Birkat Kohanim is a positive Torah commandment (mitzvat aseh). The Torah explicitly commands the kohanim to bless Israel with these three verses.
Question 2
What does "I will bless them" mean in the context of Birkat Kohanim?
The Rambam emphasizes: "I [God] will bless them." The kohanim lift their hands and recite the verses; God provides the actual blessing. They are conduits, not sources.
Question 3
What is the structure of the three priestly blessings in terms of word count?
The three blessing-verses have 3, 5, and 7 words respectively — an expanding pattern suggesting the blessing grows and deepens with each verse.
Question 4
Can a kohen who killed someone recite Birkat Kohanim?
The Rambam rules: a kohen who has killed cannot recite Birkat Kohanim. His hands that brought death cannot be the vehicle for God's blessing of life.
Question 5
How often do kohanim duchan in Israel vs. the Diaspora according to the Rambam?
In Israel, kohanim duchan every day. In the Diaspora, the custom became Yom Tov only — though the Rambam felt the daily practice should apply everywhere.