Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Birkat Kohanim in the Days of Mashiach

This is from the Hakhel Email - what amazing hashgacha considering I haven't updated this in awhile and it goes right along with our topic!

Special Note Four: Let us take just one example of how everything will be different when the final Geulah comes. One of the vestiges of the service in the Bais HaMikdash practiced even today to some extent in Eretz Yisroel and Chutz La’Aretz is Birkas Kohanim, which we caught a glimpse of during Shavuos and in last week’s Parsha. The Mishna in Sotah (37B), however, provides a list of differences between the Birkas Kohanim as we know it today and the Birkas Kohanim in its pristine form in the Bais Hamikdash:
1. Outside of the Mikdash, they are three separate Brachos--whereas in the Bayis it is one uninterrupted bracha.
2. Outside of the Mikdash, the Shem Hashem is pronounced in the same manner as when we make all other brachos, whereas in the Mikdash the Ineffable Shem is used.
3. Outside of the Mikdash, Kohanim lift their hands to shoulder height, whereas in the Mikdash the hands are raised above their heads with the Shechina above their fingers.
Thus, even what we can do now will simply be performed on a more sublime and supernal level when the Bais Hamikdash returns. We have much to look forward to!

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