A common question that arises is whether a Levite may pass in front of somebody praying the Amidah prayer on his way to wash the Kohanim’s hands.
In previous generations some Levites had the custom of washing the Kohanim’s hands in the shul itself. The Mekor Chaim (128:6) describes how three Levites 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 Levites thus catered for all the Kohen’s hand-washing needs (see also Eliyah Rabbah 128:4; Mordechai, Megillah 817).
Today, the virtually universal custom is for Levites to wash the Kohanim’s hands outside the main shul, giving rise to the question of passing in front of those still praying—for as a general rule “it is forbidden to pass in front of those who are praying” (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 102).
With regard to the Kohen himself, authorities write that it is permitted for a Kohen to pass in front of somebody praying in order to wash his hands. Although it is generally forbidden to do so, where one needs to do it for performing a mitzvah it is permitted to pass in front of somebody praying (Eishel Avraham 102). Even if one may not do so for the sake of a regular mitzvah (authorities dispute the ruling), in the case of the Kohanim the very departure from one’s place for the sake of giving the blessing is a mitzvah, and it is therefore permitted to pass in front of those still praying (see Minchas Yitzchak 8:10). This ruling is also given in the name of Rav Elyashiv (see Dalet Amos Shel Tefillah Vol. 1, Biurim Chap. 7, 1:3), and is supported by the general custom (see Haberachah Hameshuleshes 4:19).
Yet, with regard to the Levi, Rabbi Mordechai Potash (Dalet Amos Shel Tefillah p. 61) writes that one should not pass in front of somebody praying, because washing hands from a Levite is only an “added virtue” (the same ruling is given by Shut 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 (the Kohen is obligated to wash his hands by means of a Levite). Therefore, even where there is no other Levi to wash the Kohen’s hands, the Levi may not cross the path of somebody in prayer.
Yet, where the Levi will not be passing directly in front of somebody praying, but only entering his path on a diagonal, there is room for leniency. Authorities dispute the halachah of Passing in front of somebody on a diagonal (Magen Avraham is stringent, but Eliyah Rabbah is lenient), and on account of the doubt involved, one may be lenient for the sake of washing the Kohanim’s hands—particularly where there is no other Levite to do it.
