By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

It seems that some people are of the opinion that when it is a day that Tachanun is not recited then one does not klap the heart in the Slach Lanu bracha in Shmoneh Esreh.

Where does this come from, and what is the halacha on this?

There are some printed editions of the Yaavetz’s siddur which bring this opinion in the name of the SHla HaKadosh.  However, it should be noted that it is not found in any of the original printings of Rav Yaakov Emden, and seems to have been added later.  Nor do we find this in any of the SHla’s writings.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal (Meir Oz Vol. IV p. 587), a sefer this author has found to be very reliable, cites a ruling from Rav Chaim Kanievsky that klapping is a minhag in Klal Yisrroel and one should not distinguish between days that Tachanun is recited or not recited – one should klap regardless.  This is also the position of Rav Shlomo Zalman Ulman (Teshuvos p.6)

In Halichos Shlomo about Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l’s hanhagos, however, it is stated that he, in fact, did not klap when tachanun was not recited. It could be, however, that he based himself on the latter-printed Siddur HaYaavetz. 

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita in Vavei HaAmudim #47 notes that the vast majority of Klal Yisroel do not distinguish such and Klap.  This author suggests that the notion of Pok Chazi mai amah davar – go out and see how the world conducts itself has significance here and thus the klapping should continue.  By the same token, the world does not make a haAitz on chocolate, and the other view is generally followed. Each person should consult with their own Rav or Posaik.

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