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Birkat Cohanim: Difference between revisions
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# The Mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim is biblical (Deoritta) even nowadays, in all places at all times. <ref>Sefer HaChinuch (378), Shaar HaTziyun 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> | # The Mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim is biblical (Deoritta) even nowadays, in all places at all times. <ref>Sefer HaChinuch (378), Shaar HaTziyun 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> | ||
# The Mitzvah isn’t strictly obligatory, but rather a Mitzvah which is an opportunity to fulfill a positive command, similar to [[Tzitzit]]. <Ref>Dvar Avraham 1:31 </ref> | # The Mitzvah isn’t strictly obligatory, but rather a Mitzvah which is an opportunity to fulfill a positive command, similar to [[Tzitzit]]. <Ref>Dvar Avraham 1:31 </ref> | ||
# The Ashkenazic minhag outside Israel is not to do Birkat Cohanim except at [[Mussaf]] of [[Yom Tov]] because Birkat Cohanim should be done when people are relaxed and not bothered by work. <Ref>Rama 128:44 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag outside Israel is not to do Birkat Cohanim except at [[Mussaf]] of [[Yom Tov]] because Birkat Cohanim should be done when people are relaxed and not bothered by work. Kitzur S"A 100:1 agrees. For other reasons to explain the Ashkenazi minhag see Bet Yosef 128 quoting the Sefer Chasidim, Sh”t Zera Emet 3:13, and Sh”t Bet Efraim 6 </ref> Throughout Jewish history, some have made a great effort to change this minhag (in order to fulfill this biblical Mitzvah) and were unsuccessful. <Ref>Aruch HaShulchan 128:64 </ref> | # The Ashkenazic minhag outside [[Israel]] is not to do Birkat Cohanim except at [[Mussaf]] of [[Yom Tov]] because Birkat Cohanim should be done when people are relaxed and not bothered by work. <Ref>Rama 128:44 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag outside [[Israel]] is not to do Birkat Cohanim except at [[Mussaf]] of [[Yom Tov]] because Birkat Cohanim should be done when people are relaxed and not bothered by work. Kitzur S"A 100:1 agrees. For other reasons to explain the Ashkenazi minhag see Bet Yosef 128 quoting the Sefer Chasidim, Sh”t Zera Emet 3:13, and Sh”t Bet Efraim 6 </ref> Throughout Jewish history, some have made a great effort to change this minhag (in order to fulfill this biblical Mitzvah) and were unsuccessful. <Ref>Aruch HaShulchan 128:64 </ref> | ||
# Some have the practice not do Birkat Cohanim when [[Yom Tov]] falls out on [[Shabbat]], however, the poskim strongly disapprove of this and urge to discontinue this practice without causing conflict. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 128:165, Sh”t Igrot Moshe 3:18, 5:15. See also Kitzur S"A 100:1 who quotes the minhag not to say Birkat Cohanim when [[Yom Tov]] falls out on [[Shabbat]], but says the minhag to say it on [[Yom Tov]] even when it falls out on [[Shabbat]] is the more proper minhag. </ref> | # Some have the practice not do Birkat Cohanim when [[Yom Tov]] falls out on [[Shabbat]], however, the poskim strongly disapprove of this and urge to discontinue this practice without causing conflict. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 128:165, Sh”t Igrot Moshe 3:18, 5:15. See also Kitzur S"A 100:1 who quotes the minhag not to say Birkat Cohanim when [[Yom Tov]] falls out on [[Shabbat]], but says the minhag to say it on [[Yom Tov]] even when it falls out on [[Shabbat]] is the more proper minhag. </ref> | ||
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[[Image:CohanimCorrect.png|200px|right]] | [[Image:CohanimCorrect.png|200px|right]] | ||
[[Image:CohanimIncorrect.png|200px|right]] | [[Image:CohanimIncorrect.png|200px|right]] | ||
#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 | #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 Parashat Tetzaveh. (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>Mishna Brurah 128:52, see earlier footnote about shoulder height.</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>Mishna Brurah 128:52, see earlier footnote about shoulder height.</ref> | ||
#The Cohanim should have in mind to fulfill the Mitzvat Aseh Min HaTorah (Positive Torah commandment) of blessing Am Yisrael. | #The Cohanim should have in mind to fulfill the Mitzvat Aseh Min HaTorah (Positive Torah commandment) of blessing Am Yisrael. | ||
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# A Cohen is forbidden marry a divorcee or a convert. If he does, his child has the title of a "Challal", and this child may not do Birkat Cohanim. Him and all his descendents are "Challalim" and may not do Birkat Cohanim (because they are not considered Cohanim).<ref>Yalkut Yosef, [[Tefillah]] Volume 1, page 322 Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 5</ref> | # A Cohen is forbidden marry a divorcee or a convert. If he does, his child has the title of a "Challal", and this child may not do Birkat Cohanim. Him and all his descendents are "Challalim" and may not do Birkat Cohanim (because they are not considered Cohanim).<ref>Yalkut Yosef, [[Tefillah]] Volume 1, page 322 Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 5</ref> | ||
# A sick person who is attatched to a catheter, which holds his urine under his clothing, may do Birkat Cohanim as long as his outer clothes are clean, and there is no bad smell coming out of him. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, [[Tefillah]] Volume 1, page 319</ref> | # A sick person who is attatched to a catheter, which holds his urine under his clothing, may do Birkat Cohanim as long as his outer clothes are clean, and there is no bad smell coming out of him. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, [[Tefillah]] Volume 1, page 319</ref> | ||
# A Cohen who killed someone intentionally or unintentionally may not perform Birkat Cohanim. According to Ashkenazim, if the Cohen killed someone unintentionally and did Teshuva, he may perform Birkat Cohanim.<ref>Kitzur S"A 100:21</ref> | # A Cohen who killed someone intentionally or unintentionally may not perform Birkat Cohanim. According to Ashkenazim, if the Cohen killed someone unintentionally and did [[Teshuva]], he may perform Birkat Cohanim.<ref>Kitzur S"A 100:21</ref> | ||
# If the tzibur hates a cohen or the cohen hates the tzibur, it is prohibited for that cohen to do birkat cohanim. <ref> Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 117 </ref> | # If the tzibur hates a cohen or the cohen hates the tzibur, it is prohibited for that cohen to do birkat cohanim. <ref> Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 117 </ref> | ||
===Cohanim washing their hands before Birkat Cohanim=== | ===Cohanim washing their hands before Birkat Cohanim=== | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Prayer]] | |||
