Birkat Cohanim: Difference between revisions

# 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>

# Birkat Cohanim is only said if there is a [[minyan]] and the [[minyan]] includes the Cohanim. <ref>S"A 128:1, Kitzur S"A 100:2, Mishna Brurah 128:2</ref>

# 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, Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 117</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, Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 117, 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>

# When the Cohanim put back on their shoes, they shouldn't touch their shoes. If they touch their shoes, they have to wash [[Netilat Yadayim]].<ref>Kitzur S"A 100:16</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, Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 117, 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>

# A Cohen who refuses to go up to the Duchan without a valid reason is in violation  of one positive commandment from the Torah, though it’s equivalent to three.<ref>S"A 128:2</ref>

#While on the Duchan, the Kohanim should say the “Yehi Ratzon” [[prayer]] printed in the Siddur and complete it with one of the Chazzan’s [[Berachot]], so the Tzibbur essentially answers [[Amen]] to them, as well.<ref> S"A 128:13 and Mishna Brurah there</ref>

#The Cohanim should stand there, facing the heichal, with their backs to the congregation. They hold their fingers closed, against their palms, until the sheliach tzibur completes the blessing of "hatov shimcha". When the shaliach tzibbur calls to them "Cohanim!", they turn their faces to the people, spread out their fingers, and lift up their hands to shoulder height.<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 3, S"A 128:10</ref> The Minhag is that they raise their hands already before they start the Beracha.<ref>Halacha Brurah 128:14</ref>

#All turns in Halacha are made to the right, and Birkat Kohanim is no exception. The Kohanim must turn clockwise while saying the Beracha so that they should finish saying "BeAhavah" while facing the Tzibbur.<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 13; Yalkut Yosef [[Tefillah]] Volume 2, 128:49</ref> They again turn clockwise after the Chazzan starts Sim Shalom.<ref>S"A 128:17</ref>

#If only one Cohen is blessing the people, he should turn around after the shaliach tzibbur finishes the bracha of "hatov shimcha" and begin reciting the blessing alone. Afterwards, the sheliach tzibur says the words of Birkat cohanim one word at a time and Cohen repeats each word after the shaliach tzibbur, as explained below.<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 8, S"A 128:10</ref>

#If there are two or more Cohanim present, they do not begin reciting the blessing until the sheliach tzibur calls them, saying the word “Cohanim”. <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 8, S"A 128:10</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 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>

#The Cohanim must be vigilant to stay in sync, to say each word together in unison, starting each word after the Chazzan finishes saying it and not elongating the words more than the other Kohanim.<ref>S"A 128:18</ref>

#While saying the words ending in a Chaf Sofit (Yevarechecha, VeYishmerecha, Eilecha, Viyichuneka, Eilecha, and Lecha) and “Shalom,” the Cohanim turn to their left and right to spread out the Beracha to the people on their sides.<ref>S"A 128:45, Mishna Brurah 168</ref>

# The cohanim should be careful not to continue the next blessing until the congregants have finished saying "[[Amen]]".<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Bikcat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 5, S"A 128:13</ref>

# At the end of Birkat Cohanim, the Cohanim should not turn back around (so that their backs are facing the congregation), nor should they put their hands down and close their fingers, until the sheliach tzibur begins the beracha of "Sim Shalom". <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 6, S"A 128:16</ref>

# The cohanim should not return to their places until the shaliach tzibbur finishes "sim shalom" and some say until the congregation finishes [[answering Amen]].<Ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 4, S"A 128:16</ref>

# The Sheliach Tzibur should say the words of Birkat cohanim one word at a time and the cohen should repeat each word after the shaliach tzibbur. <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 3, S"A 128:13 </ref>  

# The sheliach tzibur should not answer "[[Amen]]" to the [[blessings]] of the Cohanim, like the rest of the congregation, for perhaps he will get confused about which beracha he is up to. <ref>Rambam (Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim 14:5), S"A 128:19</ref>However, if the Shaliach Tzibbur is praying from a Siddur and is confident that he won't get confused which bracha he is up to, he may answer [[Amen]] after the bracha's of the Cohanim. <ref>Mishna Brurah 128:71, Kitzur S"A 100:12</ref>However, some Sephardim hold that the Sheliach Tzibbur shouldn't answer [[amen]] even if he's using a Siddur.<ref>Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, [[Tefillah]] vol 2, pp. 360-2), Kitzur S"A of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano volume 1 page 118</ref>

