The Kohen and the Mitzva of Birkas Kohanim
In the previous issue (354), we discussed some general halachos about the mitzva of Birkas Kohanim, e.g., whether the mitzva is only on the Kohen (par. 2) or also the Yisroel (3); the minhagim of Birkas Kohanim in Eretz Yisroel (18) and chutz l’aretz (7); and what to do when someone from one place finds himself in another place with a different minhag. In this issue and the next, we will focus on the halachos of how to fulfill the mitzva of Birkas Kohanim.
One Kohen, Two Kohanim
There is a machlokes Rishonim whether a single Kohen in shul fulfills the mitzvas asei d’oraisa or whether only two or more Kohanim can be yotzei the d’oraisa chiyuv of the mitzva.
Two. Some hold only two Kohanim above bar mitzva doing Birkas Kohanim fulfill the mitzva d’oraisa; a single Kohen does not (ר"ת בתוס' מנחות דף מ"ד ע"א ד"ה כל כהן).
Single Kohen. Others argue and hold a single Kohen also has a mitzvas asei d’oraisa to give a bracha to the tzibbur (מאירי סוטה דף ל"ח ע"א, מהרל"ח והט"ז סק"ג ). In fact, when there is one Kohen, the chiyuv d’oraisa is even if he was not called up (שם ), unlike when there are two Kohanim, when the chiyuv d’oraisa only applies after they are called up (below, 7) (מחצית השקל סקט"ז, פמ"ג משב"ז ג' ).
Thus, some try to make sure to have two or more Kohanim for Birkas Kohanim to fulfill the mitzvas asei d’oraisa according to all opinions.
