Dear Friends,
“May the LORD bless you and keep you.”
“May the LORD shine light upon you and be gracious to you.”
“May the LORD bestow Divine favor upon you and grant you peace.”
In antiquity, the priests were charged to recite this blessing upon the Israelites, and to this day, it is wonderfully recited. This Priestly Blessing likely is quite familiar to all of us. It is recited commonly at moments of joy in our lives: at a brit milah or baby-naming, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or wedding. It is recited at festivals and the High Holy Days.
And, for those who came from the orthodox tradition, one may remember the fiercely ritualistic and even terrifying moment when the priests emerged, heads and shoulders covered with their talleisim, for the duchenen – the ritual pronouncement of the blessing in the synagogue.
Thus, among all our blessings – excepting perhaps the Shehechiyanu – this likely is the most compelling and even heart-warming recitation in our tradition. It evokes God’s nearest Presence, and commonly is the capstone to a rich and precious moment.
Personally, it has been my joy to offer the Priestly Blessing. It means we have completed another life- moment, and a Jewish family is basking in pride over daughters or sons. It also means, quite personally, that I have completed something profound and touching. As a rabbi – apart from being a Kohen, a descendent of the ancient priests dating to Aaron, himself – I gain my own fulfillment from seeing radiant glows in families celebrating a special moment.
And, even more personally, the first time I recited this blessing in a synagogue was when I was a Bar Mitzvah. Yes – the Blessing was recited upon me by my then-rabbi when I was 13, but I recited this blessing, then, too. You see, this text, found in this week’s Torah portion, was my Bar Mitzvah portion! In truth, I didn’t really comprehend quite the importance of this text back then, but since then, it has grown on me. I find a triple value in this text – as my Bar Mitzvah portion, as a kohen/priest who is obliged to recite it, and as a rabbi who is privileged to offer it. Thus, when I have had talits or atarot (tallis’s shaped for robes to be worn at the High Holy Days), I have had the Priestly Blessing woven into the yoke, so it is on my shoulders at such moments. It is my blessing of blessings – and I delight to share it with you!
“May the LORD bless you and keep you!”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
“May the LORD bless you and keep you.”
“May the LORD shine light upon you and be gracious to you.”
“May the LORD bestow Divine favor upon you and grant you peace.”
In antiquity, the priests were charged to recite this blessing upon the Israelites, and to this day, it is wonderfully recited. This Priestly Blessing likely is quite familiar to all of us. It is recited commonly at moments of joy in our lives: at a brit milah or baby-naming, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or wedding. It is recited at festivals and the High Holy Days.
And, for those who came from the orthodox tradition, one may remember the fiercely ritualistic and even terrifying moment when the priests emerged, heads and shoulders covered with their talleisim, for the duchenen – the ritual pronouncement of the blessing in the synagogue.
Thus, among all our blessings – excepting perhaps the Shehechiyanu – this likely is the most compelling and even heart-warming recitation in our tradition. It evokes God’s nearest Presence, and commonly is the capstone to a rich and precious moment.
Personally, it has been my joy to offer the Priestly Blessing. It means we have completed another life- moment, and a Jewish family is basking in pride over daughters or sons. It also means, quite personally, that I have completed something profound and touching. As a rabbi – apart from being a Kohen, a descendent of the ancient priests dating to Aaron, himself – I gain my own fulfillment from seeing radiant glows in families celebrating a special moment.
And, even more personally, the first time I recited this blessing in a synagogue was when I was a Bar Mitzvah. Yes – the Blessing was recited upon me by my then-rabbi when I was 13, but I recited this blessing, then, too. You see, this text, found in this week’s Torah portion, was my Bar Mitzvah portion! In truth, I didn’t really comprehend quite the importance of this text back then, but since then, it has grown on me. I find a triple value in this text – as my Bar Mitzvah portion, as a kohen/priest who is obliged to recite it, and as a rabbi who is privileged to offer it. Thus, when I have had talits or atarot (tallis’s shaped for robes to be worn at the High Holy Days), I have had the Priestly Blessing woven into the yoke, so it is on my shoulders at such moments. It is my blessing of blessings – and I delight to share it with you!
“May the LORD bless you and keep you!”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
