Responsa for Berakhot 68:3
ת"ר קידה על אפים שנאמר (מלכים א א, לא) ותקד בת שבע אפים ארץ כריעה על ברכים שנאמר מכרוע על ברכיו השתחואה זו פשוט ידים ורגלים שנאמר (בראשית לז, י) הבא נבא אני ואמך ואחיך להשתחות לך ארצה
Our Rabbis have taught : "Bowing" means upon the face ; as it is said, "Then Bath Sheba bowed with her face to the earth" (ibid. i. 31)."Bending" means upon the knees; as it is said, "From kneeling on his knees" (ibid. viii. 54). "Prostrating" means spreading out the hands and legs ; as it is said, "Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to prostrate ourselves to thee to the earth?" (Gen. xxxvii. 10).
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. I placed a carpet on the stone floor in front of the ark of our synagogue, for, whenever the cantor would fall on his face in prayer, it would appear as if he were bowing (in adoration) to the stones. Was my act justified?
A. You have done a meritorious act. For bowing on a stone floor even without extending the arms and legs, is forbidden by Rabbinic enactment. Although many venerable men are very careful and turn sideways instead of prostrating themselves (cf. Ber. 34b), yet many ignorant cantors actually fall on their faces in prayer. If it will be within my power, I shall abolish this practice. I shall proceed cautiously, however, in order not to create undue disturbance.
SOURCES: Am I, 94; cf. Mord. Meg. 807.
A. You have done a meritorious act. For bowing on a stone floor even without extending the arms and legs, is forbidden by Rabbinic enactment. Although many venerable men are very careful and turn sideways instead of prostrating themselves (cf. Ber. 34b), yet many ignorant cantors actually fall on their faces in prayer. If it will be within my power, I shall abolish this practice. I shall proceed cautiously, however, in order not to create undue disturbance.
SOURCES: Am I, 94; cf. Mord. Meg. 807.
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