Praying in a Shul with a Stone Floor: Difference between revisions
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=Introduction= | ==Introduction== | ||
#According to the Torah, it is prohibited to bow down and prostrate oneself on a stone floor<ref>Vayikra 26:1, Sefer HaMitzvot Mitzvah 349, Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot- Mitzvot Lo Taaseh 12 </ref> (otherwise known as '''Even Maskit'''), with exception to the Beit HaMikdash where one was allowed prostrate himself on its floors<ref>Sifra 6:9 </ref>. Bowing down onto a stone floor outside of the Beit HaMikdash, even if not on a stone floor or in a fully prostrated position is prohbited M’Derabanan (Rabbinically) lest a person think that it is permitted to fully prostrate on the stone floor.<ref>Rosh on Berachot Perek 3:4, Kaf HaChaim Orach Chaim, 131:111</ref> | |||
#An additional reason for the current practice to not bow down during Tefillah on any floor surfaces . Originally, fully prostrating oneself was the a fixture of Shacharit as it was the way Nefilat Apai’im (Tachanun) was accomplished.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Tefilah 5:13-14 </ref> Fully prostrating oneself with the expectation of being answered was reserved to those of great righteous stature. This practice was abolished, even when not on a stone surface, so as not to degrade people who would prostrate themselves and ultimately not be answered<ref>Taanit 22b, see Rashi s.v. Elah Im Kein </ref>. | #An additional reason for the current practice to not bow down during Tefillah on any floor surfaces . Originally, fully prostrating oneself was the a fixture of Shacharit as it was the way Nefilat Apai’im (Tachanun) was accomplished.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Tefilah 5:13-14 </ref> Fully prostrating oneself with the expectation of being answered was reserved to those of great righteous stature. This practice was abolished, even when not on a stone surface, so as not to degrade people who would prostrate themselves and ultimately not be answered<ref>Taanit 22b, see Rashi s.v. Elah Im Kein </ref>. | ||
#In light of this, the custom for Nefilat Apa'aim is to tilt one’s head and rest it on his arm.<ref>Rambam Seder HaTefillah 9:5 in his interpretation of the words, “Abaye V’Rava k’Dnaflu al apai'ihu atzlu atlzuyei" (Taanit 22b)</ref> This is permitted even if one is resting his feet on a stone floor.<ref>Mishna Berurah, Orach Chaim 131:8 Siman Katan 41 </ref> | #In light of this, the custom for Nefilat Apa'aim is to tilt one’s head and rest it on his arm.<ref>Rambam Seder HaTefillah 9:5 in his interpretation of the words, “Abaye V’Rava k’Dnaflu al apai'ihu atzlu atlzuyei" (Taanit 22b)</ref> This is permitted even if one is resting his feet on a stone floor.<ref>Mishna Berurah, Orach Chaim 131:8 Siman Katan 41 </ref> | ||