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About eight years ago, a ben Torah, whom I admire greatly, mentioned to me that he never says Tachanun. When I asked him why, he candidly responded that it is a very sanctified and “scary” tefilah, and since he has no kavanah, he is afraid of being punished severely. In fact, the Magen Avraham (siman 131 s”k 5) quotes the Zohar HaKadosh who writes that the punishment is very severe for one who does not have kavanah when reciting Tachanun. My guess is that he had learned this Zohar and therefore refrained from ever saying Tachanun. (Note: I am not qualified to pasken halachic questions, though I believe this action was not correct. Anyone who would ever consider this idea must ask his rav.)

Yagati b’anchasi as’cheh b’chol lailah mitasi, b’dim’asi arsi amseh.

I am worn out by my sighing (about my illness); every night I cause my bed to float from crying, with my tears I melt my couch.

In last week’s segment, we briefly discussed the importance and power of “N’filas Apayim” (falling on our face), better known to us as Tachanun.

We are now in a special time period, often referred to as “The Three Weeks.” Most of us are familiar with at least the basic halachos of this time period, as well as “The Nine Days” period, which is relevant to the last nine days, beginning on Rosh Chodesh Av. While we certainly must observe the halachos, we should strive to maximize the many growth opportunities available in both our relationship with Hashem and our relationships with our brothers and sisters in klal Yisrael. This is a time to foster baseless love of each other, to atone for the baseless hatred that was one of the causes of destruction.

Ki ein ba’maves zichrecha, bish’ol mi yodeh lach

(Besides, what would be gained by my death) for I will not mention You in death, (and) in the grave who can thank You (but if You heal me, I will thank You). [T’hilim 6:6]

We are just beginning the Nine Days period prior to Tish’ah B’Av. May we see the salvation before this Tish’ah B’Av.

This is the second of three parts of this year’s Three Weeks series. Next week’s third part will repeat Shemoneh Esrei 45 and 46, and will include a special Tish’ah B’Av segment.