Halachic Highlights

Junior Levi Or Adult B’chor?

Question: If there is no adult Levito wash the kohen’s hands for Birkas Kohanim, is it preferable that the kohen’s hands be washed by a Levi child or an adult b’chor (firstborn) Yisrael?

Question: May a kohen walk in front of another person who is in the middle of Sh’moneh Esrei in order to hide his shoes before performing Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: While it is important for a kohen to hide his shoes from plain sight when he recites Birkas Kohanim, he should not pass in front of a person reciting Sh’moneh Esrei in order to do so.

Question: Should the kohanim answer “Baruch hu u’varuch sh’mo” at the end of the brachah of L’cha na’eh l’hodos immediately before Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: Because the kohanim are in the midst of reciting a Y’hi Ratzon, they should not answer “Baruch hu u’varuch sh’mo” at the end of the brachah of L’cha na’eh l’hodos.

Question: A kohen washes his hands after going to the bathroom in the middle of davening. Must he wash his hands again before Birkas Kohanim?

Short Answer: No, a kohen who uses the bathroom before Birkas Kohanim need only wash his hands one time for both Asher Yatzar and Birkas Kohanim. Ideally, a Levi should be the one who washes the kohen’s hands.

Question: May a kohen perform Birkas Kohanim by standing in the place where his father normally stands during Birkas Kohanim?

 Short Answer: A kohen should not perform Birkas Kohanim by standing in his father’s set place. However, the kohen may stand next to his father, but his father should ideally stand in the middle of the platform with the son at his side.

Question: Must you slaughter a kosher animal that will not be eaten by Jews but will instead be sold to non-Jews?

Short Answer: Rav Moshe Sternbuch suggests that it is a machlokes between the Rambam and the Ramban whether an animal that will only be eaten by non-Jews needs to be slaughtered.