Halachic Highlights

Question: May an aveil perform Sh’nayim Mikra V’Echad Targum (“SMVT”) during the week of shiv’ah? What about on the Shabbos of shiv’ah?

Question: May a kohen recite Birkas Kohanim during his year of aveilus?

Question: Are women obligated to perform Sh’nayim Mikra V’Echad Targum? If not, may they perform this mitzvah?

Question: Is the kohen allowed to start preparing for Birkas Kohanim before the chazan recites HaKeil HaKadosh during Chazaras HaShatz?

Question: Do you fulfill any mitzvah when you only partially perform Sh’nayim Mikra V’Echad Targum?

Question: Should those non-kohanim who are standing to the sides of the kohanim move for Birkas Kohanim so that they are standing facing the kohanim?

Short Answer: Ideally, those who are on the sides of the kohanim should move to face the kohanim directly during Birkas Kohanim. But if they cannot, or if there is not sufficient room for the entire congregation to stand directly in front of the kohanim, they are still included in the brachah.