RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT SHMINI PART 1

Translated and abridged by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Parshat Shmini The Tabernacle inauguration concluded with a blessing from the High Priest: "Aaron lifted his hands towards the people and blessed them. He then descended from preparing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings." (Lev. 9:22) When Was the Blessing Recited? From the Torah's account, it would seem that Aaron blessed the people before he completed the service in the newly dedicated Tabernacle. The Sages, however, explained that the actual order was different. First, Aaron completed the offerings and descended from the altar. Only afterwards did he bless the people (Torat kohanim; Megillah 18a). If the priestly benediction was performed at the end of the Temple service (which nowadays is recited at the end of the Amidah prayer), why does the Torah imply a different order?