The Mishnah in Yoma says that when the Kohen Gadol mentioned Hash-m's Holy Name, all of those who heard it fell to the ground.
But the Gemara tells us in Berachos 12a that "Hash-m Zokef Kefufim", and therefore one ought to stand straight upon mentioning the Holy Name (after bowing before its mention).
Does anyone address this seeming contradiction?
Thank you and Gemar Chasimah Tovah,
Tzvi Goodman, Jerusalem, Israel
I have not found anyone who asks this question, although I am sure someone must ask it.
Rabeinu Yona in Berachos explains that we bow when we say Baruch, since this signifies our fear of Hash-m, and we straighten when we say Hash-m's name to signify that we are confident that Hash-m answers our Tefilos. Perhaps it is only fitting to show this confidence in Tefilah, but in Viduy where we come to repent for our sins it is more fitting for us to show our fear and subjugation, than to show our confidence that Hash-m will accept our Teshuvah.
I hope this helps you, and I will continue to look for someone who asks this question.
Dov Freedman
Another answer could be the following: The people who heard the Kohen Gadol fell to the ground - but certainly not the Kohen Gadol himself!
Hash-m Zokef Kefufim means that the one who mentions the Holy Name - or the person whom he is addressing - should stand tall - to show respect to Hash-m (as in Shoftim 3:20 and Sanhedrin 60a) and perhaps also to show Bitachon in Hash-m, as Rabeinu Yonah says. But when the Kohen Gadol addresses his Viduy to Hash-m, those who hear the Holy Name show their respect by bowing since they are not (figuratively) "bearing" the name of Hash-m but simply over hearing it.
Best wishes,
Mordecai Kornfeld