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Halachaהלכה

The Gra on Instructing the Kohanim

The Gra's interpretation of how the kohanim's blessing is dependent on explicit instruction from the prayer leader, grounded in the verse 'say to them' and supported by rabbinic sources on the Priestly Blessing.

ת״ל אמור להם והוא קריאת כהנים

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Beur HaGra on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim

ביאור הגר"א על שולחן ערוך אורח חיים קכ״ח:ב׳

Beur HaGra on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 128:2

The Gra explains that the kohanim do not fulfill the mitzvah without the prayer leader instructing them to say the blessing, deriving this from “אמור להם” and citing the Sifrei, Sotah 38a, and Tosafot on Berakhot 34a.

בשקורא כו'. דבלא"ה אינו עולה כמ"ש בספרי פ' נשא מנין שהחזן צ"ל להם אמרו ת"ל אמור להם והוא קריאת כהנים כמ"ש בסוטה נ"ח א' וכמ"ש תוס' ברכות ל"ד א' ד"ה לא כו':

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  • Kitzur Shulchan Arukh Yalkut Yosef, Orach Chaim 128:35unverified

    כשיש בבית הכנסת ב' כהנים הנושאים כפיהם, קודם שיתחילו לברך אשר קדשנו וכו', אומר להם השליח צבור: כהנים, שאין הכהנים חייבים לברך אלא אם כן אמרו להם לברך, שכן נאמר: כה תברכו את בני ישראל אמור להם, ותירגמו, כד תימרון להון, והיינו דהחיוב הוא רק כאשר אומרים להם לברך. ואמירה זו היא קריאת כהנים שאנו אומרים קודם שהכהנים נושאים כפיהם. [שארית יוסף חלק ג עמוד קעא. ילקוט יוסף מהדורת תשס"ד, תפלה כרך ב, סימן קכח הערה לה עמוד רעד] .

    from our library copy — not yet checked against the original

  • Pesachim 51aunverified

    Filed under: Shulchan Aruch

  • Rashi on Ketubot 24bunverified

    Filed under: ברכת כהנים

  • Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 319:4unverified

    Filed under: Halachos of Fish (in Orach Chaim)

  • Beur HaGra on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 445:1unverified

    Filed under: Biur Chametz

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