– Q. WHEN Exactly IS SELICHOS? I have seen the following traditions of Selichot reciting. Which is correct?

1) Minhag Barcelona: (start) 25th Ellul     ( ר”ן ר”ה ט”ז ע”א)

2)  Minhag Girona: (start) Rosh Hashana( ר”ן ר”ה ט”ז ע”א)

3) *תשובת הגאונים: -All ten days of Aseres Yemei Teshuva, Including Shabbos

4)  מאירי: Mondays & Thursdays of the whole month of  Ellul  

5)  שיבלי הלקט: The Monday & Thursday before Rosh Hashana

6) מטה אפרים: brings a Shita to start on the 15th of Ellul

7)  שלחן ערוך: Rosh Chodesh Ellul

8)  רמ”א: Sunday (or 2 Sundays) before Rosh Hashana

8b) Minhag חב”ד – Selichos ends Erev Rosh Hashanah

All others end on Erev Yom Kippur or on Yom Kippur

 *# 2 & # 3 might be the same (not sure if #2 said on Shabbos) In Siddur R. Amram Gaon, there are Selichos for Rosh Hashana and Friday night (Shabbos).”

A. The tradition of Ashkenazim is this year (2025) to begin reciting Selichos on the night after this coming Shabbos Parshas Ki Savo.

One should follow the traditions of his family or the congregation one attends.