What position should tzibbur assume during Birchas Kohanim?

The Minhag was to put the Tallis over the head and let it fall over the eyes, and in this way the eyes are covered and one doesn't have to close them or look down.

Michael FRBSH

Yosef Ometz says that the Medakdekim cover their eyes with the tallis as described above. In the past the hats were small and ones head was covered with the Tallis over his hat always. In KAYJ we wear the Tallis over the head (without the hats) usually, and in Birkas Kohanim we pull the Tallis a bit further. (See more about Tallis over the head at this link ). In places like KAJ WH where no one wears the Tallis over his head other then the Rov, they may have a different minhag in Birkas Kohanim.

Michael FRBSH

In KAYJ we follow Minhag Ashkenaz, and try to do all the Minhogim of the Rishonim and Achronim of Gedolei Ashkenaz. But if a Minhag is proved to have not started by Rabbonei Ashkenaz, and on the contrary - the Rabbonim kept the old Minhag and were not happy with the new Minhag, and in EY most shuls (Lithuanian, Polish etc.) follow the old Minhag and cover their heads, there is no point for us to be the only shul in EY to do the new Minhag that was practiced in the 19th century against the will of the Rabbonim of that time, as seen in this link . On the other hand, in FFAM itself, or in KAJ WH which was opened by Rav Breuer of FFAM, there is more logic in continuing the present Minhag, no matter why it was started.

Michael

Every individual is allowed to Daven the way he wishes. In KAYJ we only have a Hakpodo on what the Shliach Tzibbur does, or what the person who says Kaddish does etc. but no Hakpodo on what every individual does for himself.

Michael

I would like to add, that Rav Hamburger told me that the Bochurim in his shul (who do not cover their heads usually, but wear a hat), at Birkas Cohanim take the hat off and cover over their heads with the Tallis. This could be what is done at KAJ WH too.

Michael