"So you shall bless the Children of Israel, saying unto them: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord shine His face on you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift His countenance unto you and give you peace." -Bamidbar 6:23-26
The mitzvah of Birkat Kohanim, the blessing of the Priests, entails several specific laws. One of these laws dictates that the Kohain must bless the people while facing them, as the Rambam instructs us (Hilchot Tefilah 14.3): "And they turn their faces toward the people."
A blessing cannot be delivered by one who turns his back on the congregation, even if in doing so he faces the Ark and the Torah scrolls continued there. From this we may also conclude that any leader, for his message to fall on attentive ears, must deliver that message while his face and his actions are directed toward the people he addresses.
Another law pertaining to the Birkat Kohanim specifies that when blessing the people, the Kohain must lift his arms towards the people, opening his hands and fingers. His hands must not be clenched. Here, too, we derive an important concept in leadership and in addressing one's followers. The Kohain's raised arms and open hands represent giving, welcoming, and the opening of the heart. The Kohain's posture conveys his willingness to give of his blessings freely and openly, as well as his acceptance of and invitation to the people. Conversely, one who lowers his arms and clenches his fist conveys withdrawal.
Beyond these laws, the Kohain is instructed to "bless the nation of Israel with love." This is the only commandment whose essence is the offering of a blessing and for this reason, it can only be fulfilled if done "with love."
If genuine love does not prevail between one who offers a blessing and the recipient of that blessing, the blessing cannot occur. The Birkat Kohanim's conclusion with the words, "... and give you peace" cannot materialize unless the blessing emanates from genuine love.
If we can adopt these lessons of the Birkat Kohanim, we will also merit God's promise to the Jewish people: "And they will place My name over the Children of Israel, and I will bless them."
Special Offer:
Junk Yard New York
- Donate a junk car to charity. Get Free towing and a tax deduction.
Beyond these laws, the Kohain is instructed to "bless the nation of Israel with love." This is the only commandment whose essence is the offering of a blessing and for this reason, it can only be fulfilled if done "with love."
