370. Which Way to Turn

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 14:12

The kohanim may not add other blessings to the birkas kohanim, such as “May Hashem, God of your fathers, increase your numbers a thousandfold” (Deuteronomy 1:11). Such blessings may not even be added silently as per Deuteronomy 4:2, “Do not add….” When leaving his seat to ascend the platform, the kohein recites the following prayer: “May it be Your will, Hashem, our God and God of our fathers, that this blessing that You have commanded us to bless Your people Israel be a perfect blessing and that it not be ruined by obstacles or sin from now until eternity.” Before turning to bless the congregation, the kohaim recite the bracha that God “sanctified us with the holiness of Aaron and commanded us to bless His people Israel with love.” He then turns to face the congregation and starts reciting birkas kohanim. When he turns away from the congregation after he has finished, he says, “We have carried out that which You have commanded us. Treat us as You have promised us. Look down from Your abode, from the heavens, and bless Your people Israel.”

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 14:13                                   

When the kohanim turn to face the congregation to bless them, and when they turn away after blessing them, they should only turn to the right. Generally speaking, any turns that a person makes should always be to the right.