Kohen hands out of shul

I’m a Kohen, and I have given the birkat kohanim to different people outside of shul with the traditional hand gesture. Non-kohanim have told me it is halachically forbidden to make the hand gesture outside of the shul time. I suspect they are misinterpreting the sources forbidding a non-kohen using that gesture. Do you know of any halachic source that speaks of my case?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The Biur Halacha (OC 128 “d’zar”) questions the practice of people, both Kohanim and others, to bless each other with the Birkat Kohanim verses. He then justifies it, including for non-Kohanim, by saying the ban on using Birkat Kohanim only applies if one’s hands are lifted and spread out. But simply reciting the verses is justifiable.

Therefore, in order to better ensure one does not violate any prohibition or misuse of the Birkat Kohanim a non-Kohen may place his hands on the head of the one being blessed although some are stringent not to do so, besides for Friday night. 

If a Kohen wishes to bless someone with the Birkat Kohanim outside of the prayer service, he may do so but should not separate his fingers as is customary when doing so. The parting of the fingers, and the raising of the hands above the shoulders, should be reserved for the prayer service only.

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