When the Cohanim go up to "duchen" by Bircas Cohanim they take off their shoes. I've seen in some places carpets put out for the Cohanim to stand on. Why do they stand on these carpets? What is this minhag? Where does it come from? (It should be noted however that I haven't seen this in every shul or shteibel that I've davened in.)
(In Yerushalayim and other parts of Eretz Yisrael we are zoche to have Bircas Cohanim everyday so this is more common thing to see I suppose, in Chutz L'Aretz however this might not have been seen at all since Bircas Cohanim is only a few times a year.)
Answer
Cohanim are supposed to "go up" to duchen. Many shuls and shtibels in Israel do not have steps leading up the the Aaron HaKodesh. So how do the Cohanim "go up"?
At the Kosel they used to have tiny "one man" platforms for this. (I haven't seem them recently, but I haven't been there for Shachris in many years.)
A mat or carpet would serve the same purpose; an elevation.
(That's besides the comfort issue - of not standing on a cold marble floor in socks - which may be a reason.)
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