Parashas Naso 5770

The Role of the Congregation in Birkas Kohanim

Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying, "So shall you bless the Children of
Israel: Say unto them…" (Bamidbar 6:23)
Chareidim teaches us an important principle in the mitzvah of the priestly blessing.
Although the Torah instruction to bless the nation is directed at the Kohanim alone,
Chareidim writes that "the congregation, standing face to face with the Kohanim, in
silent acceptance of the blessing as Hashem commanded, also participate in the
mitzvah" (chap 12, no. 18). This teaching is mentioned by Biur Halachah (beginning
of sec. 128).
Yet, although he tells us that the entire nation is included in the mitzvah, Chareidim
does not reveal the nature of this inclusion; Mishnah Berurah also offers no
explanation further to the actual statement of Chareidim. We must therefore seek to
understand how the congregation is included in the mitzvah of the priestly blessing.
Specifically, the following question is worthy of investigation: Does the inclusion of
the nation in the mitzvah imply an actual obligation to go and receive a blessing from
a Kohen? For example, imagine somebody who prayed in a minyan where no Kohen
was present. Does he now have to find another minyan in order to fulfill his mitzvah
of receiving the blessing?
Participating in the Kohen's Mitzvah
Addressing the meaning of the mitzvah for a non-Kohen, Mahari Asad (Orach
Chayim 46) writes that the mitzvah implies nothing more than being party to the
mitzvah of the Kohen.
A comparison for this idea is found in the mitzvah of a woman to marry and beget
children. Although a woman is not commanded in peru u'revu, Ran writes that she
participates in the mitzvah of her husband (Ran, Kiddushin, beginning of chap. 2). It is
therefore a mitzvah for a woman to get married, for by doing so she is party to the
mitzvah of begetting children that her husband fulfils.
According to this reasoning, it emerges that a non-Kohen has no specific mitzvah to
receive the blessing. Rather, the mitzvah incumbent on a non-Kohen is only to be part
of the Kohen's mitzvah, which he does by receiving the blessing with proper intent.
The words of Chareidim fit well with the explanation above. As he writes, "the
congregation, standing face to face with the Kohanim … participate in the mitzvah."
The point seems to be that the congregation are part of the Kohen's mitzvah, and not
that they have an independent mitzvah of being blessed.
An Independent Mitzvah
Chasam Sofer (Orach Chayim 22), however, takes a different approach.
The Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 28b) states that a Kohen who adds an extra blessing to
the three Torah blessings transgresses the prohibition of bal tosif ("you shall not
add"). The Gemara proceeds to question this assertion: Surely one transgresses the
prohibition of adding to a mitzvah only at the time during which the Torah mitzvah is
being performed. After the Kohen has completed the three priestly blessings, he has
surely completed the mitzvah, and should no longer transgress the prohibition of bal
tosif? The Gemara responds that because the Kohen would have a mitzvah of giving a
further blessing if he encountered another congregation, it is considered as though he
has not completed the performance of the mitzvah.
Why is the Kohen's mitzvah considered incomplete? One might suggest that because
he is obligated to grant a blessing to every congregation he encounters, he never
actually completes his mitzvah. In potential, he always has more blessings to grant.
Chasam Sofer offers a different explanation: the mitzvah continues because the Kohen
is responsible not only for his own mitzvah, but even for that of the non-Kohen
congregation. He must enable them to fulfill their mitzvah of receiving the Kohen's
blessing.
People in the Field
According to Chasam Sofer, it thus emerges that a non-Kohen has an independent
mitzvah of receiving a blessing from a Kohen—a position that seems to be supported
by Raavad (commentary on end of Tamid). If he has not yet been blessed, he would
have an obligation to find a Kohen from whom to receive the blessing.
According to Mahari Asad, however, the only mitzvah for a non-Kohen is to
participate in the Kohen's blessing. If no Kohen was present in his minyan, the non-
Kohen would not be obligated to seek out a Kohen from whom to be blessed.
An interesting point to note is the fact that ten Kohanim are able to give a blessing
even when no non-Kohen is present. The reason for this, as the Gemara writes, is
because the blessing is directed at the "people in the fields" (Sotah 38b). Why
(according to Chasam Sofer) is there a mitzvah to be blessed directly if one can be
blessed even while in the fields? And why (according to Mahari Asad) is there a
mitzvah of being part of the blessing if the blessing can take effect without the
participation of non-Kohanim?
According to Chasam Sofer, we are forced to conclude that there are two types of
blessing. The "superior" blessing, which a person is obligated to receive, is the direct
blessing in the presence of Kohanim. When this is impossible, one receives an
indirect blessing as one of the "people in the fields," but one may not rely on this
lesser form of blessing, and must strive to receive the direct blessing in the presence
of a Kohen.
Without a supporting source, this idea seems somewhat strained: from where do the
two qualities of blessing emerge. Yet, the entire concept of an independent mitzvah
incumbent on the non-Kohen, as suggested by Chasam Sofer, is somewhat strained:
Surely the Torah addresses Kohanim alone?
According to Mahari Asad, we may suggest that although the blessing can apply to
the people in the fields, we find that it nevertheless requires the actual presence of
some non-Kohen persona. As Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 128:25, based on
Rambam and Yerushalmi) rules, where no non-Kohen is present the wives and
children of the Kohanim must be present to answer Amen. The blessing itself can
apply to "people in the fields," yet it also requires some form of direct acceptance. A
non-Kohen who properly accepts the blessing therefore participates in the Kohen's
mitzvah.
Stopping One's Prayer for the Blessing
Modern-day authorities discuss the case of someone who is still davening the Amidah
prayer when the Kohanim begin their blessing. Should he stop and focus his attention
on the blessing, or should he continue his prayer?
Iggros Moshe (Orach Chayim 4:21, sec. 2) writes that he should stop his prayer and
focus on the blessing, a ruling seconded by Shevet Ha-Levi (3:15). It is also quoted of
the Chazon Ish that this is the right way to act. Harav Elyashiv shlita, however, is
quotes as opining that one should carry on one's prayer uninterrupted.
The dispute might be related to the discussion above. According to Chasam Sofer an
independent obligation is incumbent on the non-Kohen to be blessed. Because one
who is praying is unable to fulfill his personal obligation, he becomes like one of the
"people of the fields," who are included in the blessing even in spite of their distance
from the synagogue.
According to Mahari Asad, however, the commencement of the priestly blessing
automatically includes the congregation, who as "present receivers" are an inherent
part of the blessing. Even someone in the middle of prayer must therefore stop and
focus on receiving the blessing.
In a practical sense, it would seem that the general custom follows Mahari Asad.
Outside of Israel, for instance, we do not find that Ashkenazim, whose custom
(excluding festivals) is not to perform the priestly blessing, visit a Sephardi
synagogue (whose custom is to perform the blessing) to receive the blessing.
According to Mahari Asad, this is easily understood: because no Kohen actually
blesses the people (in the Ashkenazi synagogue), the congregation has no obligation
to find an alternative.
Some, however, are particular to ensure that they receive a direct blessing, and the
deed is certainly worthy according to Chasam Sofer.