1) When saying the Bracha of "S’lach Lanu", the prevalent minhag is to [lightly] pound the heart with the fist of the right hand when saying the words "Chatanu" and "Pashanu".
It is brought in the Sefarim not to pound the heart on days when Tachanun is not recited. (MeKor Chaim and Siddur Ya’avetz in the name of the Shl"a)
2) During the Bracha of "Refa’enu" it is permissible to add prayers on behalf of Cholim, ill people, that they should have a Refuah Shelaima (speedy recovery).
It is proper to say "Refah Na L’Ploni Ben/Bas Plonis- [Hashem] heal so and so the son/daughter of so and so". (Incidentally, when davening for a Choleh the consensus of most Poskim is to always say their name ben/bas their mother’s name and not their father’s name)
One may not add a Tefilah during the Bracha of Refa’enu for the future, asking Hashem to keep him/her healthy, and prevent a sickness from befalling them; such requests may be added only during the Bracha of "Shma Koleinu" (Mishna Berura 119:1)
If this Tefilah is being recited in the presence of the ill person, it isn’t necessary to mention his/her name, rather just say "Keil Na Refah Na Lo/Lah- Hashem, please heal him/her now".
Also, if the Tefilah is being said in the presence of the Choleh, it may be said in any language (as the Shechina is present above the ill person’s head), whereas when davening not in front of the Choleh it must be said in Lashon Kodesh (Hebrew) (Shach, Yoreh Deah Siman 335:3)
Reader’s Question:
Please remember that "davening [Mincha] before shkia" as your reader mentioned [above in the question about davening in a car] is not the end with all or where with all. In fact, most poskim and most of the world permit davening mincha well after shkia (which i assume your reader meant to be the "sunset" mentioned in the New York Times as opposed to the halachich shkia which may or may not be the same)?
My Answer
True, although it is best to try and daven Mincha before the actual Shkiah, if in fact it is davened a little bit afterwards (depending on which Posek you ask, anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes afterwards, and according to some Chasidic Poskim, even later than that.) you are still ok.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
