 During Selichos, whether those revolving around the Yomim Nora’im (Days of Awe) or on fast days, before the Yud Gimmel Midos Rachamim (the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy)
are said they are preceded by a paragraph that either starts with “Keil Melech Yosheiv” or with “Keil Erech Apayim.” The first time is always preceded by “Keil Erech Apayim.” Every one after that starts off with “Keil Melech Yosheiv.” The question is twofold. Why isn’t either one good enough for all and also why is “Erech Apayim” always first and “Melech Yosheiv” afterwards.
The Throne of Mercy
I once heard an interesting answer. “Keil Melech yosheiv al kisei rachamim” means “Hashem the King Who sits on the throne of mercy. We can’t start the day, so to speak, with that statement because not always does Hashem sit on the throne of mercy. Sometimes He sits on the throne of din (judgment). However, even then He is still Erech Apayim (slow to anger). We, therefore, start with that appellation which then leads us into the Yud Gimmel Midos Rachamim. We have a tradition that when Yisroel (you need a minyan to say it) says the Yud Gimmel Midos they are never returned empty-handed. Therefore, thereafter, Hashem, indeed, sits on the throne of Rachamim. We then only say “Keil Melech Yosheiv.”
Yom Kippur
The “proof” of all this is that on Yom Kippur when we say Selichos at night by Maariv and again by Neilah, we don’t say “Keil Erech Apayim” at all. The reason being that since the whole day is one of rachamim, the throne of Hashem is definitely rachamim all day.
A Discrepancy
It’s a beautiful vort (Torah thought) which rings true. But there is a discrepancy which needs to be clarified. On Yom Kippur Koton
all the Selichos from beginning and on all start with “Keil Melech Yosheiv” except for the very last one which is “Keil Erech Apayim.” The question again is twofold. How can we start out with reciting “Keil Melech Yosheiv”? Also, according to the reason given previously “Keil Erech Apayim” is only said to allow us to say “Keil Melech Yosheiv” afterwards. If so, why here is it said at the end?
A Kesivah V’Chasimah Tovah
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