Maghrebi silver cup for the priestly hand-raising (Cohanim)

This ablution vessel was used before the priestly blessing (Birkat Cohanim) pronounced by the Cohanim, descendants of Aaron, who wash their hands before blessing the congregation with arms raised. The washing of the priests' hands, traditionally carried out by the Levites, is a ritual prerequisite for this solemn moment of the service in which the Cohanim transmit the blessing of Aaron. In North Africa, this type of silver cup was engraved with the motif of raised hands in the characteristic gesture of the priestly blessing. An object of synagogal worship linked to the priestly function, it illustrates the persistence of roles inherited from the priesthood of the Temple.