Q. Dear Rov. As you well know, I take care of elderly people in a populated old-age home.
I try to help the ones that can’t attend the services and stay in their beds to make Teshuva on Yom Kippur as much as possible. Since some of them can’t speak, is it possible to recite the Viduy (confession) of averos we all say during Yom Kippur, and they will comply just by listening, as we do with Kiddush?
A. Rambam (H. Teshuva 1: 1), rules that Viduy is essential in performing Teshuva. Most Poskim maintain that the Viduy has to be recited verbally (Pri Megodim Pesicha Koleles 3: 10, and others).
However, some opine that there is indeed Shomea Keone, (listening is like saying) regarding Viduy also when necessary, similar to Kiddush and other blessings (Kad Hakemach. see also Kovetz Halochos 26).
The above applies especially when listening to the Shaliach Tzibur that is our envoy to direct our Tefilos to Hashem, and is similar to the Cohen Gadol who would recite the Viduy for all on the sacrifice of the ‘Seir Hamishtaleach.’
Therefore, when there is no option, one may recite the Viduy for the mute.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.