Can a Senior who can’t stand do Birchas Kohanim?

 

Question:

He is in a wheelchair so he can’t stand, he also can’t keep his hands up for the entire Bracha. Also, being that he has braces on his feet, taking off his shoes is quite an ordeal and uncomfortable for him. However, I should stress that going up to duchan is one of the highlights of his Yom Tov, so is there any room for leniency?

 

Answer:

Standing: A kohen which cannot stand, even just for the small amount of time which it takes to say one of the words of Birchas Kohanim, may not do Birchas Kohanim.

If he is able to stand up and lean on something, there is a Machlokes and he should therefore leave the shul before Retzei. Even if he cannot stand at all, it is preferred for him to leave as well.

If he stayed inside, he may hear the Bracha from the other kohanim and join them by saying the words of Birchas Kohanim.

Lifting Hands: A kohen which cannot hold up his hands without support, should not do Birchas Kohanim.

Shoes: A kohen which cannot remove his shoes, may use non-leather slip-on shoes which are clean and should not stand on a raised platform.

 

Sources:

א. ראה שוע”ר סי’ קכח סכ”ג. והוא ממ”א שם סקכ”א. שעמידה מעכב אפילו בדיעבד. ובמשנ”ב שם סקנ”א וכ”ה בכה”ח שם סק”צ וש”נ שאפילו במקום חולי מעכב. ורוב דברינו לקוחים משם.

ב. ראה שוע”ר ובמשנ”ב שם.

ג. ציץ אליעזר חי”ד סי’ יא.

 

 

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