2710 —פרטים בברכות הכהנים

B"H, 5 Sivan, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m oseik b'tzt"z etc. Moreinu Harav Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letters have been received. Regarding what I asked you earlier about Rashi (Sotah 39b) on the words "from," that when the last Amen is finished, the Kohanim turn their faces and the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) begins Sim Shalom, and the Kohanim pray Ribono Shel Olam, etc.—but in the Gemara it says that the Kohanim do not turn until the shaliach tzibbur begins Sim Shalom (see Chavot Yair on Rif at end of Megillah), and no other Rishon agrees with Rashi here.

It can be explained that Rashi's view is logically necessary (see Tosafot d.h. Iba'it—Shevuot 22b; Sdei Chemed, Klalim, entry Svara) and from the Gemara. From the Gemara: it says that Kohanim are not permitted to begin another blessing until Amen is finished; this implies that immediately afterward they may do so. According to Rashi, this refers to the blessing of Ribono Shel Olam, similar to what Beit Yosef writes and proves; see Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 128:26 at end of section. Logically: (a) The prayer of Ribono Shel Olam by the Kohanim is a continuation of Birkat Kohanim, so it must be adjacent to it (in addition to what was explained in subsection 7), and before this they must turn their faces so they can pray toward the direction where the Shechinah is present; (b) Even though one could connect saying Ribono Shel Olam with Sim Shalom—as they are one matter—what reason is there for face-to-face positioning of Kohanim and congregation after finishing the last Amen when Birkat Kohanim has ended? And all poskim—including Admur Hazaken—ruled otherwise. What is stated in the Gemara that they may not turn until shaliach tzibbur begins Sim Shalom—Rashi would explain as necessarily following Rashal's interpretation cited in your letter. This can be clarified: Rav Chisda used this wording which is not precise because of its ending "until he finishes," which is his main innovation.

Since Tosafot d.h. V'chi (Sotah 39a) brings Rashi without commenting on this point, it implies he agrees with him. What Levush writes in Orach Chaim 128:15—that they turn their faces when saying "V'tov b'einecha," etc.—has already been questioned in Sefer Ko Tevarachu under entry Tefillah. Also see Levush itself there at section 17. There isn't time now to elaborate.

As we approach Shavuot—the time of giving our Torah and its acceptance—may I hereby express my blessing, in the wording of my revered father-in-law, Admur zatzal: To receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

Summary

This letter delves into halachic details about Birkat Kohanim, highlighting how careful analysis of sources leads to deeper understanding in Torah study. The Rebbe encourages approaching Torah with both joy and inner depth as Shavuot approaches.