Yom Kippur

Question:

On Yom Kippur and Tisha B’av are the leviyim who wash the kohanim’s hands supposed to wash their own hands first?

Introduction:

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

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim Siman 128 Se’if 6) rules that a levi should wash the hands of the kohanim [before birkas kohanim], and prior to this the levi should wash his own hands.

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].

Although the Beis Yosef does quote 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, rather 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 [prior to tefilla] it is correct for him to first wash his own hands [before washing the hands of the kohen].

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 certainly if the leviyim touched [a covered] part of the body.

Discussion: Regarding washing on Yom Kippur, the Beis Yosef (Orach Chayim Siman 613) quotes the Yereim who maintains that kohanim are allowed to wash their hands before birkas kohanim. The Darkei Moshe (ibid) quotes the Maharil who also permitted this.

In Hilchos Yom Kippur the Remo (Siman 613 Se’if 3) writes that kohanim are allowed to wash their hands prior to birkas kohanim even if their hands are “tehoros” because washing that is not for pleasure is permitted.

The Mateh Ephrayim (Siman 621 Se’if 17) and the Mishna Berura (s.k. 7) write that the kohanim are allowed on Yom Kippur to wash their entire hand until the wrist. I.e., although regarding netilas yodayim (for tefilla) it is only permitted on Yom Kippur to wash one’s fingers until the knuckles, here where the kohanim are supposed to wash their entire hand before birkas kohanim (as per Shulchan Aruch Siman 128 Se’if 6) it is correct to do so on Yom Kippur as well.

The Magen Avraham (ibid s.k. 3) quoting the Rash Halevi and Radbaz writes that it is also permitted for leviyim to wash their hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim, in an area where this is the minhag [that the leviyim wash their own hands before washing the hands of the kohanim].

The Mateh Ephrayim (ibid) also writes that it is permitted for the leviyim to wash their own hands first, if this is the minhag, but he writes that the leviyim are only allowed to wash their fingers until their knuckles.
Conclusion: On Yom Kippur and Tisha B’av the kohanim are allowed to wash their hands prior to birkas kohanim even if their hands are “tehoros”. The Mateh Ephrayim and the Mishna Berura write that the kohanim are allowed to wash their entire hand until the wrist.
According to the Magen Avraham it is also permitted on Yom Kippur for leviyim to wash their hands prior to washing the hands of the kohanim, in an area where this is the minhag.
The Mateh Ephrayim writes that the leviyim on Yom Kippur are only allowed to wash their fingers until their knuckles.