Where to Stand During Birkas Kohanim

Courtesy of Ohr Olam Mishnah Berurah

Question: Where should the congregants stand when listening to Birkas Kohanim?

Discussion: In order to be included in the blessing of the Kohanim, the congregants must stand face to face with the Kohanim.58 Accordingly, the following halachos apply:

Anyone standing behind the Kohanim, whether directly behind them or behind them at an angle, must leave their places and stand in front of them during Birkas Kohanim.59 If the Aron Kodesh protrudes somewhat, and the Kohanim are standing in front of it, congregants standing at the very front of the shul must move back for Birkas Kohanim.60

Those who are standing directly to the sides of the Kohanim must turn their faces sideways so that they face the Kohanim as if they are engaging with them in conversation.61

Those who are standing in front of the Kohanim to the sides are considered to be standing face to face with them.62 Some scrupulous individuals have the custom of moving to face the Kohanim directly.63

A wall between the Kohanim and the congregants does not impede the acceptance of the blessing.64 Therefore, congregants standing outside the shul or in an adjacent room who hear Birkas Kohanim are also included in the blessing, provided that they are not standing behind the Kohanim.65 However, some say that lechatchilah, there should be no obstruction of a person’s height between them.66

58 Sotah 38a. Shulchan Aruch 128:24, based on Sotah 38a; see also Mishnah Berurah, notes 37 and 94. However, those who are unable to be present in the shul due to circumstances beyond their control are still included in the berachah, as stated in Shulchan Aruch 128:4.

59 Shulchan Aruch 128:24 with Mishnah Berurah 93. Women who are present in shul should also make sure not to stand behind the Kohanim. However, if they are unable to move to face the Kohanim, they are still included in the berachah. See Kinyan Torah V:10 for further discussion. [Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim V:20-23) contends that women who are tending to young children at home are included in the berachah because they are unable to come to shul due to circumstances beyond their control.]

60 Mishnah Berurah 95. However, in extenuating circumstances, if it is difficult for those at the front of the shul to move, there is room to be lenient (see Shulchan Aruch Harav 128:37; Chayei Adam 32:30; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 100:11). [One should not move to the back of the shul if it requires passing by someone davening Shemoneh Esrei; R’ C. Kanievsky, quoted in She’eilas Rav, Vol. I, part II, 10:44.]

61 Beiur Halachah 128:24, s.v. Aval. It is possible that they are also included in the blessing if they are facing the same direction as the Kohanim. However, if they face the opposite direction, they are not included in the blessing (ibid.).

62 Shulchan Aruch 128:24.

63 This was the custom of the Chasam Sofer (Minhagei Maran HaChasam Sofer 8:28) and R’ Y. Y. Kanievsky (Orchos Rabbeinu, New Edition I, p. 128.) Some write that one who is not known for regularly observing stringencies should not move, as there is no halachic source for this practice; see Beis Baruch 32:145; see also She’eilas Rav, Vol. I, part II, 10:45. Others, however, find a halachic source for this stringency; see Teshuvos Vehanhagos III:46.

64 Shulchan Aruch 128:24.

65 See Beiur Halachah 128:24, ד"ה אפילו and ד"ה אם.

66 Likutei Halachos (Sotah 38b, Ein Mishpat 60). [Some authorities say that if possible, one should not stand on a raised area (such as at the bimah) if it is higher than or at the same level as the place where the Kohanim are standing; see Koh Sevarchu, Ma’areches HaTzadi 1.]