Isaías 1:15 Halajá: Gray Matter III, Mishneh Torah, Repentance, Mishneh Torah, Prayer and the Priestly Blessing & Shulchan Arukh, Even HaEzer

A question that kohanim who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) might face upon discharge is whether or not they may continue to perform the mitzvah of nesi’at kapayim (raising the hands to bless the people; Bemidbar 6:22-27). The basis of discussion of this issue is the Gemara (Berachot 32b) stating that a kohen who has killed is disqualified from performing nesi’at kapayim. As a source for this principle, the Gemara cites a pasuk from Yeshayahu (1:15), which teaches that because our hands are filled with blood, Hashem ignores us when we extend our hands (interpreted by the Gemara as a reference to nesi’at kapayim). The Rambam (Hilchot Nesi’at Kapayim 15:3) and the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 128:35) codify this passage as normative Halachah. We will cite the rulings of Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Eliezer Waldenberg, and Rav Ovadia Yosef, who focus on the parameters and scope of this prohibition, discussing such issues as whether it applies to one who kills b’oness (under duress), one who kills a nochri, and one who kills in the course of performing a mitzvah.

How superior is the degree of repentance! But yesterday was this sinner separated from the Lord God of Israel, even as it is said:" But your iniquities have separated between you and your God" (Is. 59.2); cries, but received no answer, even as it is said:" "Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear" (Ibid. 1.15); does obey commandments, but they are thrown back in his face, even as it is said: "Who hath required this at your hand, to trample My courts"? (Ibid.–12), and, "Oh that there were even among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on Mine altar in vain!" (Mal. 1.10). But to-day he is connected with the Shekinah, even as it is said: "But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day" (Deut. 4.4); he cries and receives answer momentarily, even as it is said: "And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer" (Is. 65.24); he observes commandments, and they are received with pleasure and joy, even as it is said: "For God hath already accepted thy works" (Ecc. 9.7); moreover, his works are pleasurably anticipated, even as it is said: "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years" (Mal. 3.4).

Transgressions: A priest who had slain a human being, even if he has repented, must not perform this rite, for it is said, "Your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15), and it is further written, "And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you" (Isaiah 1:15). A priest who had worshiped idols, whether under compulsion or in error, even if he had repented, must never perform this rite, for it is said, "Nevertheless, the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem" (II Kings 23:9); and the Priestly Benediction is like the Temple service, as it is said, "To minister unto Him and to bless in His name" (Deuteronomy 10:8). So too, a priest who had become a convert to idolatry, though he returned to Judaism, never performs this rite. The commission of other transgressions is no disqualification.