Questions on the Cohanim

[Ivy]

I used to know this, but why does the congregation turn their backs to the cohanim when the blessing is being recited on Yom Kippur?

Do the cohanim have any other special duties in the synagogue during the year, position of authority, etc.?

How is it ascertained that a person has the genetic marker of a cohen? A blood test, maybe?

[HaNotsri]

Ivy,

It's not only on Yom Kippur that you don't look at the Cohanim, it's during any time (chagim) that the Birkas Cohanim is recited. The reason comes from the Gemora (the discussion of the Mishnah found in the Talmud): the very Shechina of God is said to rest above the hands of the Cohanim when they are giving their blessing upon the congregation. There is double-protection in that many Cohanim cover their hands with the tallis as well as the congregation not looking at them.

The Talmud relates that the only avodah (service) that the Cohanim have without a Mikdosh (Temple) is that of Birkas Cohanim. In addition, they usually have the first aliyah to the Sefer Torah during K'rias haTorah (with a Levi coming second). Other then that, I don't recall that there are any other obligations or honours. A Cohen is also not allowed to marry a harlot, divorcee, or a convert

While there is a genetic evidence of a gene suggesting a common ancestor for most Cohanim, most of them don't know that they are because of genetic testing. It's usually as a result of extensive genelogical research or family tradition that has been brought down through the ages.Many Cohanim have last names that would mark that they are as such. Names like: Cohn, Cohen, Coen, Katz, etc usually signify that. That's not to say that all with such names are of the priestly class however.

Michael

[Ivy]

Ivy,

It's not only on Yom Kippur that you don't look at the Cohanim, it's during any time (chagim) that the Birkas Cohanim is recited. The reason comes from the Gemora (the discussion of the Mishnah found in the Talmud): the very Shechina of God is said to rest above the hands of the Cohanim when they are giving their blessing upon the congregation. There is double-protection in that many Cohanim cover their hands with the tallis as well as the congregation not looking at them.

The Talmud relates that the only avodah (service) that the Cohanim have without a Mikdosh (Temple) is that of Birkas Cohanim. In addition, they usually have the first aliyah to the Sefer Torah during K'rias haTorah (with a Levi coming second). Other then that, I don't recall that there are any other obligations or honours. A Cohen is also not allowed to marry a harlot, divorcee, or a convert

While there is a genetic evidence of a gene suggesting a common ancestor for most Cohanim, most of them don't know that they are because of genetic testing. It's usually as a result of extensive genelogical research or family tradition that has been brought down through the ages.Many Cohanim have last names that would mark that they are as such. Names like: Cohn, Cohen, Coen, Katz, etc usually signify that. That's not to say that all with such names are of the priestly class however.

Michael

I hadn't heard that about the Shekinah resting above their hands.....it would make sense, then, that people don't look, because looking at God could be a dangerous business.

On what other occasions do they recite the Birkas Cohanim?

The first aliyah to Sefer Torah during K'rias haTorah--is that the first parsha reading of the year?

Are Levi and the Cohanim not the same thing?

[Yovel]

Correct me if I am wrong. I think Cohanim are direct decendants of Aahron.

[HaNotsri]

K'rias haTorah basically means "the reading of the Torah." The first aliyah is given to a Cohen and the second is given to a Levi (provided they are present). That goes for anytime the Torah is read and they are present.

Technically, all Cohanim are Levi'im (though they aren't designated as such), but not all Levi'im are Cohanim. Levi had three sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (according to Genesis). Kohath's son Amram is the father of Moses and Aaron. The Cohanim are descendents of Aaron only. The Levi'im are descendents of Moses.

The Birkas Cohanim was said in the Temple after every morning sacrifice, on the Sabbath, and other Yomim Tovim. While in the Temple, they would say the Name of God, elsewhere they would use the term "Ad-nai." In the synagogue, I believe they only say it on Shabbat and Yomim Tovim. Though I'd have to check into that. I don't remember that it was done daily during Shacharis at the shul I davened at.

