All There Is to Know About the Levi’s Obligation to Wash the Kohen’s Hands for Birchas Kohanim

Insights Into Halachah

In this week’s parsha we learn about the machlokes between Korach and his assembly with Moshe Rabbeinu. Although Korach and his assembly were Levi’im, it was insufficient for them, and they desired to serve as a Kohanim. Moshe Rabbeinu rebuked them: ויאמר משה אל קרח שמעו נא בני לוי. המעט מכם כי הבדיל אלקי ישראל אתכם מעדת ישראל להקריב אתכם אליו את עבדת משכן ה' ולעמד לפני העדה לשרתם – “Moshe said to Korach, ‘please listen son of Levi. Is it not sufficient for you that the G-d of Yisroel has separated you from the nation, drawing you close to Him to perform His service in the Mishkon, and to stand before the nation in service?’” (Bamidbar 16:8-9).

The words of Moshe express the special separation of shevet Levi from the rest of the Jewish People. The entire shevet Levi were separated for the service of Hashem. Kohanim have an extra elevation, in that they are holy to Hashem—an elevation that Korach denied in his claim that: כי כל העדה כולם קדושים ובתוכם ה' - ”the entire nation is holy, and Hashem is among them”—but this does not negate the special status of the entire shevet Levi.

Nowadays, a prominent expression of a Levi’s special nature is connected to Birchas Kohanim. While only Kohanim bless the people, the custom is that Levi’im wash the hands of the Kohanim, as the Shulchan Aruch notes: והלוי יוצק מים על ידיהם - ”the Levi pours water on their hands” (Orach Chaim 128:6). Consequently, this week we will take the liberty to discuss various halachos related to this topic.

Who Washes the Kohanim’s Hands?

Based on a pasuk in Tehillim (134) that states: שאו ידיכם קודש וברכו את ה' - ”Raise your hands in the sanctuary and bless Hashem”—the Gemara teaches that a Kohen who does not wash his hands may not participate in Birchas Kohanim (Sotah 39a). Before the Kohanim raise their hands in blessing the people, they must first sanctify their hands by washing them (Mishnah Berurah 128:19).

Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 128:6) rules that even if a Kohen already washed his hands upon awakening in the morning, he must do so again prior to blessing the people.

However, the Gemara makes no mention of who washes the Kohanim’s hands. In fact, from the Gemara it would seem like the Kohanim wash their own hands. However, the Shulchan Aruch (128:6) rules that the task of washing the Kohanim’s hands is specifically given to the Levi’im. The source for this halachah is a teaching of the Zohar (Vol. 3, p. 146a-b), that the Kohen gains extra holiness by washing his hands from those who are themselves holy—the Levi’im.

According to the Zohar, this enhancement of the Kohanim cannot be achieved by a Kohen washing his own hands, or by the washing of a fellow Kohen, it comes specifically from the washing of a Levi. As the Maharash HaLevi (no. 9) writes, “Perhaps this is the means by which the Shechinah will rest on the hands of the Kohanim, and Hashem will thus agree to the blessing, because the hands are sanctified by the Levi.”

In a practical sense, the Maharash HaLevi adds that “although it is not explicit in the Gemara or in [early] poskim, the Zohar commands it… and one should certainly uphold its laws and obligations.” As noted, this halachah is ruled by the Shulchan Aruch. The Mateh Moshe also writes, “when the Kohen washes his hands he should have them washed specifically by a Levi—as stated in the Zohar.”

The Aruch HaShulchan (Orach Chaim 128:15) adds an additional reason for Levi’im to wash the Kohanim’s hands: it is reminiscent of the Beis HaMikdosh, where the Levi’im assisted the Kohanim in the service of the Mikdosh. It is therefore fitting that even in blessing the people, which remains today of the Kohanim’s role in the Beis HaMikdosh, the Levi’im should play a supporting role.

Washing Levi’im’s Hands

Citing Safra de’Tzniusa, the Zohar states further that before washing the hands of the Kohanim, the Levi’im should wash their own hands. This halachah is noted by the Shulchan Aruch. The Levush (128:7) offers a simple rationale: “For how can they add holiness, if they themselves are not sanctified?”

Yet, the Rema (128:6) writes that the common custom is that Levi’im do not wash their own hands before washing the Kohanim’s hands, and today it seems that the practice of Levi’im washing their own hands is not widespread.

Nonetheless, the Mishnah Berurah (23, based on Magen Avraham and Bach) writes that if the Levi’im were distracted from guarding their hands (from anything unclean) since the last time they washed their hands, and certainly if they touched something unclean (such as a covered part of the body), they should wash their own hands first.

