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El Erech Appayim
Ashkenaz · Weekday · Shacharit · Torah Reading · Removing the Torah from Ark · El Erech Appayim
- Nusach
- Ashkenaz
- Edition
- Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981
El Erech Appayim
The following paragraph is said on Mondays and Thursdays except on Rosh Chodesh, the eve of Pesach, Tishah b’Av, Chanukah, the 14th and 15th Adar and Adar Sheni (Purim and Purim Katan), the eve of Yom Kippur, and it is also omitted in the house of a mourner. This prayer is recited while standing, as it includes a form of viduy (confession) which must be said while standing. On Mondays and Thursdays, as we are about to open the Ark to take out the Seifer Torah for public reading, we realize that we have transgressed much that is written in the Torah and are unworthy even to take it into our hands. Aware of our inadequacy and unworthiness, we utter the words, “Almighty who is slow to anger etc....”, appealing to Him for forgiveness.
Almighty who is slow to anger and of great kindness and truth, do not rebuke us in Your anger. Adonoy, spare Your people and deliver us from all evil. We have sinned against You, Master, forgive us, please, in keeping with Your abundant mercy, Almighty.
This verse from Joel (2:17) was inserted here by the sages of Italy as an abbreviated form of Tachanun to be recited by latecomers to the synagogue, instead of the entire “Vehu Rachum”, so that they could pay attention to the reading of the Torah.
Where it comes in the siddur
- Comes after: Half Kaddish
- Followed by: Vayehi Binsoa
- Part 1 of 6 in Removing the Torah from Ark
- The same text in Hebrew: אל ארך אפים
Texts and sources
Every prayer text in Amidora comes from openly licensed editions published on Sefaria. Only editions released under CC-BY, CC0 or the public domain are included.
- Metsudah Siddur, Avrohom Davis, 1981 — CC-BY, via Sefaria
- Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981 · CC-BY
- https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002211687