Like Receiving a Bracha from Hashem
30. We mentioned (above, 3) that some hold there is also a mitzvas asei for a Yisroel to receive the bracha. Even if it is not a mitzva, there is certainly an element of mitzva in listening to Birkas Kohanim, as doing so demonstrates emuna in the bracha of Hashem via Birkas Kohanim. The more one believes and internalizes the emuna and awareness of Hashem, to accept upon himself Hashem’s malchus and that Hashem is the Source of all brachos, the more he makes himself fit to receive the abundant flow of bracha, as the posuk says, “ושמו את שמי על בני ישראל ואני אברכם” (עקידת יצחק שער ע''ד ).
31. Opening the hands as if receiving something. Lately, there are those who, as a segula, open their two hands during Birkas Kohanim, like a person receiving something from his friend. Doing this demonstrates and illustrates the reality that one is truly receiving a bracha from Hashem through his messengers—“These Kohanim are messengers of Hashem” (מפי הגר''א לאפיאן ). [This is akin to the minhag (בן איש חי שנה א' פ' ויגש סי''ב ) of spreading the hands toward Shomayim when saying the posuk “פותח את ידיך” as a symbolic action for one’s mazel to receive the flow of bracha from Above (ודרשת וחקרת מילואים סי' י''ג אות ד' עמ' של''ט ).]
Not Leaving During Birkas Kohanim
32. Thus, one who is in shul when the Kohanim are called up to give a bracha to the tzibbur may not leave the shul if he has not yet heard Birkas Kohanim that day. Even if he did hear it that day, it is proper not to leave while the Kohanim are standing to give the bracha in order to show the importance of the matter (כף החיים ס''ק קמ''ט ).
33. Since there is an element of mitzva for those receiving the bracha as well, they should also have in mind to receive Birkas Kohanim with awe and reverence (כף החיים ס''ק קל''ח ). They should focus on the words of the bracha and not distract themselves by looking around, learning a sefer, or the like. They should certainly not interrupt with speech (שו''ע סי' קכ''ח סכ''ג ).
