Amidora

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Birkat Kohanim

Ashkenaz · Weekday · Shacharit · Amidah · Birkat Kohanim

Nusach
Ashkenaz
Edition
Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981

Birkat Kohanim

In Leviticus 9:22, we find that after he completed the Divine offering, Aaron lifted up his hands and blessed the people. In a like manner, his descendants, the Kohanim, uttered the priestly blessing after performing the Temple Service. In our days, on the occasions when the kohanim recite the priestly blessings, they do so immediately after the “We are thankful” prayer which terminates the Avodah (Service) section of the Shemoneh Esrei. When Kohanim do not recite the blessings, the blessings are mentioned by the Chazzan in his repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei.—Avudraham

To be said by the Chazzan

Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us with the threefold blessing of the Torah, written by the hand of Moses, Your servant, pronounced from the mouth of Aaron and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people; as it is said:

Adonoy bless you and guard you.

Adonoy shine His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you.

Adonoy turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.

Rashi paraphrases this blessing with the words יכבש כעסו, “May He withhold His anger.”

Where it comes in the siddur

Texts and sources

Every prayer text in Amidora comes from openly licensed editions published on Sefaria. Only editions released under CC-BY, CC0 or the public domain are included.