Halacha:

Birchas Kohanim,  War 

Parsha:

Shemini 

Description

The Gemara (Brachot 32b), codified by the Rambam (Tefilah 16:3) and Shulchan Aruch (128:35), states that a Kohen who has killed another person is precluded from performing Birkat Kohanim. Having taken the life of another person, they are no longer fit to bless the Jewish people with well-being and peace. God, whose ways are peaceful and whose compassion extends to all living things, demands that His sacred servants and rituals be completely untainted by the taking of human lives. In modern times, halakhic authorities have questioned whether this rule extends to soldiers serving in the IDF. If a Kohen kills in the line of duty, is he still permitted to bless the people?