Halachic Highlights

Talking During Birkas Kohanim

Question: May a kohen perform Birkas Kohanim where there are only nine other men in shul and some of the men are talking and not listening to Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: Yes, these disrespectful people who talk during Birkas Kohanim are included in Birkas Kohanim and thus Birkas Kohanim may be performed in such a situation.

Question: Should the kohanim answer “Baruch hu u’varuch sh’mo” at the end of the brachah of L’cha na’eh l’hodos immediately before Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: Because the kohanim are in the midst of reciting a Y’hi Ratzon, they should not answer “Baruch hu u’varuch sh’mo” at the end of the brachah of L’cha na’eh l’hodos.

Question: Should a Levi wash a kohen’s hands for Birkas Kohanim where the Levi will miss part of Chazaras HaShatz in the process? What about where the Levi needs to walk in front of a person who is in the middle of his Sh’moneh Esrei?

Question: May a kohen perform Birkas Kohanim by standing in the place where his father normally stands during Birkas Kohanim?

 Short Answer: A kohen should not perform Birkas Kohanim by standing in his father’s set place. However, the kohen may stand next to his father, but his father should ideally stand in the middle of the platform with the son at his side.

Junior Levi Or Adult B’chor?

Question: If there is no adult Levito wash the kohen’s hands for Birkas Kohanim, is it preferable that the kohen’s hands be washed by a Levi child or an adult b’chor (firstborn) Yisrael?

Question: May a kohen walk in front of another person who is in the middle of Sh’moneh Esrei in order to hide his shoes before performing Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: While it is important for a kohen to hide his shoes from plain sight when he recites Birkas Kohanim, he should not pass in front of a person reciting Sh’moneh Esrei in order to do so.