There are two reasons why not to look at the
face or hands of the כהנים during נשיאת כפיים.
1) היסח
הדעת (distraction) Both, the כהנים & עם must
concentrate on the ברכת כהנים and not get distracted.
2) זכר
למקדש In the Bais Hamikdash, they did ברכת
כהנים with the שם המפורש. Since the שכינה hovered over the Kohanim
during נשיאת כפיים, it blinded the eyes of
those who gazed at them. (only when it is done with the שם
המפורש )
Since today staring at the Kohanim won't blind
you, a short glance would be OK but because of זכר למקדש the
Minhag is to refrain even from a short glance (משנה ברורה)
There are two Minhagim:
1) The Kohen covers only his face with the Tallis and keeps his hands exposed.
1) The Kohen covers only his face with the Tallis and keeps his hands exposed.
2) He covers both his face & his hands under the
Tallis. (רמ"א)
In those places where the Kohanim exposed
their hands, the Minhag was also for the עם to cover their faces with their
Tallis. (דרכי משה)
Today, many Yidden cover their face with
the Tallis even at places where the כהנים do cover their hands.
this is done because of מנהג אבותיהן even though it's not really
necessary.
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