Must a Kohen stand for Nesias Kapayim

Question:

A member of our congregation who is a Kohen is wheelchair-bound. Is it permitted for him to perform Nesias Kapayim from his wheelchair while in a sitting position?

Answer:

A Kohen may not perform Nesias Kapayim in a sitting position, and hence a Kohen who is wheelchair-bound should have two other people help him stand while he recites the priestly blessings. Another option if applicable, is for the Kohen to lift himself up using the armrests of the wheelchair by each and every word that he recites of the blessing, and he may then remain sitting in between the recital of each word. If this is not possible, then he should leave the synagogue before Nesias Kapayim is performed. If he was unable to leave the synagogue, then he is nevertheless not to perform Nesias Kapayim in a sitting position.

Explanation:

The Mishneh in Sotah lists a number of conditions that need to be met by the performance of Nesias Kapayim, one of them being the need for the Kohen to stand while doing so. This is learned from a verse in Scripture which states “Ulisharso and to bless him” which means to serve God, and from here we learn that just as by the service of God in the temple the priest must stand, so too he is required to stand when performing Nesias Kapayim. The authorities learn that this matter is so important that if it is not adhered to and the priest recites the blessing in a sitting position the mitzvah is invalid. Now, we do find Poskim who rule that despite the above ruling, a person who is physically not able to stand is to nonetheless perform Nesias Kapayim, as it is better that he nullify this condition, then transgress the three positive commands that require him to bless the Jewish people. However, the vast majority of the Poskim completely negate this position being that since the mitzvah is invalid, he is not considered to be transgressing anything and is not considered to be fulfilling anything if he goes ahead and does so. Accordingly, the Peri Megadim concludes that even if the priest already went up to the podium he is to be brought down if he is unable to stand for the recital of the blessing. However, others conclude that he should remain with the other priests and not recite the blessing and simply recite the words.

Sources: See regarding the general obligation to stand during the blessing: Admur 128:23 [even Bdieved not Yotzei]; Michaber 128:14; Rambam Tefilah 14:11; Sotah 38a; M”A 128:21; Peri Chadash 128; Elya Raba 128:13; Kaf Hachaim 128:90; Ketzos Hashulchan 23:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 128:44 See regarding an old person who cannot stand: May go up: Shvus Yaakov 2:1; May not: Yad Aaron in Hagahos Hatu; Panim Meiros 2:186; Noda Beyehuda O.C. 5; Birkeiy Yosef 128:1; Mamar Mordecha 128:22; Shalmei Tzibur p. 144; Beis Menucha 128:36; Shaareiy Teshuvah 128:25; P”M 128 A”A 22 M”Z  end