Q. Rav Shlomo Miller paskened that it is more important to be from the asara rishonim than to wake someone up for davening, as an alarm clock can be used. if the person says that the alarm clock is not so effective, or one feels obligated to do the chessed due to hakaras hatov, should one be mevater on being from the asara rishonim? Is there a difference between a regular day versus for example Yom Kippur – meaning, could one say to him On Yom Kippur I cannot wake you, as it is very important to me to be from the first ten?
A. Indeed, the Rov maintains that it is almost always achievable to have one wake up without having someone else present to do so. There are many different types of alarm clocks and some also have pads that vibrate strongly and can wake up anybody.
The Rov also suggested to call him on his phone and ascertain that he is awake. He may provide another person to wake him, in order not to lose the great spiritual gain of being from the Asara Rishonim. This would work on Yom Kippur too.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a