Many communities have the custom from the Arizal (Rav Yishak

Luria of Safed, 1534-1572), recorded in Sha’ar HaKavanot (Hilchot Yom HaKippurim),

to recite the “Yag Midot”-thirteen attributes of mercy- when taking out the

Torah on Yom Tob. This practice is recorded by the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David

Azulai, 1724-1806) in his Birkeh Yosef (Siman 488), and Kaf HaHaim (Rav Haim

Palachi, Turkey, 1788-1869), in Moed L’kol Hai (13:40).

The Ben Ish Hai’s (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) position

regarding this practice can be derived from his response to an interesting

question in his Torah Lishmah: Does saying the “Yag Midot” three times

constitute a problem of “Modim, Modim” or “Shema, Shema”? That is, the Halacha

prohibits saying the Shema or Modim two times consecutively, because it appears

that one is serving two deities. Is repeating “Yag Midot” also a problem? He

answers that the prohibition only applies to the specific instances mentioned

by the Gemara. Other phrases are not a problem. For example, “Hashem Melech,

Hashem Malach, Hashem Yimloch…” is recited every day, and it is common practice

during the high holidays to repeat “Hashem Hu HaElohim” seven times.  In any event, it is apparent that the Ben Ish

Hai subscribed to this custom, as well. Otherwise, he would have responded by

rejecting the custom altogether, instead of dealing with the issue of the repetition.

However, Hacham Ovadia in many places (Yabia Omer vol. 10,

Hilchot Yom Tob) rules that it is best not to recite the “Yag Midot.” He argues

that although it is mentioned in the teachings of the Arizal, it is

contradicted by the fact that Rav Haim Vital, disciple of the Arizal, wrote

that the “Yag Midot” should not be recited on Hoshana Rabbah. Hacham Ovadia

reasons that if they should not be recited on Hoshana Rabbah, which is only Hol

Hamoed, how much more so they should not be recited on Yom Tob itself. He holds

that even though it’s mentioned in the Machzorim, one should skip it. Hacham Eliyahu

Mani also ruled not to say it.

Nevertheless, the commentators explain the apparent

contradiction in the custom of the Arizal: The problem reciting the “Yag Midot”

on Hoshana Rabbah is referring to saying it as part of Selihot, in the context

of “VaYa’avor Hashem AL Panav…” On Yom Tob, it is recited not as a

supplication, but as praise to Hashem. Thus, there is no contradiction. On

Hoshana Rabbah it should not be recited, but on Yom Tob it should.

This was, in fact, the practice in Yeshivat Porat Yosef

under the leadership of Hacham Ephraim Cohen, the great Mekubal and father of

Hacham Shalom Cohen, the current Rosh Yeshiva. Hacham Ezra Atiya, the Rosh

Yeshiva, Hacham Bension and Hacham Salmon Eliyahu, father of Hacham Mordechai

Eliyahu, were also there and recited the “Yag Midot” on Yom Tob. This was also

the practice of the Mekubakim of Yeshivat Bet El. In fact, in the Kabbalistic

Siddur of the Rashash, this practice is found.

Although Hacham Ya’akob Hillel recently wrote a Teshuba

(responsa) in Va’Yashav HaYam against reciting it, it is difficult to go

against all the great Saddikim who upheld this custom.

SUMMARY

Those who have the custom to recite the “Yag Midot” when

taking out the Torah on Yom Tob should continue to do so.

**The above Halacha is a summary on full length elucidation

offered by Rabbi El J Mansour.  The audio

file of the full-length class is available to you by clicking here.