Q. We daven in a backyard minyan these days. During Yom Tov we took out a mobile Aron Hakodesh with a Sefer Torah, but due to the circumstances it was placed to the north side of the yard, although the shtender of the baal tefila was facing mizrach. When it came to Birchas Cohanim we weren't sure where our two Cohanim should be standing. Is it next to the chazan with their back to the mizrach, or maybe facing south with their back to the Aron Hakodesh on the north, but also facing the people. Which is correct?
A. Mishna Berura (128: 27) in a similar case quotes two opinions. Magen Avrohom maintains that the Cohanim should be standing on the north side by the Aron Hakodesh facing the people on their side. While the P'ri Chodosh and P'ri Megodim assert that they should be placed at the Mizrach, next to the Shaliach Tzibur. even if the Aron Hakodesh is in a different side., so they can face directly the people face to face.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that on the onset they should try to move the Aron Hakodesh to the mizrach next to the chazan, If this cannot be done, the side of the mizrach and facing the people take precedence for Birkas Cohanim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
