[Avodah] Tachanun in Yerushalayim

[Prof. Levine]

 From http://tinyurl.com/lueq3c6


Visitors to Yeshivas Ohr Somayach's famous beginner 4:00 P.M. daily 
Mincha (You are also welcome to join) are wont to comment on the fact 
that everyone says Tachanun with nefillas apayim, the placing down of 
the head on an arm, even though the beis medrash where this tefilla 
is held, the Lauffer Beis Medrash, does not have a Sefer Torah or 
even an Aron Kodesh.

The reason they find this behavior odd is because the Rema[1], 
quoting the Rokeach, rules that if there is no Sefer Torah in a shul, 
Tachanun should still be said, but without nefillas apayim[2]. This 
is traced back to a Biblical source, that "falling down" in prayer is 
reserved for when an Aron is present[3]. Although some disagree[4], 
this remains common practice. If so, the visitors ask, why would Ohr 
Somayach not follow such a widespread custom?

The answer is: Yerushalayim. Yes, Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh. Ohr 
Somayach is privileged and blessed to be located in the Holy City of 
Jerusalem. As such, it maintains special dispensation for certain 
tefillos, one of them is Tachanun. In the words of Rav Moshe 
Feinstein[5], "Yerushalayim contains intrinsic holiness and is 
designated for prayer, and therefore even without a Sefer Torah one 
should do nefillas apayim, as it is comparable to a place that has a 
Sefer Torah!!"

See the above URL for more.  YL
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