365. When We Do Duchen at Mincha

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 14:2

The statement in 14:1 that birkas kohanim is not recited on fast days only applies on fast days when both mincha and ne'ilah are recited: namely, Yom Kippur and public fasts that are declared because of crises. However, on fast days when ne’ilah is not recited – meaning days like Tisha b’Av and 17 Tammuz - since the mincha service is recited close to sunset, it is similar to ne’ilah and it will not be confused with the regular mincha. Therefore, birkas kohanim is recited on such fasts. If a kohein acted improperly and went to duchen during mincha on Yom Kippur, since it is common knowledge that there is no danger of him imbibing alcohol on that day, he may recite birkas kohanim. He is not required to go down because of the concern that people may suspect that there is something disqualifying about him personally.

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 14:3

Outside of the Temple, the priestly benediction is recited as follows: When the shaliach tzibbur reaches the blessing of R’tzei, all the kohanim in shul get up, move forward, and ascend the platform. They stand facing the aron, backs to the congregation. They keep their fingers closed against their palms until the shaliach tzibbur finishes the bracha of Modim. The kohanim turn around so that they are facing the congregation. They spread out their fingers, raise their hands to shoulder height, and begin reciting the first of the three blessings, which is “Y'varechecha….” The shaliach tzibbur prompts them a word at a time and they repeat after him. We learn that they should be prompted from Numbers 6:23, “Say to them....” After the kohanim finish the first blessing, the congregation responds “Amen.” The shaliach tzibbur prompts the kohanim with the second bracha and they repeat after him, after which the congregation again responds “Amen.” The same process is followed with the third bracha.