In the recent thread "Nefilas Apaim in Yerushalayim", we have been 
presuming that the term "Nefilas Apayim" refers to the posture in 
which one says Tachanun. However, in some places it refers to the 
saying of Tachanun without regard to posture.

It seems to be a rather ambiguous term. For example, if one reads the 
Mechaber in Siman 131, there are a couple of places where it clearly 
refers to posture, but other places which are not clear at all.

One could read seifim 3, 4, and 6 to say that at night, or in a beis 
avel, or on Rosh Chodesh, Tachanun is said without putting one's head 
down. I know that is not the case, but I only know it from 
experience, not from the Mechaber's words. (Couldthere be some 
communities which actually do that?)

I had hoped to find some clue in the precise wording used, but I have 
not seen any pattern. Whether as a verb or noun, whether as singular 
or plural, it can go either way. Below I have charted the phrases 
used, and what they mean, in each seif:

MECHABER
1 - nefilas apayim - tachanun
1 - nofel al panav - posture
2 - nefilas apayim - posture
3 - nefilas apayim - tachanun
3 - liypol al panav - tachanun
4 - liypol al panav - tachanun
5 - noflin al pneihem - tachanun
6 - liypol al pneihem - tachanun
6 - noflin al pneihem - tachanun
7 - liypol al pneihem - tachanun
8 - liypol al panav - posture

Summary: The mechaber uses "nefilas apayim" for tachanun in 1 and 3, 
but for posture in 2. And he uses "liypol al panav" for tachanun in 3 
and 4, but for posture in 8.

It might be worth noting that this ambiguity is more noticable in the 
Mechaber, who never uses the word "Tachanun", but it also appears in 
the Rama. Since the Rama does use the words Tachanun (or Techina), 
his use of Nefila *tends* to refer to the posture, but not always.

RAMA
1 - nafal al panav - posture
2 - nefilas apayim - posture (twice)
6 - noflin - tachanun (twice)
8 - liypol al panav - posture
8 - noflin al pneihem - posture

Has anyone else noticed this problem, or noticed a pattern which I've 
missed? Or am I wrong in my interpretations?

Akiva Miller