[Avodah] Yizkor

[Micha Berger]

On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 11:15:25AM -0400, Rich, Joel wrote:
: Any idea on how yizkor got tied to shalosh regalim given that Vsamachta
: is directly in opposition to the emotions of yizkor? (I have one source
: with an answer but it's not overly satisfying-and the original minhag
: ashkenaz was clearly not to say it on shalosh regalim)

The original minhag, dating all the way back to the Tanchumah (end
of Vayeilekh), was to say something and give tzedaqah on Yom Kippur,
and it quotes the Sifrei about saying something on Shabbos le'iluyei
neshamos. It spread throughout Ashk in response to the Crusades, and
the Sepharadim took it on as the Ari's influence spread.

One theory why it got connected to YT is that aliyah laregel was a time
for giving tzedaqah. And therefore that aspect of Yizkor recommended it
as a fitting way to continue the tie between the regalim and tzedaqah.
But I don't have a source, just the grapevine.

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             When you come to a place of darkness,
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