Birkat Cohanim: Difference between revisions

# Even though they already did [[Netilat Yadayim]] that morning, during the Chazara, the Cohanim must wash their hands all the way to their wrists, except in extenuating circumstances (i.e. if they would have to pass in front of someone praying Amidah <Ref>Yalkut Yosef [[Tefillah]] Volume 2, Siman 128, Seif 25</Ref>), when they may rely on the original Netilah if they had washed their hands up to their wrists and kept them clean since.<ref>S"A 128:6, Mishna Brurah 128:19</ref> On [[Yom Kippur]] and Tisha B’Av, however, one cannot rely on the minimal morning washing of the fingers alone and must wash his hands to the wrists.<ref>Chazon Ovadia: Yamim Noraim page 312</ref>

# The Cohanim who are going to say Birkat Cohanim must remove their shoes, whether or not they are leather. <Ref> Gemara Sotah 40a writes that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai instituted that the Cohanim should not go up wearing sandals or any type of shoe for two reasons: 1) out of respect to the congregation not to go before them with dirty shoes and 2) so that a Cohen doesn't have to tie his shoes during Birkat Cohanim and then appear as if he's a Pasul Cohen. This halacha is codified in Rambam 14:6 and S"A 128:5. Chida in Machzik Bracha 128:7 writes that this halacha applies even to non-leather shoes. Kaf HaChaim 128:28 and Halacha Brurah 128:16 agree. </ref>However, those communities in Chutz LeAretz who have a minhag not to remove their shoes if they say Birkat Cohanim from the floor without going up on the duchan have what to rely on.<ref>Yafeh Lelev 128:29 is lenient for Cohanim to wear shoes if they don't go up on the duchan. Although Kaf HaChaim 128:107 disagrees, Halacha Brurah 128:17 says that there's what to rely upon. Yachava Daat 2:13 writes that one who finds it hard not to take off their shoes may rely on the Yafeh Lelev so as not to lose this mitzvah entirely, however, those who want to fulfill mitzvot in the best way should remove their shoes. </ref>

# By the time the Sheliach Tzibur arrives at the blessing of "Retzeh", the Cohanim must make a motion ("Akirat Raglayim") towards doing the Duchan. If the Sheliach Tzibur finished the blessing of "Retzeh", and said the word "Modim" before a cohen made this motion, that cohen may not go up to do Birkat cohanim. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef, [[Tefillah]] Volume 1, page 299, Rambam Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim 15:11 based on the gemara in Sota 38b. </ref> Bediavad, in extenuating circumstances, if he moved towards the sink and not towards the Duchan at that time, it’s also ok; however, if he did not move at all after the Chazzan started Modim, he may not participate and must leave the room.<ref>Ben Ish Chai, Year 1, Parashat Tetzaveh, Halacha 9; See further Mishna Brurah 128:28 and Sha'ar HaTziyun Ot 30</ref>