Prayer · Orach Chaim 128

Birkat Kohanim — Detailed Laws

35 questions · 66 opinions

What is the minimum quorum required for Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing)?

2 opinions across 2 eras

Quorum

May a non-Kohen (zar) perform Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 3 eras

Non-Kohen

How many positive commandments does a Kohen who skips Birkat Kohanim violate?

2 opinions across 2 eras

Violation

If a Kohen has already performed Birkat Kohanim once that day, does he violate a commandment by not going up again?

1 opinions

Repeated Performance

Must Kohanim who do not wish to perform Birkat Kohanim remain outside the synagogue?

1 opinions

Kohanim Not Participating

May Kohanim ascend the platform wearing shoes?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Footwear

Must Kohanim wash their hands again before Birkat Kohanim even if they washed in the morning?

2 opinions

Handwashing

When must a Kohen begin moving toward the platform (uproot his feet)?

1 opinions

Timing of Ascent

When should the chazzan call out 'Kohanim' to prompt them to turn and bless?

3 opinions across 2 eras

The Call

Does the chazzan call out the first word 'Yivarechecha' to the Kohanim or do they begin on their own?

2 opinions

Prompting First Word

What are the formal requirements for a valid Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions across 2 eras

Formal Conditions

What prayer do the Kohanim recite after completing Birkat Kohanim, and when do they turn back?

2 opinions

Post-Blessing Prayer

May the chazzan answer Amen after the Kohanim's blessing?

1 opinions

Chazzan and Amen

If the chazzan is a Kohen, may he perform Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Kohen as Chazzan

May Kohanim use multiple melodies during Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Melody

During Birkat Kohanim, may the people recite verses, or must they remain silent?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Reciting Verses

May a Kohen add additional verses beyond the three biblical verses of Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Adding to the Blessing

Are people standing behind the Kohanim included in the blessing?

1 opinions

Who Is Included

What happens when an entire synagogue consists only of Kohanim?

1 opinions

All-Kohen Congregation

May a Kohen with a visible physical deformity on his face or hands perform Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Physical Deformities

Does covering with a tallit permit a Kohen with deformities to perform Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions

Tallit Coverage

May a Kohen with dye-stained hands perform Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Stained Hands

May a Kohen who cannot properly enunciate Hebrew letters perform Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions across 2 eras

Pronunciation

May a minor Kohen perform Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions across 2 eras

Minor

May a Kohen who killed a person perform Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Killing

May a Kohen who converted to idol worship (apostate) perform Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Apostasy

May a Kohen who has drunk wine perform Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Intoxication

May a Kohen who does not observe all mitzvot perform Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

General Conduct

Is a Kohen who married a divorcée disqualified from Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Marriage to Divorcée

Is a Kohen who defiled himself for a corpse (outside the seven obligatory deceased) disqualified?

2 opinions

Corpse Defilement

May a challal (son of a disqualified priestly union) perform Birkat Kohanim?

1 opinions

Challal

May a Kohen in mourning (avel) perform Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions

Mourning

May an unmarried Kohen perform Birkat Kohanim?

3 opinions across 2 eras

Marital Status

What are the specific words during which Kohanim turn from south to north?

2 opinions

Turning

Should the congregation cover their faces and look away during Birkat Kohanim?

2 opinions

Looking at the Kohanim