ויפלו על פניהם (Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces (Bemidbar 16,22))
After G-d stated that he intended to punish the congregation at the incident of Korach, Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces to pray on behalf of the congregation. From here we have the source for “falling on our faces” נפילת אפים during prayers (also called Tachanun).
According to Rabbenu Bachaye this action of “falling on our faces” has three intentions:
- The first intention is to bring upon ourselves the “Fear of Heaven”.
- The second intention is to display pain and humbleness.
- The third intention is to display binding of our intentions and nullification of our feelings to HaShem.
“Fear of Heaven”
The covering of the face while “falling on the face” is a method of humility and recognition of shame. During this portion of the prayers one encounters the Divine Presence opposite oneself. Therefore, the Chachamim established covering of the face as if in the presence of HaShem (as Moshe covered his face at the burning bush). The words נפילת אפים allude to the description of holy angels called Chayos that covered their faces due to the exposure of the brightness of HaShem.
Display pain and humbleness
The “falling on the face” indicates one’s recognition of pain and deceit as a result of one’s brazenness (display of standing upright). Falling down indicates one’s subjection to the power of Teshuvah. This time of prayer explains the pain of Teshuvah and the seeking of forgiveness from HaShem.
Display binding of intentions and nullification of feelings to HaShem
Upon falling down one’s eyes are covered and one’s mouth is closed. In such a state of nullification one is not aware of self or the damages from past actions. It is as if one can not act without the agreement from HaShem. One’s heart is at the same level as one’s feet in prayer and one does not have personal desires.
(The nations of the world arrange their attention by inclining their hands in supplication. This is not understandable. They wish to show their nullification of their power to the real power in the world. However, they do not understand that the legs are the major source of a person’s activities. Therefore, the Jewish custom is to arrange our legs but not our hands.)
(Bava Metzia 59b) R. Eliezer's wife was R. Gamliel's sister. After the episode of the excommunication of R. Eliezer, she would not allow R. Eliezer to fall on his face (to say Tachanun, lest Hashem avenge R. Eliezer's pain; Aruch haShulchan cites this as proof of the special effect of this prayer).
One day, she did not stop him (she erred about which day was Rosh Chodesh, on which Tachanun is not said; some say that she went to give bread to a poor person at the door). She then found her husband on his face.
His wife: Get up! You killed my brother. (They then heard the announcement of his death.)
R. Eliezer: How did you know?
His wife: I have a tradition from my father's house (from Dovid) that all the gates were locked, except for gates to a wronged person. (A wronged person is often moved to tears; thus R. Eliezer’s emotional prayers especially at this place in the prayers spelled certain doom for her brother, R. Gamliel, who had offended R. Eliezer)
