Birkas Kohanim

Question:

What is the source that a levi should wash the hands of the kohen prior to birkas kohanim? And is this the correct practice?

Discussion:

The first source that we find that mentions such a practice is the Zohar (Parshas Noso 146b). The Zohar writes that a kohen should endeavour to “add kedusha to his kedusha” before birkas kohanim which the Zohar explains to mean that he should have his hands washed by an individual who “is kodosh” i.e. a levi.

The Zohar (ibid) also writes that the levi who intends to wash the hands of the kohen should first sanctify himself [i.e. wash his own hands first].

The Beis Yosef (Orach Chayim Siman 128) writes that he heard that the custom in Spain was that the leviyim would wash the hands of the Kohanim [prior to birkas kohanim]. The Beis Yosef writes that he wondered what the source of this minhag was until he found the aforementioned Zohar.

Although the Beis Yosef also quotes the second part of the Zohar that writes that the leviyim should wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim, the Remo writes in Darkei Moshe that this is not the minhag; and the minhag is that the leviyim do not wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim.

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim Siman 128 Se’if 6) writes that a levi should wash the hands of the kohanim, and prior to this the levi should wash his own hands.
The Remo comments here as well that this is not the custom (for the leviyim to wash their own hands first); rather they rely on their washing in the morning [before tefilla].

The Magen Avraham (s.k. 8) quotes the Bach who writes that if the levi touched a part of the body that requires one to wash his hands it is correct for him to first wash his own hands [before washing the hands of the kohen].

The Magen Avraham (ibid) also quotes the Knesses Hagdolah who quotes an opinion that maintains that if the levi is a Talmid Chochom and the kohanim are not (“amei ho’oretz”) the levi is not required to wash the hands of the kohanim; rather the kohanim should wash their own hands. And although the Knesses Hagdolah also quotes a dissenting opinion, he writes that if some of the kohanim are Talmidei Chachomim, then the levi should wash the hands of all the kohanim.

The Pri Chodosh writes that it is not imperative that the kohanim have their hands washed by a levi, therefore if the levi is a Talmid Chochom and the kohen is not, the levi should not wash the hands of the kohen. And even if some of the kohanim are Talmidei Chachomim, the levi Talmid Chochom is only allowed to wash the hands of the kohanim Talmidei Chachomim but not the kohanim amei ho’oretz.

The Mishna Berura (s.k. 22) writes that even if the levi is a Talmid Chochom and the kohen is not, the levi should wash the hands of the kohen. And all the more so if some of the kohanim are Talmidei Chachomim, then the levi should wash the hands of all the kohanim.

Regarding the leviyim washing their own hands before washing the hands of the kohanim, the Mishna Berura (s.k. 23, based on the Bach) writes that if the leviyim had hesech hada’as [since the last time they washed their hands] it would be commendable for them to wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim. And all the more so if the leviyim touched [a covered] part of the body.

The Kaf Hachayim (s.k. 42) writes that although the minhag is that the leviyim do not wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim, it is correct for a prudent individual to be stringent and wash his hands (as per the aforementioned Zohar) before washing the hands of the kohanim.

Conclusion: The Shulchan Aruch (based on the Zohar) writes that a levi should wash the hands of the kohanim, and prior to this washing the levi should wash his own hands first. The Remo comments that this is not the custom; rather the leviyim rely on their washing in the morning [before tefilla].

Regarding the leviyim washing their own hands before washing the hands of the kohanim, the Mishna Berura writes that if the leviyim had hesech hada’as since the last time they washed their hands it would be commendable for them to wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim. And all the more so if the leviyim touched a covered part of the body.

The Kaf Hachayim writes that although the minhag is that the leviyim do not wash their own hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim, it is correct for a prudent individual to be stringent and wash his hands (as per the Zohar) before washing the hands of the kohanim.