Moreover, the Kenesses Hagedolah (glosses to Beis Yosef 128) writes that the simple custom is for Levi’im to wash their own hands. This ruling is cited by the Kaf HaChaim (128:42), who concludes that “it is correct for any G-d-fearing person to wash his own hands before the Kohanim’s hands, even where the general custom is not to do so, in order to fulfill the Zohar’s instructions.”

Even on Yom Kippur and on Tisha B’Av, when it is generally forbidden to wash one’s hands, Levi’im who wash their hands throughout the year should wash their own hands before washing those of the Kohanim (Maharash HaLevi 9). Yet, unlike the Kohanim’s hands, on these days the Levi’im should wash their own hands only up to the knuckles (Mateh Ephraim 621:17; see, however, Mo’ed Lekol Chai, Customs of Yom Kippur).

Leaving Shul

The Shevet HaLevi (8:47) rules that Levi’im should wash the hands of the Kohanim, even if this involves leaving shul and missing part of chazoras hashatz (and they will be unable to answer amen to some of the berachos). However, he should not leave shul if he is needed to maintain the minyan of people answering (see Shu”t Shevet HaLevi 8:47; Shu”t Teshuvos V’hanhagos 3:48). The door to the shul should preferably be left open, so that the Kohanim and Leviyim outside the shul will be able to see people inside, and therefore be part of the minyan (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 55:14; see Mishnah Berurah 55:18 and 55:52).

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch adds that although normally as long as six people remain it’s ok, it’s only bedieved and the principal mitzvah of chazoras hashatz was enacted for a minyan of ten. Consequently, in a case where less than ten men will remain in shul, a Levi should not exit the shul to wash the Kohanim’s hands. In such a case the mitzvah of chazoras hashatz takes precedence over the lesser obligation of washing the Kohanim’s hands.

Moreover, where there are other Levi’im available to wash the Kohanim’s hands, Rabbi Sternbuch writes that it is better for a Levi to stay in shul (and answer amen to chazoras hashatz) than to leave to wash hands. In his words, “the mitzvah of answering amen is very great indeed,” and it should not be missed where other Levi’im are available to wash the Kohanim’s hands.

However, on Yom Tov Rabbi Sternbuch concedes that all Levi’im should try to wash the Kohanim’s hands, for in doing so they assert their status as bring part of shevet Levi. Rabbi Sternbuch writes that this was the practice of the Brisker Rav (who was a Levi), who was careful to wash the Kohanim’s hands on Yom Tov. Certainly, in Chutz La’aretz when Birchas Kohanim only takes place on Yom Tov, it is common for Levi’im to be very particular about washing Kohanim’s hands.

Walking in Front of Somebody Davening Shemonah Esrei

In previous generations some had the custom of washing the Kohanim’s hands in the shul itself. The Mekor Chaim (128:6) describes how three Levi’im would surround a single Kohen, one of them holding a pitcher of water, a second carrying a bowl in which to collect the water, and a third bringing a towel. The Levi’im thus catered to all the Kohen’s hand-washing needs (see also Eliyah Rabbah 128:4; Mordechai, Megillah 817).

Today, it is normal for Levi’im to wash the Kohanim’s hands outside the main shul, raising the question of passing in front of those still davening shemonah esrei. As a general rule “it is forbidden to pass in front of those who are davening” (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 102). Is this rule waived for the purpose of washing the Kohanim’s hands?

Concerning the Kohen himself, the poskim write that it is permitted for a Kohen to pass in front of somebody davening in order to wash his own hands, since this is done for performing a mitzvah (Eishel Avraham 102). This is particularly true since for the Kohen the very departure from his place for the sake of giving the berachah is a mitzvah (see Shu”t Minchas Yitzchok 8:10). This ruling is also given in the name of Rav Elyashiv (see Daled Amos Shel Tefillah Vol. 1, Biurim Chap. 7, 1:3), and is supported by the general custom (see HaBerachah HaMeshuleshes 4:19).

Yet, concerning the Levi, Rabbi Mordechai Potash (Daled Amos Shel Tefillah p. 61) writes that one should not pass in front of somebody davening, because a Kohen having his hands washed by a Levi is only an added virtue and not a full obligation (the same ruling is given by Shu”t Anaf Eitz Avos no. 9). Rabbi Menachem Mendel Paksher (HaBerachah HaMeshuleshes, p. 174) explains further that the principle mitzvah of washing hands is incumbent on the Kohen rather than the Levi: that is, the Kohen is obligated to wash his hands by means of a Levi. Therefore, even where there is no other Levi to wash the Kohen’s hands, the Levi may not cross in front of somebody who is in the middle of davening.

Yet, where the Levi will not be passing directly in front of somebody davening, but only crossing the area at a diagonal, there is room for leniency. There is a machlokes haposkim about whether one can walk pass someone who is davening diagonally. (The Magen Avraham is stringent, but Eliyah Rabbah is lenient). On the account of the doubt involved, one may be lenient for the sake of washing the Kohanim’s hands. This is especially true when there is no other Levi to do it.

