Question:
Why do I see some men pounding their chest during the amida? Is there a source for this practice?
Answer:
Hello,
This seems the be the custom, to hit one’s chest softly when saying “slach l’nu” (as a form of motioning, that it was my heart that caused me to do this) similar to what we do when saying viduy on Yom Kippur, and when saying viduy before tachanun. This custom is mentioned, in Mekor Chaim O:CH 115, in the name of a Midrash, and is also written in Siddur of R’ Yackov Emden in the name of the Shela Hakadosh.
Best wishes