# In regards to the Brachat HaMitzvah the Cohanim make prior to Birkat Cohanim, some say that certainly the Shaliach Tzibbur should not answer [[amen]].<ref>Mishna Brurah 128:71 quotes some who are strict not to let the Shaliach Tzibbur answer [[Amen]] to the birchat hamitzvah made by the cohanim because it would be an interruption to the [[tefillah]]. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur S"A 100:14) agrees with that opinion. </ref>

# One shouldn’t look at the hands of the Cohanim during Birkat Cohanim but rather one should face downward <Ref>S”A 128:23 </ref> or cover one’s face with a [[talit]]. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 128:92, [[Tefillah]] KeHilchata 14:49 </ref> However, nowadays that the Cohanim wear the [[Talit]] over their hands one may look at the Cohanim. <Ref>Siach [[Tefillah]] (Shaar 5, 1:2) writes that nowadays that the Cohanim wear the [[Talit]] over their hands one may look at the Cohanim. [See also Rav Herschel Schacter’s opinion at yu.edu.] [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/753466/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shavuot_%E2%80%93_Birkat_Cohanim Rabbi Hershel Schachter in a shiur on Birchat Cohanim] (min 33-5) explains that if the Cohanim cover their hands with a [[Talit]] it's permitted for the congregation to look at the Cohanim (based on S"A 128:23). However, the Piskei Teshuvot 128:55 writes that one should still not look at the Cohanim so as not to get distracted even if the Cohanim cover their hands with a Tallit. </ref>

# The congregation shouldn't say any pesukim during the Birkat Cohanim. <ref>Kitzur S"A 100:13</ref>

#A Cohen who drank a [[revi'it]] of wine at any time should not do Birkat Cohanim until the effects of the wine have worn off. <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 4, Kitzur S"A 100:3</ref>

#A Cohen who recited the Birkat Cohanim and went to another synagogue and found the congregation in the midst of [[prayer]], before Birkat Cohanim, should partake in that [[minyan]]'s Birkat Cohanim. A Cohen may recite the Birkat Cohanim several times during the day.<ref> Gemara [[Rosh Hashana]] 28b, Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 11, Kitzur S"A 100:19</ref>

# If a cohen who already performed Birkat cohanim finds himself in another shul which is going to do Birkat cohanim, he doesn't violate the biblical commands if he doesn't do Birkat cohanim another time. However, if he does do Birkat cohanim a second time, he should make a new bracha prior to the Birkat cohanim. <ref>S"A 128:3, Mishna Brurah 128:11</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>

#A Cohen with impure hands (i.e. he did not wash his hands) should not do Birkat Cohanim.<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot [[Tefillah]] U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 5</ref>A Cohen who was unable to wash his hands or is sickly and can't go to wash his hands, in extenuating circumstances may rely on the washing he did in the morning. <ref>Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur S"A 100:5)</ref>

# The kohanim need to wash their entire hands (from the fingertips to the wrist) for [[Birkat kohanim]]<ref>S"A 128:6, Kitzur S"A 100:4</ref>, even on [[Tisha Be’av]] on which one can’t wash past the knuckles for other reasons. Only Levim who regularly wash their own hands before washing the kohanim’s, can wash on [[Tisha Be’av]] before washing the kohanims' hands. <ref> [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipID=958 Rabbi Mansour on dailyhalacha.com]</ref>

# No bracha is made when the Cohanim wash their hands for Birkat Cohanim. <ref>S"A 128:7, Mishna Brurah 128:24</ref>However, in order to avoid a situation in which there is a dispute whether one should make a bracha, the Cohanim should be careful not to touch a dirty area from the time they wash [[Netilat Yadayim upon waking up]] until Birkat Cohanim.<ref>Kitzur S"A 100:5</ref>

# The Levi is supposed to pour the water upon the hands of the cohanim in order to wash them. If there's no Levi, a firstborn should do it. If there's no firstborn, the cohen should wash his own hands.<ref>S"A 128:6, Mishna Brurah 128:22</ref>