Birkat Cohanim: Difference between revisions
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==Proper Behavior of the Cohanim during Birkat Cohanim== | ==Proper Behavior of the Cohanim during Birkat Cohanim== | ||
# Even if there is no platform, the cohanim should still go up to bless the congregation. Therefore if the one leading the prayers is the only cohen present, he should bless "birkat cohanim" from where he is standing, and he doesn't need to move to the platform. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 294 </ref> | # Even if there is no platform, the cohanim should still go up to bless the congregation. Therefore if the one leading the prayers is the only cohen present, he should bless "birkat cohanim" from where he is standing, and he doesn't need to move to the platform. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 294 </ref> | ||
# Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai instituted that the Cohanim shouldnt go up wearing sandals or any type of shoe, out of respect to the congregation <Ref> Gemara Sotah 40a) </ref> | |||
==Proper behavior of the congregation during Birkat Cohanim== | ==Proper behavior of the congregation during Birkat Cohanim== | ||
# Because of the opinion that there is also a mitzvah for the Yisraelim to receive the Bracha if one is in Shul when the Cohanim were called one may not leave until after Birkat Cohanim. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 128:2 </ref> Even if one already heard Birkat Cohanim that day it's improper to leave the Shul when the Cohanim get up for Birkat Cohanim. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 128:149 </ref> | # Because of the opinion that there is also a mitzvah for the Yisraelim to receive the Bracha if one is in Shul when the Cohanim were called one may not leave until after Birkat Cohanim. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 128:2 </ref> Even if one already heard Birkat Cohanim that day it's improper to leave the Shul when the Cohanim get up for Birkat Cohanim. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 128:149 </ref> | ||
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# There are various opinions regarding whether one should answer Baruch Hu Baruch Shemo after Hashem’s name in Birkat Cohanim. <Ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Vol 2, pg 379) writes that one may follow one’s customary practice but should do so quietly. See Yachava Daat 4:9. </ref> | # There are various opinions regarding whether one should answer Baruch Hu Baruch Shemo after Hashem’s name in Birkat Cohanim. <Ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Vol 2, pg 379) writes that one may follow one’s customary practice but should do so quietly. See Yachava Daat 4:9. </ref> | ||
# At the conclusion of Birkat Cohanim some have the practice to thank the cohanim for the Brachot and the cohanim respond Tzivku LeMitzvot while others advise avoid responding in these words. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 128:60, Aruch HaShulchan 128:24, Sh”t Har Tzvi 62 </ref> However, saying Yasher Koach or thank you isn’t an issue. <Ref>Nesiut Kapim KeHilchata (Chap 9 note 53) writes that the Cohanim saying the “Yashar Koach” isn’t an issue. Piskei Teshuvot 128:48 writes that saying “Thank you” isn’t an issue. </ref> | # At the conclusion of Birkat Cohanim some have the practice to thank the cohanim for the Brachot and the cohanim respond Tzivku LeMitzvot while others advise avoid responding in these words. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 128:60, Aruch HaShulchan 128:24, Sh”t Har Tzvi 62 </ref> However, saying Yasher Koach or thank you isn’t an issue. <Ref>Nesiut Kapim KeHilchata (Chap 9 note 53) writes that the Cohanim saying the “Yashar Koach” isn’t an issue. Piskei Teshuvot 128:48 writes that saying “Thank you” isn’t an issue. </ref> | ||
# If a Yisrael who makes the blessing of the cohanim, with the intention of doing the mitzvah, | # If a Yisrael who makes the blessing of the cohanim, with the intention of doing the mitzvah, he is transgressing a positive commandment, because only the cohanim were commanded.<Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 296 </ref> | ||
# However, parents blessing their children and Rabbis blessing their students, may put both of their hands on their heads while reciting the blessing, since the only prohibition is to make the blessing with the intention of fulfilling the mitzvah of the commandment, and to do it like the cohen.<Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 296 </ref> | # However, parents blessing their children and Rabbis blessing their students, may put both of their hands on their heads while reciting the blessing, since the only prohibition is to make the blessing with the intention of fulfilling the mitzvah of the commandment, and to do it like the cohen.<Ref> Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah Volume 1, page 296 </ref> | ||
# There is no worry about saying a "Bracha levatala", a blessing in vain, since they are verses verses in the Torah, which are permitted to say. | |||
==Someone in middle of Shemona Esreh== | ==Someone in middle of Shemona Esreh== | ||
# Someone who’s in middle of Shemona Esreh should stop to listen even if one is in front of the Cohanim, however, according to Sephardim one may continue Shemona Esreh but if one wants one may stop to listen in between Brachot. <Ref> | # Someone who’s in middle of Shemona Esreh should stop to listen even if one is in front of the Cohanim, however, according to Sephardim one may continue Shemona Esreh but if one wants one may stop to listen in between Brachot. <Ref> | ||
