A detailed review of all the laws pertaining to Birkas Kohanim following the order of the Shulchan Aruch

  • May a levi walk in front of one davening the Shemoneh Esrei to wash the hands of the kohen?
  • May one sit while listening to the Birkas Kohanim?
  • May a kohen say the Birkas Kohanim while in middle of K’rias Shema?
  • When may a kohen say Birkas Kohanim even though he didn’t wash his hands?

The Yerushalmi writes (Sotah 9, 14) that because of Birkas Kohanim the world continues to exist. Additionally, the Netziv writes that all possible blessings that one can aspire for, in the spiritual and the physical senses, are included in the words of Birkas Kohanim.

However, the laws and customs surrounding this mitzvah are unfortunately not studied properly by kohanim and non- kohanim alike, thereby causing that the blessings are being given incorrectly and/or not being received properly.

In Bless and Be Blessed, Rabbi Yaakov Shmuel Marcus offers a clear summary of all pertinent laws and information, following the order of the Shulchan Aruch.

Joining his recently released The Tefillin Companion, Bless and Be Blessed is written in an easy-to-read format. As attested to by Rav Yaakov Forchheimer Shlit”a, this sefer will be enjoyed by talmidei chachamim and laymen alike.