| Ask the Rabbi: Birkat Cohenim |
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| Friday, 31 October 2008 15:24 |
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Question: Why do men cover their heads with their tallit when the Cohenim are doing the priestly blessing? Answer: On festivals we receive the priestly blessing Birkat Cohenim. This is the most ancient prayer and ordained by the Torah itself. So the Cohenim shall place my name on the people and I will bless them – Numbers 6/27. In temple times (and in Israel today) it is the custom to bless the people daily. Because the priests are only a vessel and through them hashem blesses us, we are not allowed to watch how they raise their arms and hands during the blessing. That is why the people who are praying in shule should be in front of the Cohenim, but not looking at them. It is a custom for fathers to cover their children with their tallit and to bestow the priests’ blessing onto them. |
