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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 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> | # 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> | ||
# 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. 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 </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 a more proper minhag. </ref> | ||
==Upon whom is the mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim?== | ==Upon whom is the mitzvah of Birkat Cohanim?== | ||
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# Therefore, during a fast day which doesn't have [[Ne'ilah]] (like [[Tish'a B'av]] (the ninth of av) or [[Shiv'a Asar B'tamuz]] ([[The 17th of Tamuz]]) we do birkat Cohanim during mincha, since we are not worried about the Cohanim being intoxicated if they are fasting. <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 2</ref> | # Therefore, during a fast day which doesn't have [[Ne'ilah]] (like [[Tish'a B'av]] (the ninth of av) or [[Shiv'a Asar B'tamuz]] ([[The 17th of Tamuz]]) we do birkat Cohanim during mincha, since we are not worried about the Cohanim being intoxicated if they are fasting. <ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 14, Halacha 2</ref> | ||
# There is no Birkat Cohanim at night. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 339</ref> | # There is no Birkat Cohanim at night. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 339</ref> | ||
# Birkat Cohanim is only said if there is a minyan and the minyan includes the Cohanim. <ref>S"A 128:1, Mishna Brurah 128:2</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> | ||
==Procedure of Birkat Cohanim for the Cohanim== | ==Procedure of Birkat Cohanim for the Cohanim== | ||
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# If one is slightly behind the Cohanim one is not included in the Bracha, however, if one is standing directly on the side, one is included in the Bracha, yet, one should face the Cohanim. Even if there is a partition - even an iron wall - between the Cohanim and the people who are being blessed, since they are facing the Cohanim, they are included in the blessing.<ref>S”A 128:24, Biur Halacha D”H Aval, Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 8</ref> | # If one is slightly behind the Cohanim one is not included in the Bracha, however, if one is standing directly on the side, one is included in the Bracha, yet, one should face the Cohanim. Even if there is a partition - even an iron wall - between the Cohanim and the people who are being blessed, since they are facing the Cohanim, they are included in the blessing.<ref>S”A 128:24, Biur Halacha D”H Aval, Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 8</ref> | ||
# If one is in front of the Cohanim one should face east (the front of the Shul). <Ref> Biur Halacha 128:24 D”H Aval </ref> | # If one is in front of the Cohanim one should face east (the front of the Shul). <Ref> Biur Halacha 128:24 D”H Aval </ref> | ||
# One shouldn’t look at the hands of the Cohanim during Birkat Cohanim | # 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> | |||
===Answering Amen and Baruch Hu Baruch Shemo=== | ===Answering Amen and Baruch Hu Baruch Shemo=== | ||
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#Similarly, a stutterer or one who speaks unclearly, whose words cannot be understood by everyone, should not recite birkat Cohanim<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 1</ref> | #Similarly, a stutterer or one who speaks unclearly, whose words cannot be understood by everyone, should not recite birkat Cohanim<ref>Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 1</ref> | ||
# A Cohen who has a defect, blemish, or deformity, on his face or his hands should not do birkat cohanim, because the people will look at him and be distracted. However if he is "Dash B'Iro", meaning that he is had a blemish for at least 30 days and the whole tzibur knows that he has this blemish, there is no worry that people will look at him, and he may do birkat cohanim. <strong>Nowadays</strong>, since the Cohanim cover themselves with a talit during the blessing, there is no worry that people will look at him, and any Cohen who has a blemish on his hands or face may do birkat cohanim. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 319</ref> | # A Cohen who has a defect, blemish, or deformity, on his face or his hands should not do birkat cohanim, because the people will look at him and be distracted. However if he is "Dash B'Iro", meaning that he is had a blemish for at least 30 days and the whole tzibur knows that he has this blemish, there is no worry that people will look at him, and he may do birkat cohanim. <strong>Nowadays</strong>, since the Cohanim cover themselves with a talit during the blessing, there is no worry that people will look at him, and any Cohen who has a blemish on his hands or face may do birkat cohanim. <ref>Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 319</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</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> Rambam, Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim, Chapter 15, Halacha 11</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</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> | # 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 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> | ||
===Cohanim washing their hands before Birkat Cohanim=== | ===Cohanim washing their hands before Birkat Cohanim=== | ||
#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 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 for birkat kohanim<ref>S"A 128:6</ref>, even on [[Tisha Be’av]] on which one can’t wash past the knuckles. 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> | # 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. 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> | # 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> | ||
# The cohanim do not make a bracha for this washing of their hands.<ref>S"A 128:7, Mishna Brurah 128:24</ref> | # The cohanim do not make a bracha for this washing of their hands.<ref>S"A 128:7, Mishna Brurah 128:24</ref> | ||
