|
Halachos of Tachanun Part 2
By Rabbi Yochanan Eskenazi
We discussed last week how careful one must be not to interrupt between davening Shemoneh Esrei and reciting tachanun (Shulchan Aruch 131:1). It is important to note, that only talking is prohibited, but walking around is not a problem (Mishneh Berurah 131:2). One is obligated to answer devarim shebikdushah (lit. holy phrases, e.g. Kaddish & Borchu) while reciting Tachanun (Mishneh Berurah 131:1). Therefore, if one is in the middle of tachanun he must answer amen to Kaddish. According to Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit"a, he should remain seated while answering (Sefer Ishei Yisroel 25: ftnt. 27). One is not required to stop to recite Aleinu or V'yehee Binsoa Ha'aron etc. together with the tzibbur (Sefer Ishei Yisroel 25:13 & ftnt. 47- 48 quoting Harav Chaim Kaneivsky, shlit"a).
As mentioned last week, this prayer was instituted as an imitation of the various positions Moshe Rabbeinu davened in. Although when Moshe "fell on his face" he was completely prostrated, we do not bow down completely, rather we lean our head downwards. It is important to note, one should not put his forehead directly onto his own skin, rather he should have some sort of separation [e.g. an article of clothing or tissue]. The reason for this is because one's face is supposed to be covered, and since one's head and arm are all part of one body, it is not considered as if he has covered his body (Mishneh Berurah 131:3). This halachah is especially relevant during the hot, summer months, for if one is wearing a short-sleeved shirt he should be conscious to have a separation.
There is a machlokes which arm to lean on. The Rama rules that during Shacharis it is proper to lean on the right hand, since it is not kavod (repectful) to lean on the Tefillin [which are on the left hand]. However, any time that one is not wearing Tefillin [e.g. Mincha] one should lean on his left hand (Rama 131:1). A left-handed person [who is wearing his Tefillin on his right hand], should lean on his left hand (Pri Megadim MZ 131:2). Furthermore, a left-handed person who is not wearing Tefillin should lean on his left hand (Sefer Itur Yad pg. 23 quoting Shu"T Be'ur Moshe 2:3).
There is a Machlokes Rishonim whether Tachanun needs to be said while sitting down or not. The Shulchan Aruch [131:2], based on Kabbalistic reasons, rules that one may only recite Tachanun while sitting. The Poskim say that generally we say Tachanun while sitting, however, in a pressing situation one may rely on the other opinions. For example, if the person standing behind you is still daveningShemoneh Esrei [and you are not permitted to sit down- see Shulchan Aruch 102:1] (Mishneh Berurah 131:10 & Aruch Hashulchan 131:5).
If someone is in a shul while the tzibbur is saying Tachanun, he is required to physically "fall down" although he does not need to say the actual text of Tachanun along with them. This would apply whether he personally is davening with them or not (Sefer Ishei Yisroel 25:12).
If one whose custom is to recite Tachanun at Mincha, is davening with a minyan that does not say Tachanun, he too should not say Tachanun (Sefer Ishei Yisroel 25: ftnt. 46 quoting Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt"l).
One should not say Tachanun at night (Shulchan Aruch 131:3). The Mishneh Berurah [131:17] explains this is referring to tzais hakochavim (nightfall), however, after shkeiyah (sunset), but before tzaitz, one may say Tachanun. As an aside, the minhagYerushalayim is that Tachanun is not recited after shekiyah (Tefillah K'hilchasa 18: ftnt. 64).
| 
