Opuscula Cohen’s blessing: This way and that

THE TORAH TELLS COHENIM

I cannot offer a translation, but most sidurim used in synagogues outside of Israel include translations into the local language.

Over the years — I’m in what Avot calls the “the fullness of (my) years*” — I have visited many different synagogues. In Sefardi congregations, the cohen(s) bless the congregation at least once every day.

* Pirkei Avot 5:21

Ashkenazim have different traditions.

But while I’m not supposed to look at the cohenim as the recite, word for word, the blessing, I do look.

I’m interested in how they move.

According to Moroccan tradition, at least as it’s set down in the Sedur Avotanu (one of two Moroccan sidurim I own, the other being VyZerach HaShemesh), I read that

IF the instructions in the small print above apply across the board, then it behooves rabbis to train their cohenim. It is unfortunate that (apparently) only a few sidurim include “How To” instructions

Somewhere, perhaps at Ellis Island where Israels became Cohens and Levys at the whim of a U.S. official unable to pronounce — let alone spell — the names of the new immigrants, there became a plethora of pseudo -cohens and levi’im.

Eventually, over the years, perhaps some of these ersatz cohenim came to believe they really ARE direct descendents of Aaron, the first Cohen Gadol.

Or, perhaps, the father of a real cohen forgot what his father taught him so he was unable to pass along the traditions. Sad.

The same can be said for the levi’im. They don’t have a lot to do now; one of the things they still do is pour water over the hands of the cohenim before the cohenim go to the aron to bless the congregation. As an Israel I once in a “blue moon” find myself a “pour man” and, frankly, I don’t know what to do.

An aside. Unless you are a cohen, visit a Jewish cemetery and pay heed to the markers. A cohen’s marker often has two uplifted hands; a levy’s stone often includes a pitcher. Actually, a visit to any cemetery is interesting; some stones offer a clue the person’s history; stones of infants and youngsters suggest a plague or other disaster took its toll on a community. It’s hardly “morbid,” but assuredly fascinating.

We have classes in many things, but I fail to recall ever hearing of a class for cohenim — or livi’im, either.

I’m not certain if the Moroccan way (ibid.) is the only way, and I’m open to being educated. (Yohanon.Glenn@gmail.com)

I’m always amazed at how many things Jews have in common regardless of where they lived for centuries. All (observant) Jewish men put on tallit and tefillin — albeit with some differences in the procedures — and all (observant) Jewish women light Shabat and holiday lights.

Bottom line: I am not a rabbi and I don’t play one on tv. I DO cite my sources.

 

 

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.