View source for Praying in a Shul with a Stone Floor

==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>.
#In light of this, the custom for Nefilat Apa'aim is to tilt one’s head and rest it on his arm.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Tefillah v'Birkat Kohanim 9:5 in his interpretation of the words, “Chazeina Abaye V’Rava d'matzlu atzluyei" (Brachot 34b)</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>

=On Which Surfaces Does the Issur Apply?=

#This issue does not apply to floors made of brick.<ref>Mishna Berurah, Orach Chaim 131:8 Siman Katan 42 </ref> Some are of the opinion that a marble floor would be halachically be considered like stone.<ref>Shu”t Shevet HaLevi 1:23</ref> Others posit that concrete also has this status as it is comprised of many small stones.<ref>Rav Elyashiv as cited in Piskei Teshuvot 131:27</ref>

=Practical Applications- The Yamim Noraim=

#Today, after the upheaval of prostration during davening, it is only done during Avoda of Mussaf Yom Kippur and, in the case of Ashkenazim, during Aleinu in Chazarat HaShat”z for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During these times, because of the above prohibition, one should be careful not to do so on a stone floor.
#If one is standing on a floor  stone, one should cover the area where his/her knees and face will make contact.<ref>Orach Chaim 131:8 </ref> This can be done with spreading one’s talit so that it will cover his face as he reaches the floor.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Orach Chaim 621 Seif 4:2, Mishna Berurah Orach Chaim 131:8 Siman Katan 40</ref>
#If no other alternative is possible, one should bow in a way that leans to his side and allows his head to fall onto his arm and not the floor.<ref>See Yalkut Yosef, Orach Chaim 621 Seif 4:2, footnote 2</ref>

=Sources=
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[[Category:Prayer]]