Introduction
During a communal prayer, the chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei aloud.
The chazzan’s repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei was initially established in order to allow people who were unable to read and were unfamiliar with the words of the prayers to fulfill their obligation of prayer by hearing it from the chazzan. Before the advent of the printing press, when most individuals did not own their own copies of the prayer book, the chazzan’s repetition was of great importance to many people, for whom it was their only connection to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer.
- During the chazzan’s repetition, one should not speak. One should pay close attention to every word.
- At the end of every blessing, after the chazzan says the words, “Blessed are You, G-d,” the congregation should respond, “Blessed is He and Blessed is His Name.” At the conclusion of each blessing, the congregation responds, “Amen.”
In addition, there are a few passages in the course of the chazzan’s repetition that require a greater degree of participation from the listeners.
Kedushah
Kedushah is one of the most important passages in our prayers. This ancient prayer is based on Biblical verses that describe the prayers of the angels as they praise their Creator. It is recited only during the chazzan’s repetition, which takes place only in the context of a communal prayer service.
- At the conclusion of the second blessing of the chazzan’s repetition, one should move three steps forward, returning to the place where he recited the Shemoneh Esrei, and remain standing there with his legs together.
- As soon as the chazzan has concluded the second blessing, the congregation begins reciting Kedushah with the passage, “We will sanctity You.”
- Kedushah is recited responsively; the congregation recites each phrase and the chazzan repeats it after them.
- At the words “Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh—Holy, holy, holy,” one should direct one’s gaze upward and use one’s heels to bounce upward three times. One should also bounce upward once at the word “Baruch—Blessed” in the next portion of Kedushah.
- Throughout the recitation of Kedushah, a person should have in mind that he is prepared to sacrifice his life for the sanctification of G-d’s Name—i.e., for the sake of observing His commandments.
The Rabbis’ Modim
After the chazzan concludes the third-to-last blessing of his repetition—the blessing regarding the resumption of the Temple service—the congregation recites a shorter version of the Modim (Thanksgiving) blessing. Although this version differs from the one recited during the silent Shemoneh Esrei, its content is similar.
- Like Kedushah, the Rabbis’ Modim is recited only in the context of communal prayer.
- One should bow forward at the beginning of this paragraph and remain in that position until its conclusion.
The blessing of the Kohanim
The blessing of the kohanim (the Priestly Blessing) consists of three consecutive verses from the Book of Numbers in which the kohanim are commanded to bless the Jewish people with G-d’s holy Name.
Who Is a Kohen?
The status of kohen is a component of Jewish tradition that dates back over 3000 years. The first kohen was Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the priesthood has been passed on to his descendants throughout the generations, until today. The status of kohen is determined by patrilineal descent; every kohen transmits it to his sons. Thus, a kohen is assumed to be a direct descendant of Aaron through the male side of his lineage.
When the Temple stood, the kohanim played a central role in the sacrificial service performed there. Now that the Temple has been destroyed, kohanim retain only a few privileges, among them the ability to bestow a special blessing on the Jewish people.
Like Jewishness itself, the kehunah (priesthood) is a special status that is “inherited” from one’s father. If you know that your father and grandfather were both kohanim, this means that you are also a kohen!
Nowadays, it is possible to identify some kohanim based on their family names. Last names such as Cohen and Katz (which is derived from the words kohen tzeddek) generally belong to kohanim.
Let us return to the blessing of the kohanim. In Hebrew, this blessing is also known as “the lifting of the hands” because the kohanim raise their hands with the palms facing the congregation while they recite it. It is also sometimes called “the threefold blessing,” due to the three verses it contains.
This blessing is recited during the chazzan’s repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei at the Shacharit and Mussaf services on Shabbat and holidays. In some congregations (Sephardim and some Ashkenazim, primarily those observing the customs of Jerusalem), the kohanim bless the congregation during the morning services on weekdays as well.
- When no kohanim are present in the synagogue, the chazzan himself recites the blessing of the kohanim.
The Content of the Blessing
The kohanim bless the Jewish people with G-d’s Name as follows:
“May G-d bless you and protect you”—i.e., may G-d “bless” you with material wealth, but may He also “protect” you from thieves or from situations in which your own wealth can blind you and become a cause of danger or arrogance.
“May G-d shine His radiance on you and grant you favor”— i.e., may G-d turn a “shining face” toward you (through Torah study) and cause you to find “favor” in the eyes of everyone who sees you.
“May G-d show favor toward you and place peace before you”—i.e., may G-d remove His anger from you and “place” within you a sense of inner peace and tranquility, leading you to be at peace both with yourself and with others.
An extensive discussion of the Priestly Blessing appears in the Yahaduton dealing with Shabbat.
The following are the main rules that the kohanim, the chazzan, and the congregation must know for this portion of the services.
- The kohanim come to the front of the synagogue when the chazzan recites the blessing regarding the Temple service. They stand facing the Ark until the chazzan signals them to begin the blessing.
- The kohanim recite a special blessing that concludes with the words, “to bless His people Israel with love.” While saying these words, they should turn to face the congregation, with their faces covered by a tallit.
- The chazzan quietly dictates each word of the three verses to the kohanim, and they repeat the words loudly after him, thus blessing the congregation. After each verse, the congregation answers, “Amen.”
- One should not look at the kohanim during their recitation of the Priestly Blessing. Anyone who is wearing a tallit should pull the top of his tallit forward to cover his eyes. A person who does not have a tallit should simply direct his gaze downward to avoid looking at the kohanim. If you have small children with you, you should place them beneath your tallit, as well.
