Halachah 1 — When Birkat Kohanim Is Recited
The priestly blessing is recited during:
- Shacharit,
- Musaf,
- Ne’ilah.
It is not recited during Minchah, because people may have eaten and priests may have consumed wine, which invalidates the blessing.
Even on fast days, Birkat Kohanim is not recited at Minchah, to avoid confusion with ordinary weekdays.
Halachah 2 — Fast‑Day Exceptions
On fast days that include Ne’ilah (Yom Kippur and public fasts for calamity), Birkat Kohanim is not recited at Minchah.
On fast days without Ne’ilah (e.g., Tish’ah B’Av, 17 Tammuz), Minchah is close to sunset and resembles Ne’ilah; therefore Birkat Kohanim is recited.
If a priest ascended during Minchah of Yom Kippur, he may bless and is not forced to descend, since drunkenness is impossible that day.
Halachah 3 — Beginning Birkat Kohanim Outside the Temple
When the chazan reaches R’tzey, the priests rise, approach the duchan, and face the heichal with closed fingers.
After Modim, they turn to the people, spread their fingers, raise their hands shoulder‑height, and begin Yevarechecha.
The chazan prompts them word for word, and the people respond Amen after each verse.
Halachah 4 — Conclusion of the Blessing
After the final verse:
- The chazan begins Sim Shalom.
- The priests turn back toward the ark, close their fingers, remain standing until the blessing concludes, and then return to their places.
Halachah 5 — Precision and Timing
Strict pauses are required:
- The caller does not prompt until the congregation finishes Amen.
- The priests do not begin until the caller finishes.
- The congregation does not say Amen until the priests finish.
The chazan does not say Amen, lest he lose track of which verse to prompt.
Halachah 6 — Restrictions on Movement and Dress
The priests:
- may not turn away before Sim Shalom begins,
- may not descend until it concludes,
- may not close fingers prematurely.
Ezra decreed that priests remove their shoes before ascending the duchan.
Halachah 7 — Proper Focus
Priests must:
- look downward,
- maintain full concentration.
The congregation:
- must not look at the priests,
- must stand facing them,
- must listen attentively.
Halachah 8 — One Kohen vs. Many
If only one priest is present, he begins on his own, then is prompted.
If two or more, they wait until the chazan calls “Kohanim”, then respond together and bless as instructed.
Halachah 9 — Birkat Kohanim in the Temple
In the Temple:
- the blessing was recited after the morning offering,
- priests raised hands above the head (except the High Priest),
- all three verses were treated as one blessing.
The people responded with a single declaration of praise.
Halachah 10 — God’s Explicit Name
In the Temple, God’s explicit Name was pronounced as written.
Outside the Temple, the substitute name Adonai is used.
After Shimon HaTzaddik’s death, even in the Temple the explicit Name ceased to be used openly.
Halachah 11 — Essential Requirements
Birkat Kohanim must be:
- recited standing,
- with raised hands,
- in Hebrew,
- face to face,
- aloud,
- using the explicit Name only in the Temple.
Halachah 12 — No Additions Allowed
Priests may not add blessings beyond the three verses, even silently.
Before ascending, each priest says a prayer asking the blessing be pure.
Upon ascending, he recites the blessing sanctifying the mitzvah.
After descending, he recites a prayer requesting fulfillment of God’s promise.
Halachah 13 — Turning to the Right
All turns:
- when facing the congregation,
- and when turning away,
must be done to the right, as with all honored movements.
Halachah 14 — Frequency and the Caller
In the Temple, Birkat Kohanim was recited once daily.
Outside the Temple, it is recited after every prayer except Minchah.
The reader who prompts the priests should be an Israelite, not a Kohen.
