The Priestly Blessing
How Kohanim place the Name of God upon His people Israel
What Is the Priestly Blessing?
The Priestly Blessing is the commandment in which God instructs the Kohanim to bless the Jewish people with the words He gives in the Torah.
This blessing is known in Hebrew as Birkat Kohanim. In rabbinic sources it is also called Nesiat Kapayim, the lifting of the hands, because the Kohanim raise their hands as they bless the people.
The Kohen does not bless as a private individual. He stands as a descendant of Aharon, appointed to bless Israel in the name of God, using the words and order given by God.
They Shall Place My Name
The Torah describes the purpose of the Priestly Blessing with the words: “They shall place My Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Through the Priestly Blessing, the Kohanim place the Name of God upon His people Israel. The blessing comes from God, while the Kohanim serve in the sacred role assigned to the descendants of Aharon.
Why the Priestly Blessing Matters
The Priestly Blessing shows that God desires to bless His people and gives that blessing a visible and verbal expression. The Kohanim stand before Israel, lift their hands, speak the words of blessing, and place His Name upon His people.
The role of the Kohen is both humble and elevated. He does not bless from personal power. He serves in the place assigned to the descendants of Aharon so that God’s blessing may be spoken over Israel in the form commanded by God.
The blessing therefore remains one of the clearest living expressions of Kehuna: public, ordered, sacred, and centered upon God’s relationship with His people Israel.
How the Blessing Is Given
In the synagogue, the Kohanim prepare before the blessing. Where a Levi is present, the hands of the Kohanim are customarily washed by the Levi according to the congregation’s inherited practice. The Kohanim then ascend to the place of blessing, face the congregation, raise their hands, and bless the people with the words given by God.
The prayer leader prompts the words aloud, and the Kohanim repeat the blessing word by word. The congregation stands facing the Kohanim and receives the blessing with attention and reverence.
Preparation
The Kohanim prepare before ascending, including the customary removal of shoes and the washing of their hands according to the congregation’s inherited order.
Facing the People
The Kohanim turn toward the congregation, and the congregation faces them so that the blessing is received directly and respectfully.
Raised Hands
The raised hands are central to Nesiat Kapayim. Communities preserve inherited details concerning the position and movement of the hands and fingers.
Words Given by God
The blessing is not composed by the Kohanim. God gives its words, and the Kohanim are commanded to bless Israel with those words.
The Congregation Faces the Kohanim
A central part of the blessing is that the congregation faces the Kohanim. The blessing is not treated as background prayer. It is received directly, with the people standing before the Kohanim as the blessing is given.
Those receiving the blessing stand within the area facing the Kohanim and give their attention to the blessing. This expresses the direct and public character of the blessing placed upon Israel in the name of God.
Practice Notes for Kohanim
The following points summarize common practices connected with the Priestly Blessing. Each congregation’s inherited customs should be preserved with care and dignity.
Preparation
The Kohen prepares before ascending, including the customary removal of shoes. Where a Levi is present, the Kohen’s hands are customarily washed by the Levi according to the congregation’s inherited practice.
Ascending and Facing the People
The Kohen should be ready to ascend at the proper point in the repetition of the Amidah. The Kohanim then turn to face the congregation, while the congregation stands within the area facing them.
Hands and Words
Communities preserve different traditions concerning the position and movement of the hands and fingers. The Kohanim repeat the blessing word by word as prompted by the prayer leader.
Completion of the Blessing
After completing the blessing, the Kohanim remain in place until the proper point in the prayer service and then return according to the accepted order of the congregation.
Continue Learning
Continue from the Priestly Blessing into related areas of Living Kehuna.
Living Kehuna
Return to the main section on how Kehuna is expressed in Jewish life today.
Gifts to the Kohen
Explore the Torah-designated gifts received by the Kohen and their place within Living Kehuna.
The Honor of the Kohen
Learn about the Torah instruction to recognize the Kohen and preserve the dignity of Kehuna.
Purity & Readiness
Study the Kohen’s relationship to purity, readiness, and the preservation of sacred boundaries.
Support the Living Temple Vision
This work is supported through our Ezekiel Vision Fund, dedicated to strengthening kehuna, sacred readiness, Temple consciousness, and the full realization of Israel’s priestly service.
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