[Avodah] Selichos - Especially before Midnight

[Arie Folger]

RRW wrote:
> Since Yeke's tend to NOT
> factor Qabblah into their Litrugical  considerations in general. [I hve no
> evidence just a good hunch]

Kabbalah does not feature at all PUBLICLY except for netilat lulav and sefirat 
ha'omer.

However, that does not preclude gedolei Ashkenaz from engaging in kabbalah 
(they often did, but on their own terms), and thus, indirectly, from 
flitering through to the masses. Thus, while berikh shemei isn't said, that 
much kabbalah could be let through, that selichot are said in ashmoret 
haboqer.

However, I see no point in this analysis. Selichot were developed for being 
recited in the morning. I am utterly unaware of a minhag to say selichot, 
which does not also care about when it is recited.

AFAIK, never before the 19th/20th century did people say selichot at 10pm.

Plus, some posters have pointed out that one can even understand the idea of 
the last third of the night being particularly appropriate for such prayers, 
without resorting to nistar.
-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com