Tachanun

Tachanun, Hebrew תַּחֲנּוּן, meaning supplication or petition, refers to a sequence of penitential prayers in the Jewish liturgy. The practice expresses humility before God and a plea for mercy, often incorporating brief confessional passages and personal supplications.

The form and wording of Tachanun vary by tradition, but it is generally recited on weekdays as part of the Shacharit and Mincha services in many communities. It is typically not recited on Shabbat, on most Jewish festivals, and on other festive days. In some customs, it is also omitted on days of special joy or certain other occasions, reflecting the calendar and local practice.

There are notable differences among communities in how Tachanun is observed. Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Yemenite rites each have distinct formulations and cadences, ranging from longer, more elaborate versions to shorter or more concise ones. The content may include avourot (confessions), supplicatory phrases, and verses drawn from the Psalms, with variations in when and how these elements are recited.

Historically, Tachanun developed in the medieval rabbinic period and became a regular component of weekday prayer for many communities, with numerous local customs shaping its exact practice. Today it remains a common feature of weekday services in many places, while being adapted or omitted according to calendar, communal custom, and personal observance.

Overall, Tachanun serves as a liturgical marker of humility and supplication within the Jewish prayer framework, illustrating how communities tailor penitential elements to their calendar and tradition.