Passing in front of a praying person for the Kohen's hand washing
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →
Question
Is it permissible for a Kohen to pass in front of a praying person for the purpose of hand washing? And is it permissible for a Levite to pass in front of a praying person for the Kohen's hand washing?
Answer
A Kohen is permitted to pass in front of a praying person for the purpose of hand washing.
As for a Levite, if the praying person is directly behind him, it is forbidden for him to pass in front of the praying person. However, if the praying person is not directly behind him but slightly to the sides, he may pass and go to wash the Kohen's hands.
Source
Talmud, Tractate Berakhot 27a: "Rav visited the house of Geniva and prayed the Shabbat prayer on Friday evening, and Rabbi Yirmiyah bar Abba was praying behind him. Rav finished, but did not interrupt Rabbi Yirmiyah's prayer. From this, three things can be inferred: one may pray the Shabbat prayer on Friday evening, a student may pray behind his teacher, and it is forbidden to pass in front of those who are praying, as taught by Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said it is forbidden to pass in front of those who are praying. However, Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Assi passed, but they passed outside of four cubits."
There are two reasons given by the poskim for the prohibition of passing in front of a praying person: 1. It distracts his concentration. 2. It interrupts the presence of the Shechinah.
The Baal HaItur (Butshash) permits passing in front of a praying person for the purpose of a mitzvah, such as responding to Kaddish, because today we are not as focused, and it does not disturb his concentration. The reason it interrupts the presence of the Shechinah is because he is going for the purpose of a Torah mitzvah and the honor of the Shechinah.
The later authorities, quoting the Chazon Ish, write that it is specifically permitted for a Torah mitzvah, but not for a rabbinic mitzvah. Therefore, a Kohen, for whom hand washing is an obligation of "Lift up your hands in holiness and bless the Lord," may pass in front of a praying person. However, a Levite, for whom the Kohen's hand washing is a preparation for the mitzvah, should not pass in front of a praying person.
If the praying person is not directly behind him, but to the sides, the Mishnah Berurah in Siman 102, Se'if Katan 28, brings a dispute between the Aruch HaShulchan and the Magen Avraham about whether it is permissible to pass in front of a praying person when he is not directly behind him but to the sides. The Mishnah Berurah writes that in a pressing situation, one can be lenient and rely on the opinion of the Aruch HaShulchan.