This week's Torah portion is Parashat Naso. It covers several different topics including the service of the Levites, the laws of the Sota and Nazir, the Priestly Blessing, and the gifts given to the Mishkan by the heads of each tribe.

The Priestly Blessing, or Birkat Kohanim in Hebrew, is an ancient blessing which was recited by the Kohanim (priests) in the Mikdash (Holy Temple). They recited it twice a day while standing on a special platform known as a duchan. Today, it is recited in synagogues on Shabbat and holidays as part of the Musaf (Additional) prayer. The prayer leader calls out "kohanim," and the Kohanim go up to the Torah ark, cover their heads with their prayer shawls, and raise their hands towards the congregation. The leader then calls out each word of the blessing one by one, and the Kohanim repeat it. The traditional practice is not to look at the Kohanim while they are reciting the blessing, and some people cover their heads or faces with a prayer shawl to ensure this is followed.

The wording of the blessing is as it was written in the Torah: "Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them: G-d bless you and protect you! G-d deal kindly and graciously with you! G-d bestow [divine] favor upon you and grant you peace! Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:23-27).

According to Rashi, the first part of the blessing, "G-d bless you and protect you," refers to an increase in prosperity and protection from robbers. He explains that unlike human beings, G-d can ensure that we not only receive gifts but also derive pleasure from them by keeping them safe. The three separate blessings then move from physical protection to spiritual shelter and finally to wholeness and peace.

Rabbi Jonathan Samuel asks two questions about the text: first, why do the priests talk about being sanctified with the sanctity of Aharon instead of using the regular words "who has sanctified us with G-d's commandments"? And second, why is love mentioned at the end of the blessing?

He says that the answer to both questions is the same: “blessing depends on love. The Torah does not assign the priests the task of rote recitation. On the contrary, it calls upon them to love the people… Aaron, the first priest, is remembered as "a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace, one who love people and brought them closer to Torah" (Mishnah, Avot) The holiness of Aaron flowed from his love. A priest devoid of love is a priest in name only.” 

May we all be blessed, protected, and at peace. May we also learn the power of blessing each other with good words followed by true meaning and love. 

Shabbat Shalom!

Mrs. Meital Aronov, Jewish Studies Teacher