Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
Why do we place our heads on our arms during the Tachanun prayer recited after Shemoneh Etrei (silent prayer), as if we were going to sleep?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
What Is Tachanun?
This practice, known as nefilat apayim, “falling on one’s face,” is rooted in the Torah.
During Korach’s rebellion, the Torah (Bamidbar 16:22) tells us that Moshe and Aharon “fell on their faces,” falling to the ground and prostrating themselves in prayer to seek mercy when Hashem (God) threatened to destroy the sinners. Indeed, in the Bait Hamikdash (temble), prostrating oneself before Hashem was a central part of the avodah. Today, this powerful gesture is reserved for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when we crown Hashem as King and beseech Him for forgiveness. However, we continue to perform a “mini-prostration” by placing our heads on our arms during Tachanun.
3 Ideas Behind Tachanun
Rabbeinu Bachya there explains that there are three ideas behind this act of falling on one’s face in prayer.
1: Awe
The first is an expression of awe and humility before Hashem. Recognizing that during davening we are standing in Hashem’s presence, we hide our faces, feeling unworthy to face Him. This is similar to Moshe who, upon seeing the burning bush, “hid his face because he was afraid to gaze at G-d” (Shemos 3:6).
2: Submission
The second is an expression of submission to Hashem borne out of immense distress, which is a crucial part of the teshuvah (repentance) process. When Hashem sees our sincere repentance, He is more likely to accept our prayers and show us mercy.
3: Nullification
Finally, by falling on our faces and covering our eyes and mouths, we are effectively nullifying all of our senses. This act represents a state of total surrender, as we proclaim that we do not perceive good or bad, success or failure, except as defined by Hashem. We resolve not to lift a finger or speak a word unless it aligns with the will of Hashem.
Our Daily Prayer
Although we no longer fully prostrate ourselves in our daily tefillah (prayers), this powerful act is still maintained through a mini-prostration during Tachanun. After davening Shemoneh Esrei, we have hopefully attained a higher spiritual level, and as a result become even more aware of our shortcomings and responsibilities. We therefore turn to Hashem once again, asking for forgiveness and mercy. During this prayer of teshuvah, we fall on our faces to instill within us feelings of awe, humility, and submission. These emotions elevate our prayer, making it more likely to be accepted by Hashem.
Covering our faces during Tachanun is not the only way we express submission; the theme of submission is woven throughout our avodat Hashem (serving God) in various forms. Standing with our feet together during the Shemoneh Esrei symbolizes our feet being bound, as if we are chained, unable to move without Hashem’s Will. Bowing during davening (prayer) is a physical act of submission, as we lower ourselves before Hashem. This same idea lies at the heart of fasting. By abstaining from food for an entire day, we show our subservience to Hashem by suppressing our natural urges.
In short: Covering our faces during Tachanun is a form of mini-prostration, a powerful method of prayer that evokes awe, humility, and submission. These emotions enhance our prayer, making it more likely to be accepted.
Written by Rabbi Aaron Shapiro
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