Q. We mention always we are going to “say Selichos,” in Hebrew we say “omrim Selichos,” or “zogg’n Selichos” in Yidish. Should not the correct expression be “ask Selichos or lebakesh or betn?” After all, we are imploring and beseeching Hashem to forgive us, not just telling Him to do so? Don’t we ussually refer to Tefila, as davening or praying?
A. There could be an allusion to be forgiving to others and saying to them I forgive you, before we ask Hashem to absolve us.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that we are addressing the act itself and not the way or form we should apply to it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a