinu is said at every service of Yom Kippur. This honor carries the merit of forgiving and being forgiven, and of a Father's love as the sealing draws near.
Neilah
Neilah — Opening Aron Kodesh
The Ark is opened at Ashrei and remains open for all of Neilah, the closing of the gates, the peak of Yom Kippur when the seal is set. The Rebbe would explain that as the gates close, we are on the inside, closer to Hashem than at any other moment of the year. The service ends with Shema Yisrael, Hashem Hu HaElokim seven times, Napoleon's March and one long blast of the shofar. Opening the Ark for Neilah is the most cherished Pesicha of the year, carrying the merit of the sealing itself: a good and sweet year, sealed with the gates open.
Break Fast
Break Fast — Full Sponsorship
Sponsor the community's break-fast after Neilah, the first meal after the fast, shared together as one community. The end of Yom Kippur is celebrated as a festive meal; the Midrash teaches that as the day ends a heavenly voice proclaims, go eat your bread with joy, for your deeds have been accepted. This honor carries the merit of feeding the community at the moment the year is sealed.