What is the priestly blessing traditionally performed by descendants of Aaron?

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Aaron Aaron, detail of a 3rd-century fresco from the synagogue at Doura-Europus, Syria; in the National Museum, Damascus

The priestly blessing, known in Hebrew as birkat kohanim, is a traditional blessing pronounced by the cohanim (descendants of Aaron) over the congregation during festivals in the synagogue.12

This ritual is performed in accordance with the command and formula established in Numbers 6:22–27. In Jewish tradition, the priesthood is hereditary, belonging exclusively to the male descendants of Aaron, who was appointed as the first Jewish priest by his brother, Moses. While many priestly functions were curtailed following the destruction of the Temple, the cohanim retain specific roles, including the recitation of this blessing and receiving preference in the reading of the Torah.123