Parshat Naso "May Hashem Bless You and Watch Over You"

"May HaShem bless you and watch over you"

(Leviticus 6:24)

Sivan 8, 5784/June 14, 2024

This week's Torah reading, Naso, is the longest portion of the entire Torah. It opens where last week's reading, (Bamidbar), left off, with the counting of the children of the tribe of Levi who were assigned with the care for and transportation of the desert Tabernacle and all its sacred vessels. Naso then quickly covers some issues of ritual impurity before describing at great length the ceremony held in the Holy Temple concerning the sota - a woman accused by her husband of being unfaithful. Following this lengthy description, the Torah then launches into another lengthy description, this time focusing on the nazir - a man or woman who takes upon themself a temporary vow of abstention, which concludes with a haircut and the bringing of certain offerings to the Holy Temple. Finally, parashat Naso concludes with an extremely lengthy and repetitive description of the gifts brought by the twelve tribal leaders to the Tabernacle on the occasion of its dedication. Over the first twelve days of the month of Nisan each of the twelve tribal chieftains brought, one after the other, identical gifts of silver and gold implements, bulls and lambs, rams and goats and oxen. Naso concludes with the tallying up of all the tribals gifts, and the following coda:

"When Moshe would come into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Him, he would hear the voice speaking to him from the two cherubim above the covering which was over the Ark of Testimony, and He spoke to him." (Numbers 7:89)

Sandwiched in between the lengthy description of the nazirite and the even lengthier description of the tribal gifts, are six verses, succinct and unparalleled in their powerful message:

"HaShem spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them: 'May HaShem bless you and watch over you. May HaShem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May HaShem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.' They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them." (ibid 6:22-27)

This is not the first time in Torah that this blessing is referred to. It was first uttered by Aharon and his sons on the day of the dedication of the Tabernacle, and it is in that context that it is referred to. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 9, verse 22, at the conclusion of parashat Shemini, we are told that "Aharon lifted up his hands towards the people and blessed them. He then descended from preparing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering." This was the threefold priestly blessing whose actual words are only revealed in this week's parashat Naso.

The Torah is full of blessings. Fathers bless their children, and Moshe blesses the tribes. Only recently, in parashat Bechukotai, the final reading of Leviticus, we read of G-d's promise to bless Israel should she keep His commandments. But the priestly blessing, known in Hebrew as birkat kohanim, is different. It is unconditional and it is delivered every day by the kohanim. In Temple times it was delivered by the kohanim while standing in the steps leading up to the entrance to the Temple Sanctuary. To this very day, kohanim, the descendants of Aharon, perform the blessing each morning in synagogues all throughout the land of Israel, and on the pilgrimage festivals in synagogues throughout the diaspora.

This blessing is personal. It comes directly from G-d and is delivered via the kohanim. "They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them" makes it clear that the blessing is from HaShem and not from the kohanim. Like all of the functions performed by the kohanim, they must act as vessels through which G-d's instructions are fulfilled. Their holiness is not intrinsic to their status as kohanim, but is achieved via their performance of their various responsibilities in the Holy Temple and outside of it. Today, when kohanim bless the congregation they first make an initial blessing stating that they are delivering HaShem's blessing be'ahava - with love. Should the kohen or kohanim performing the blessing bear any grudge or antipathy toward anyone in the congregation their blessing is invalid, and they have uttered HaShem's name in vain, (G-d forbid!).

Members of the congregation traditionally cover their heads with their tallitot (prayer shawls), and lower their eyes, both out of respect and in order to focus on receiving the blessing. As emphasized above, this blessing is direct, from G-d to each and every one of us. If we ever wonder if G-d takes note of us, if we matter, if our well being is of the utmost importance to Him, this is the answer.

Birkat kohanim is G-d's blessing to His children. Reflecting this understanding, it is traditional that before sitting down for the Friday evening Shabbat meal, fathers place their hands upon the heads of their children, and bless them. And just as G-d blesses His children, so we bless our children:

"May HaShem bless you and watch over you. May HaShem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May HaShem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace." Amen!