DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 570 KB)
How To Do Birkat Kohanim When There Are Only Kohanim Present In Shul

What is the proper procedure for Birkat Kohanim (the priestly blessing) if the congregation consists entirely of Kohanim? Do all the worshippers ascend to recite the Beracha, or do only some of them recite the Beracha?

The Halacha in this case depends on how many people are present in the synagogue. If the Minyan is comprised of only ten Kohanim and nobody else, then they all ascend for the recitation of Birkat Kohanim. Women and children present at the synagogue would answer "Amen" to the Beracha. If there are no women and children in the synagogue, then of course nobody would answer "Amen," but this does not undermine the validity of the Birkat Kohanim.

This situation, of course, gives rise to the interesting question of whom they are blessing, since nobody is present in the synagogue to receive their blessing. The answer is that they bless all other Jews, who are not in attendance in the synagogue. The Kohanim customarily wave their hands side to side at certain points during the recitation of Birkat Kohanim, in effect bestowing the blessing to those beyond the synagogue walls.

If more than ten Kohanim are present (but no non-Kohanim are present), then all the Kohanim go up except 10, to maintain a Minyan.

In all cases, the Chazan (even though he is a Kohen) does not participate in Birkat Kohanim, and instead remains in his place and dictates the Beracha to the other Kohanim.

Summary: If a Minyan consists of only ten people, all of whom are Kohanim, they all recite Birkat Kohanim, except for the Chazan, who stays in his place and dictates the Beracha to the others. If the Minyan consists of more than ten Kohanim but nobody else, all the Kohanim go up, so long as at least 10 stay down.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Priceless Value of Serving as Sandak
The Connection Between Berit Mila and Speech
The Importance of the Berit Mila Meal and the Meal on the Friday Night Before the Berit
Which Kind of Kohen Should One Select for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Pidyon Ha’ben – When is a Pidyon Required For a Firstborn Son?
Pidyon Ha’ben – May the Money be Given to a Kohenet?
The Pidyon Ha’ben Meal
If the Day of the Pidyon Ha’ben Falls on Shabbat, a Holiday, or a Fast Day
When Should a Pidyon Ha’ben be Performed for a Child Who Cannot Yet be Circumcised?
Using an Object of Value for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – If the Kohen Foregoes on the Money
May the Kohen Return the Money Received for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Keeping One’s Word After Designating a Kohen for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – Appointing an Agent; Performing the Pidyon Far Away From the Baby
Naming a Baby at a Berit; the Permissibility of Naming an Ill Newborn Before the Berit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found