Should a Talmid Chocham Wash a Kohen’s Hands?

If a Levi is a talmid chocham, and the Kohen whose hands must be washed is not, some poskim write that the Levi may refrain from washing the Kohen’s hands (Magen Avraham 128:7; Maharash HaLevi 9) but it is better in general that he should wash the Kohen’s hands. The Pri Chodosh is particularly stringent in this matter, writing that it is forbidden for a Levi who is a talmid chocham to wash the hands of Kohen who is not, since he thereby degrades the honor of the Torah.

However, even according to this opinion, if a group of Kohanim includes talmiday chocham, the Levi must wash the hands of all the Kohanim, and not distinguish between one and another (for doing so would cause the non-talmid chocham to be ashamed).

Other poskim write that even if there are no Kohanim who are talmiday chocham, a Levi talmid chocham should nonetheless wash the hands of the Kohanim (Kenesses Hagedolah, cited in Be’er Heitev 128:8).

The Shulchan Aruch HaRav (128:11) writes that while there is no obligation upon a Levi who is a talmid chocham to wash the non-talmid chocham Kohen’s hands (explaining that the potential for dispute over this matter is slight), it is nevertheless permitted for the Levi to do so. He explains, by washing the Kohen’s hands he is adding kedusha to the mitzvah of Birchas Kohanim, rather than serving the non-talmid chocham, and there is nothing wrong with a talmid chocham degrading himself if by doing so he improves the mitzvah, and on the contrary this is considered an honor for him.

Others add that this is a worthy practice, even if not obligatory (Maharash HaLevi). The Mishnah Berurah (128:22), writes that a Levi should be stringent in this matter and wash the Levi’s hands. Rabbi Sternbuch notes that certainly on Yom Tov, even a Levi who is a talmid chocham should ensure that he washes the Kohanim’s hands.

Several Levi’im Together

Where a Levi who is a talmid chocham is present among other Levi’im, Rabbi Sternbuch writes that the other Levi’im should honor him by allowing him to wash the Kohanim’s hands alone. Moreover, he casts doubt concerning the general worthiness of the custom whereby several Levi’im join together (holding the washing-cup together) in washing a Kohen’s hands, stating that it is preferable for a single Levi to do the washing. Rav Eliyashiv also is said (Shevet HaKehosi 2:57) to have ruled that only one Levi should pour, since that is the usual way people pour water.

However, the common custom, particularly in Ashkenazi communities, is for several Levi’im to hold the washing-cup together. It is possible that this custom emerged from the situation of Ashkenazi communities outside Eretz Yisroel, where Birchas Kohanim is only conducted on Yom Tov, and all the Levi’im wanted to join in the infrequent mitzvah of washing hands. Indeed, the Leket Kemach HaChodash (128:45) writes that the custom of several Levi’im washing the hands of a single Kohen is only practiced among Ashkenazi communities. (He notes that in some Ashkenazi communities, such as Frankfurt, a particular family of Levi’im was appointed for washing hands.)

No Levi’im?

Several poskim write that where no Levi’im are present, a firstborn (from his mother) should wash the hands of the Kohanim (Bach in the name of Maharil ; Taz 128:4; Magen Avraham 128:7). This custom is cited by the Mishnah Berurah (128:22).

The Kaf HaChaim cites this halachah in the name of the Ben Ish Chai, yet concludes: “However, I have not seen anybody practicing this custom, and it appears that they rely on the simple reading of the Zohar, which implies that only a Levi washes the Kohen’s hands. If there is no Levi, the Kohen should wash his own hands.” Today, the washing of Kohanim’s hands by firstborns is virtually unheard of.

The poskim add that a Yisroel should not wash the Kohanim’s hands, and where there are no Levi’im or firstborns present, a Kohen should wash his own hands. Shu”t Nishal L’Dovid (91) writes at length on the question of whether one Kohen can wash the hands of a fellow Kohen, but the widespread custom is that a Kohen washes his own hands.

Conclusion

We have seen that although the Shulchan Aruch rules that a Levi must wash the Kohen’s hands, the fact that this obligation is sourced in the Zohar rather than in classical halachic sources has several ramifications.

While Levi’im should certainly be careful not to neglect their duties in washing the Kohanim’s hands (see Igros Moshe 4:127), considerations of leaving enough people in shul, or answering amen to the chazoras hashatz or walking in front of somebody still davening, should be taken into account.

The concept of the mitzvah, moreover, is for the enhancement of the Kohen’s blessing by the Levi joining in his purification. If there is already a Levi to wash the Kohen’s hand, there is much less of a duty for other Levi’im to leave shul in order to join him. Nonetheless, on Yom Tov, all Levi’im are particular to participate in the customary washing.