[Graceful]

cohen?

What does cohen mean :confused:

Grace

[Ivy]

K'rias haTorah basically means "the reading of the Torah." The first aliyah is given to a Cohen and the second is given to a Levi (provided they are present). That goes for anytime the Torah is read and they are present.

Technically, all Cohanim are Levi'im (though they aren't designated as such), but not all Levi'im are Cohanim. Levi had three sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (according to Genesis). Kohath's son Amram is the father of Moses and Aaron. The Cohanim are descendents of Aaron only. The Levi'im are descendents of Moses.

The Birkas Cohanim was said in the Temple after every morning sacrifice, on the Sabbath, and other Yomim Tovim. While in the Temple, they would say the Name of God, elsewhere they would use the term "Ad-nai." In the synagogue, I believe they only say it on Shabbat and Yomim Tovim. Though I'd have to check into that. I don't remember that it was done daily during Shacharis at the shul I davened at.

Michael,
:blush: I've forgotten my manners, I realized awhile ago--I never said thank you, but thanks for helping with my questions....time is a gift in our busy world and I appreciate the time you've taken. :)

I've yet to be in a traditional synagogue on Shabbat, since I'm usually with my own cong., so I didn't realize they did the Birkat Cohanim then, too.

There's a blessing I've heard in English (on Yom Kippur in our cong.), and I'm wondering if it's the same one as this---going off the top of my head, here, but some of it is, "May the reverence and and fear of Him be before you all your days.....May you have wise sons and daughters who will occupy themselves with Torah and good deeds...." There's quite a lot to this blessing I'm thinking of, it's lengthier than some.

[HaNotsri]

What does cohen mean :confused:

Grace

Grace,

A Cohen is a priest. They're descendents of Aaron, Moses' brother.

Michael,
:blush: I've forgotten my manners, I realized awhile ago--I never said thank you, but thanks for helping with my questions....time is a gift in our busy world and I appreciate the time you've taken. :)

I've yet to be in a traditional synagogue on Shabbat, since I'm usually with my own cong., so I didn't realize they did the Birkat Cohanim then, too.

There's a blessing I've heard in English (on Yom Kippur in our cong.), and I'm wondering if it's the same one as this---going off the top of my head, here, but some of it is, "May the reverence and and fear of Him be before you all your days.....May you have wise sons and daughters who will occupy themselves with Torah and good deeds...." There's quite a lot to this blessing I'm thinking of, it's lengthier than some.

Ivy,

No problem...it's what I like to do. I feel given my experiences in Judaism I may have a unique perspective or something to offer the Christian world given my experiences.

Now that I think about it though, I don't believe that Birkas Cohanim is said every Shabbos. I'll try in dig up some of my own seferim and see what I can find. It may only be said on Yom Tov.

As far as what is said:

יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶך
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Y'varecha HaShem, v'yish'm'recha
Ya'eir HaShem panaiv elecha, vichunecha
Yisa HaShem panaiv elecha, v'yasem l'cha shalom

My translation:

The Lord bless you and guard you
The Lord make His countenance (or face) shine upon you and be gracious (or kind) to you
The Lord lift His countenance (or face) to you and grant you peace

Of course, it's no merely said in shul. It's drawn out in unison usually and with a niggun (a melody) to go with it!

Michael

[Ivy]

I feel given my experiences in Judaism I may have a unique perspective or something to offer the Christian world given my experiences.

Michael









I hope you keep on doing that :thumbsup: Judaism is a rich and wonderful heritage.

So the Birkas Cohanim and the Aaronic Blessing are the same thing. The melody I heard in the C-L shul on Rosh Hashannah was different, though, from what I've usually heard; it somehow seemed longer, too.

That other blessing I (partially) quoted, did that ring a bell? I'd like to know the official title and read the Hebrew sometime.