When is Birkat Cohanim Said?
- Halacha Moment
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
The Daily Halacha Moment - When is Birkat Cohanim Said?
״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:
When is Birkat Cohanim said?
Answer:
Birkat Cohanim is recited during Shacharit, Musaf, and Ne'ilah. However, it is not performed during Mincha. The reason for this is a halachic concern that a Cohen might have consumed wine earlier in the day, and a Cohen who is even slightly intoxicated is forbidden from performing Birkat Cohanim, as it requires a state of clarity and purity [1]. An exception to this rule occurs on public fast days that do not include Ne’ilah, such as Tish’a B’Av (the Ninth of Av) and Shiv’a Asar B’Tamuz (the Seventeenth of Tamuz). On these days, Birkat Cohanim is recited during Mincha because the Cohanim are fasting, and thus the concern of intoxication is not relevant [2]. The fast itself ensures that the Cohanim are in a sober state suitable for delivering the blessing.
It’s important to note that Birkat Cohanim is never recited at night [3]. Finally, Birkat Cohanim can only take place in the presence of a minyan, and that minyan must include at least one eligible Cohen to perform the mitzvah [4].
Sources:
[1]. Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim 14:1.
[2]. Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah U'Birkat Cohanim 14:2.
[3]. Yalkut Yosef, Tefillah, Vol. 1, p. 339. Maran Harav Ovadia in Yechaveh Da'at (6:40) rules that Birkat Kohanim should not be recited after Tzet Ha’kochavim (nightfall), which occurs approximately 20 minutes after sunset. However, during the period of Ben Ha’shemashot, which extends for approximately 13-15 minutes after sundown, the blessing may be recited. See also Halacha Berurah, vol. 6, p. 609 concurs.
[4]. Shulchan Aruch 128:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 100:2; Mishna Berurah 128:2.
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