Can we say Tachanun without a minyan?
Answer:
Yes, even an individual recites the tachanun prayer, with the exception of the selichos part of tachanun (which is recited by Sefardim daily, and by some Ashkenazim on Mondays and Thursdays). However, one does not “fall on one’s face” when davening in the absence of a sefer Torah.
Sources: See Shulchan Aruch and Rema 131, and Mishnah Berurah 131:11-15.
Many contemporary poskim hold that in Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh one always says Tachanun with nefillas apayim – since Yerushalayim is a “makom kadosh and meyuchad l’tfillah” one does not require a Sefer Torah. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (ishei yisroel ch.25, footnote 39, valeihu lo yibol vol 1 pgs -96, 298, 348) held that this only applies to the Old City, but many others – including Igros Moshe(O.c. vol 3.129,2) , Bais Baruch (32, 170), Mminhagei E”Y (Tukachinsky),and Teshuvos VeHanhagos (vol. 2,79; vol 4, 41) don’t make that distinction and hold that the hetter refers to the whole of Yerushalayim.
kol tuv
Y. Spitz
Rosh Chabura Ohr Lagola Halacha Kollel
Yerushalayim
Thank you for making this important point.
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