May a Kohen who killed a person perform Birkat Kohanim?
Synopsis
The Mechaber rules that a Kohen who killed a person — even unintentionally — may not perform Birkat Kohanim, even after repentance. The Rema disagrees with this stringency in practice: he holds that after repentance the Kohen may bless, and this leniency is appropriate so as not to 'lock the door' before penitents. The Rema cites his own reasoning that this is no worse than an apostate (who can bless after repentance per SA 128:37). The Biur Halacha notes the debate: while the Mechaber implies firm prohibition even after repentance, the Rema (and the Peri Chadash and others dissenting) hold it should remain prohibited even with repentance for willful killing.
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Discussion
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