What is Birkat Cohanim?
- Halacha Moment
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
The Daily Halacha Moment - Birkat Cohanim
״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן
העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)
“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)
Question:
What is Birkat Cohanim?
Answer:
The Mitzvah of Birkat Kohanim is a biblical commandment (Deorayta) and applies in all places and at all times—even today.[1] It originates from the verse, "דַּבֵּר אֶל-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל-בָּנָיו לֵאמֹר, כֹּה תְבָרְכוּ אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: אָמוֹר, לָהֶם" — “Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the Children of Israel.”[2]
Birkat Kohanim, also known as duchaning, is the special priestly blessing in which Kohanim (descendants of Aharon) stand before the congregation and bless them with the three-part blessing found in Bamidbar 6:24–26: "May Hashem bless you and guard you; May Hashem shine His face upon you and be gracious to you; May Hashem lift His face to you and grant you peace."
Although it is a Torah commandment, Birkat Kohanim is not an absolute obligation but rather a positive Mitzvah that presents an opportunity to fulfill a commandment similar to the mitzvah of Tzitzit when theres no 4 corners.[3]
The Ashkenazic custom outside of Israel is to perform Birkat Kohanim only during Mussaf on Yom Tov, as it should be recited in a state of calm and joy, free from weekday concerns.[4] Throughout history, some have tried to change this custom in order to fulfill the biblical command more regularly, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.[5]
Sources:
[1]. Sefer HaChinuch (378), Shaar HaTziyun 128:131*, Yalkut Yosef (Tefillah vol 2, pg 217), Shu"t Mishkenot Yaakov 66.
[2]. Bamidbar 6:23.
[3]. Dvar Avraham 1:31.
[4]. The Rama 128:44 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag outside Israel is not to do Birkat Cohanim except at Mussaf of Yom Tov because Birkat Cohanim should be done when people are relaxed and not bothered by work. For other reasons to explain the Ashkenazi minhag see Bet Yosef 128 quoting the Sefer Chasidim, Sh”t Zera Emet 3:13, and Sh”t Bet Efraim 6.
[5]. Aruch HaShulchan 128:64.
How You Can Participate
📲 link 😊
Netanel Aminov
Founder Of The Halacha Moment
🌟 Today's Halacha Moment is dedicated:
🕯 Leiluy Nishmat:
Mishael Ben Frecha
Efrat Bat Aushra
🤒 Refuah Shelema:
Chana Bat Sima Feiga
💯 Hatzlacha:
Aminov Family
Sion Ben Elie
DBY
🗣️ Want Your Friends/ Family to Be Part of This Amazing Broadcast?
👇 Click Below 👇
⭐️❤️ Want the _zechut_ of dedicating a Halacha Moment seen by thousands?
Dedicate a day $72
Dedicate A Week $36
Dedicate A Month $1250
Zelle info@halachamoment.com
🤩 Comment on this Halacha Moment and let us know how it impacted you.
Comments