Priestly Blessing

Question

Dear Rabbi,

What is the Priestly Blessing all about?

Thanks

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Torah commands the descendants of Aharon — called kohanim, translated as “priests” — to bless the Jewish people. They are to stand in front of the congregation, raise their hands to shoulder level and pronounce the “priestly blessings” found in the Book of Numbers (6:22): “May God bless you and keep you….”
    This commandment has been performed by kohanim in synagogues up to and including this very day. The prevalent custom today is to say the blessings while their hands are held together, palms-down, and the fingers are split such that there are five spaces. The five spaces are an allusion to the verse in Song of Songs 2:8, which states that God “peeks through the cracks in the wall.” In other words, God protects and watches the Jewish people even when He seems to be hidden.

    The Priestly Blessing consists of three parts. The first blessing is three words, the second is five words and the third is seven words. The gradually increasing length suggests a gradual increase of potency in the blessings.

    The first blessing states, “May God bless you and safeguard you.” Meaning, may He increase your possessions and progeny and protect them.

    The second blessing states, “May God shine His countenance toward you and be gracious to you.” After we have been blessed with physical bounty in the first blessing, we are blessed that God relates to us with graciousness.

    The third blessing states, “May God turn to face you and grant you peace.” God’s primary trait is kindness, and when He turns His attention to someone, He focuses on doing only good for that person, while disregarding that person’s faults. This is a blessing from God for shalom, peace. “Shalom” is related to the word “shalem,” complete. One who merits peace, lacks nothing; while one who lacks peace cannot enjoy anything he has.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team