Tachanun

Tachanun (Hebrew: תַחֲנוּן, romanized: Taḥănûn, lit. 'supplication'), also referred to as nefilat apayim (נְפִילַת אַפַּיִם, 'falling [on the] faces'), is a supplicatory and confessional component of Shacharit (שַחֲרִית, 'dawn') and Mincha (מִנְחָה, 'offering'), the morning and afternoon prayer services of Judaism, respectively. The recitation of Tachanun follows the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services. It is also recited at the end of the Selichot service. It is omitted on Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and many other celebratory occasions (e.g., in the presence of a groom in the week following his marriage). Most traditions recite a longer prayer on Mondays and Thursdays.