If the chazzan is a Kohen, may he perform Birkat Kohanim?
Synopsis
The Mechaber rules that if the chazzan is a Kohen and other Kohanim are present, he does not perform Birkat Kohanim. If he is the only Kohen and is confident he can return to the Amidah without confusion, he should perform it to prevent the blessing from being cancelled. The Rema adds that they should not tell the chazzan-Kohen to go up, but if they did tell him, he must go up or violate a positive commandment. The Magen Avraham notes that since we daven with a siddur, the chazzan is always considered 'confident he can return,' yet with other Kohanim present, he still may not bless.
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Discussion
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