[Avodah] Yizkor

[Rich, Joel]

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

-- 
Interesting- see Tzitz Eliezer 16:35 quoting sh"ut maharshag quoting mishnat chassidim that the Ari thought keil maaleh had no value to the meit. The tzitz eliezer then proceeds to reinterpret the ari as thinking it does have value but imho it's a real stretch.
KT
Joel Rich
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