וChelek 6
- You must say the viduy at Mincha before the seuda hamafsekkes. Some poskim hold to say a viduy also after you eat just before dark. Our minhag of saying Tefillas Zakka fulfills this. (ShA – MB )
- Whenever an individual recites the Yom Kippur viduy it should be after Shemoneh Esray, before he says Elokai N’tzor. A shaliach tzibbur incorporates the viduy into the middle beracha of the Amida. (Rama – MB , )
- The chazzan does not repeat the viduy during Mincha on Erev Yom Kippur. (MB )
- Once you confess with the general word “chattasi” you have fulfilled the minimum requirement of mitzvas viduy. However it is proper to silently detail the sins you have done. You cannot fulfil this detail with the standard nusach of Al Chayt. (ShA – Rama – MB )
- You stand and bend over (like in Modim) during the confession. Do not support yourself to the extent that if it would be removed you would fall. If bending over is difficult, you can be lenient to just bend your head over slightly. (ShA – MB – ShaH 6)
- This position should be maintained until after “..al chatoyim she’onu chayovim alayhem arba missos bais din…..” (MB )
- Our minhag is, as the Rama says, to join the chazzan when he repeats the viduy. (MB )
- Do not change any nusach printed in the siddurim of your place even if the nusach has a questionable accuracy. It isn’t worth removing yourself from the klal. (MB )
- Do not speak during the viduy except to answer Kaddish and Kedusha. (MB )
- When you mention the sin in the viduy hit your fist against your chest or heart. (MB )
- The main viduy is “Avol anachnu chotonu.” You must also say “oshamnu”, and “ovinu poshanu”. We have a custom to say other things like “Ma nomar l’fonecha…”, “Atto yodaya rozzay olam…” and “Al chayt…” (Rama – MB )
- It is praiseworthy to say viduy on sins that you confessed upon last Yom Kippur even though you did not repeat them. (ShA – MB )
- If you normally say the possuk “Yih’yu l’ratzon…” before Elokai N’tzor, do the same before beginning the viduy. (MB )
- Yom Kippur cleanses away sins only for those that repent and believe in its kappara powers, but if you think “What does this Yom Kippur help me?” it will not cleanse you. (Rama )