While there are many variations for what kohanim do with their hands when it come to the priestly blessing in synagogue under a talit,, what is appropriate when making a symbol representing a kohan on a headstone for ashkenazi Jew in a cemetery? Please inform (1) if thumbs should touch (2) if forefingers should not touch (3) if palms of the hands or back of the hands should be represented (4) is there a concern in creating an upside down shin in the negative space of the image where (a)window between ring and middle finger (b) window between forefinger and thumb (c) window thumbs touching either at tips or at bent thumb joints?

Shalom, Thank you for your question. Whilst the custom of engraving hands in the form of the birkat Cohanim on the tombstone of a Cohen is an ancient one – there are no laws governing the specific form of the image. In fact, if you look at historical and modern images of the headstones of Cohanim, you will see many different forms of the hands. This is because there is no significance to the image itself, except to convey that this is the grave of a Cohen. It is not a guide to the laws of saying the blessing. In fact, many of the questions you ask are matters of debate about the actual way the hands should be held during the blessing – and there are debates about these questions. (It sounds from your question that you are familiar with the various customs and opinions about how the hands should be held during the blessing – bottom line, both customs of the thumbs touching or not are both acceptable). I’m not certain as to your question about the upside down shin – what would the issue be? I hope this is of some help – and many blessings.