Birkat Cohanim: Difference between revisions

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==Birkat Kohanim Poster==

==The Mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim nowadays==

# The Mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim is biblical (Deoritta) even nowadays, in all places at all times. <ref>Sefer HaChinuch (378), Shaar HaTzion 128:131*, Yalkut Yosef (Tefillah vol 2, pg 217), Shu"t Mishkenot Yaakov 66. </ref> It is based on the pasuk "דַּבֵּר אֶל-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל-בָּנָיו לֵאמֹר, כֹּה תְבָרְכוּ אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל:  אָמוֹר, לָהֶם" meaning "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you must bless the Israelites". <Ref>Bamidbar 6:23</ref>

# If the sheliach tzibur forgot to do birkat coahanim, and he started the blessing of "Sim Shalom", as long as he did not finish the blessing of "Sim Shalom", if he remembers he can go back. But if he finished the words "Hamevarech et amo yisrael basahalom"(the end of "Sim Shalom"), he can no longer go back. And even though there are those who say that you can do birkat cohanim after the prayers are finished, it is better not to do it. ([[Safek brachot lehakel]]- when we have a doubt about blessing we should be lenient, and not say the blessing)<Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 315</ref>

# Birkat Kohanim must be said loudly in Hebrew - so at least nine people (Lechatechilah, the entire Tzibbur<ref>Ohr Letzion vol. 2 Siman 4</ref>) can hear, while standing up with raised hands, all of which are necessary even Bediavad. Any Cohen who cannot fulfill these requirements may not go up to the Duchan. Accordingly, the '''Cohanim must raise their at shoulder height'''.<ref> Rambam Hilchot Tefillah 14:11, See Shu"t Noda BeYehudah vol. 1 Siman 5, Torah Temimah Parashat Naso ot 134, Mishnah Brurah 128:52, Piskei Teshuvot vol. 2, Siman 128, Footnote 174, Shu"t Yabia Omer vol. 8, O"C 13:2 brought down in Yalkut Yosef Tefillah vol. 2 128:50, and at length in Halacha Brurah 128:57, especially in footnote 127.</ref>

#According to the Shulchan Aruch,<ref> 128:12. See Yalkut Yosef Tefillah vol. 2 128:50, Piskei Teshuvot vol. 2, footnote 175, as well as his explanation on the top and the pictures in the back of the Sefer, Halachaq Brurah 128:45-48 and the Berur Halacha 41-42 for various explanations and illustrations of the different Minhagim regarding how to hold one's hands and fingers, including a Yishuv for the Lashon or the S"A and the Minhag HaArizal. For further understanding of the two Minhagei HaMekubalim, see Zohar Parashat Naso 121a, Siddur Ya'avetz Dinei Nesiat Kappayim Ot 24, Kitzur S"A 100:9, Ma'aseh Rav Ot 167, Ben Ish Chai Shana Aleph Parashat Tetzaveh and Halichot Olam ibid. (editor's note regarding the BI"H: he says he can't find the source in the Kitvei HaAri, but the other Acharonim mentioned before and after did), Kaf HaChaim 128:77 and 80, Shu"T Ohr LeTzion vol. 2, Hilchot Nesiat Kappayim 8:3, and, of course, the Halacha Brurah mentioned above.</ref> the outstretched arms must be held in a straight line (i.e. no bent elbows, fingers, etc.), the right hand should be a little bit higher than the left with spaces in between the middle and ring fingers so that the middle and index fingers are held together and the ring and pinky fingers are held together. The thumbs should be spread out, as well, and not touching. The fingers should all be held straight, parallel to the ground. If a Kohen can’t hold his fingers in this position, he should just spread them all out.<ref> Yalku Yosef Tefillah vol. 2, 128:50</ref>

#'''Even though there are various Minhagim regarding how to spread one’s fingers, everyone agrees the hands must be at shoulder height while saying the words! Therefore, one may not "shuckle" back and forth with his hands going up and down. Also, if a Cohen gets too tired, he may briefly rest his hands in between words, as long as he raises them up again before saying the next word.'''<ref>Mishnah Brurah 128:52, see earlier footnote about shoulder height.</ref>