1)

What is the significance of Aharon raising his hands?

1.

Sotah, 38a: It teaches us that the Kohanim must perform Birchas Kohanim with raised hands.

2)

Bearing in mind that Aharon raised both hands whilst blessing the people

1.

Hagahos Maimoni in Hilchos Tefilah, 14:3: To teach us that when the Kohanim Duchen, they should raise their right hand slightly above the left one. 1

1

See also Torah Temimah, note 15.

3)

In what state did Aharon say Birchas Kohanim?

1.

Sifra: Standing

4)

What B'rachah did Aharon confer upon the people?

1.

Rashi and Ramban #1: He blessed them with Birchas Kohanim 1 - "Yevarech'cha ... Ya'er ... Yisa". 2

2.

Ramban #2: Aharon raised his hands and blessed the people with a personal, unspecified B'rachah. 3

3.

Ramban #3 (citing the Sifra): He blessed them with Birchas Kohanim, which Hashem commanded him to perform here on this one occasion. In Parshas Naso, Hashem instigated it for all the Kohanim to perform on a regular basis.

1

In which case, Birchas Kohanim, in Beha'aloscha, 6:22-26 must have preceded the current Parshah. See Ramban, who suggests that Hashem commanded him to recite it here on this one occasion, and In Parshas Naso, Hashem instituted it for all the Kohanim to perform on a regular basis.

2

Rashi is coming to teach us that they recited only one B'rachah and not three. See Oznayim la'Torah. See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

3

In the same way as Shlomoh ha'Melech did, in Melachim 1, 8:22. See Ramban.

5)

If the B'rachah with which Aharon blessed the people was Birchas Kohanim, why did his sons not bless them as well?

1.

Ramban: Refer to 9:21:1:3.

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because they were under twenty and their beards had not yet fully grown. 1 Consequently, even if they joined Aharon, it was only to enhance the sound of Birchas Kohanim. 2

1

See Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates at length.

2

See Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates.

6)

From where did Aharon descend?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan: From the Mizbe'ach. 1

1

Not from where he blessed the people, suggesting that the first half of the Pasuk and the second half are inverted (See Sifsei Chachamim).

7)

What is the significance of the fact that Aharon blessed the people after he finished bringing the Korbanos?

1.

Megilah, 18a: It teaches us that Birchas Kohanim should take place after 'Hoda'ah' (Modim). 1

2.

Sotah, 38b: It teaches us that a Kohen who fails to go to Duchen during 'Avodah' is not permitted to Duchen.

1

See Torah Temimah, who explains why after Hoda'ah and not after Avodah.

8)

Why does the Torah not mention that Aharon offered the Minchah?

1.

Moshav Zekenim: Because the Minchah was merely to be Machshir the Korban. 1

2.

Moshav Zekenim: Because the Torah is only concerned with the Zevachim.

1

Moshav Zekenim: 'This is unlike what I explained that the Minchah was a Nedavah'.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

9)

Rashi writes that he gave Birkas Kohanim. This was before Avodah ("va'Yered me'Asos ha'Chatas

1.

Moshav Zekenim (citing the Ri, citing Birkas Kohanim) #1: Our Pasuk is not in the correct order. 1

2.

Moshav Zekenim (citing the Ri) #2: Birkas Kohanim precedes 2 Avodah of Haktarah of limbs. Birkas Retzei corresponds to Zerikas ha'Dam; this precedes Birkas Kohanim.

1

Moshav Zekenim: This is difficult, since Tamid 5:1 teaches that Birkas Kohanim preceded Avodah!

2

Moshav Zekenim says oppositely, but clearly this is a printing mistake. (PF)

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:
Month: Day: Year:
Month: Day: Year:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & Donations • Readers' Feedback • Mailing Lists • Talmud Archives • Ask the Kollel • Dafyomi Weblinks • Dafyomi Calendar • Other Yomi calendars