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		Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » High Holidays » Yom Kippur » Guide » On Yom Kippur » Services At A Glance » Musaf Service

3 Comments

Musaf Service

The Musaf Service--which is held immediately following the Morning Service) consists of the Musaf Amidah, the cantor's repetition of the Amidah, the avodah -- a recounting of the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple -- and the priestly blessing.

Priestly Blessing
The priests, or kohanim, direct descendants of Aaron, the High Priest, are commanded to bless the Jewish people with a three-fold blessing. It is customary to perform this duty during the Musaf service on festival days. In preparation for the blessing, the priests remove their shoes and the Levites ritually wash their hands, they then gather at the front or by the eastern wall of the synagogue.

During the blessing, one must not gaze at the Priests directly as the Divine Presence rests upon them. It is customary for men to cover their eyes with their prayer shawls, and for women to gaze into their prayer books.

After the blessing, it is customary to thank the Priests with the words, Yishar Koach.

3 Comments


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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Oct 6, 2011

Re: Birchas Cohanim

You're right that they are simply fulfilling a commandment. However, commentaries point out that this is similar to what we find in the Talmud Bava Kama 92b "Raba [further] said to Rabbah b. Mari: Whence can be derived the popular saying, 'Though the wine belongs to the owner, the thanks are given to the butler'? He replied: As it is written (Numbers 27:18-20), "And thou shalt put of thy honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hearken, and it is also written (Deuteronomy 34:9), "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him...."

I.e. Though the spirit of wisdom belongs to G-d it is nevertheless ascribed to Moses. Same too here, we thank the Kohanim, even though the blessing is from G-d.

Posted By Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org

Posted: Oct 5, 2011

Birchas Cohanim

"After the blessing, it is customary to thank the Priests with the words, Yishar Koach."

Why?

The Kohanim are fulfilling a Torah command and really have little option.

I once asked a Kohen if he loved me! Then I knew I could give him a yishar koach.

Otherwise, what does your comment add to the priestly blessing?

Why do you want to thank someone for doing what he is born to do? It is halachah!

Posted By Anonymous, Telshestone, Israel

Posted: Sep 13, 2006

Birchas Kohanim

I think you forgot to include in the description of Birchas Kohanim is that huge passage that is said if someone had a bad dream and wants to make sure it goes away.
Its a very usefully and can befound in alot of Machzarim (special prayer books for the Holidays) especially Artscroll.

Posted By Tova

Services At A Glance


	Kol Nidrei


	Morning Service


	Musaf Service


	Afternoon Service


	Closing Services


	Text of Al Chet


	Text of Kapparot

More articles on
		Yom Kippur (133 articles)