This week’s Torah Portion, Naso (to take a census, or to lift up) covers a lot of ground, from God commanding Moses to “take a census,” to how to deal with folks who make mistakes in Temple ritual, commit adultery, and those who repent of their transgressions. We also learn about the sacred vows of the Nazerite, one who wishes to become closer to God through abstention from cutting hair and drinking wine.
I want to highlight perhaps the most well-known part of the Torah portion this week, and that is the Birkat Kohanim, or the Priestly Benediction. Many of us might remember receiving it from the Rabbi or Cantor at our wedding, or during the naming ceremonies of our children. I am honored to recite it along with my clergy partners to our children after they have completed the Mitzvah of being called to the Torah for the first time, leading the service, and being celebrated into Adulthood.
One of the things that I love about Torah is that significant passages are laid out in very unique ways. You can see in the photo below that the Priestly Benediction is among these special parts. I find this very helpful, as it allows us to understand that even though we should always soak in everything Torah has to offer, there are parts to which we should pay closer attention. This passage is among those.
The Priestly Benediction is often referred to as the “three-fold blessing” because it is recited in 3 parts:
“May God bless you and keep you”
“May God always be gracious and kind to you”
“May the light of God shine upon you, and give you the most precious gift: peace”
The Priestly Benediction was also given by Moses, the first leader of the Jewish people, to his brother Aaron, when Aaron became a High Priest (Kohen Gadol). In the days of the Temple (prior to 70 CE), it was only recited by Kohanim (priests). If you ever attend a Conservative congregation’s worship service, you might notice a certain group of people—descended from Kohanim—being called to the Torah for a special blessing or sometimes Aliyah. This group has the name “Cohen” somewhere in their family tree, and in more traditional worship, they would likely be called up to recite the Priestly Benediction during the Mussaf (added) prayers after the Torah reading.
The Institute for Jewish Spirituality is an organization that teaches Clergy, Lay Leadership, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to God through Jewish practices grounded in mindfulness and drawn upon Jewish wisdom. Eight years ago, I participated in their Second Clergy Leadership Development Cohort which consisted of four retreats over the course of a year and a half. It was truly transforming. One of the elements I found most meaningful was a modern-day, spiritual translation of the Priestly Benediction which Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell taught us in meditation. I still use it to this day, breathing in and out after each phrase. Let’s try it:
“May you be blessed and safe”
“May you be luminous and be loved”
“May you be happy and peaceful”
There is a very special musical setting which I love, by Israeli artists Feliz and Or Zohar, and I’d love to share it with you here.
This blessing can be used for many things, but what I love about it is its declamatory style, “May you be…” as if to affirm that our request is already happening. This allows me to align myself fully with this prayer.
May you be blessed, safe, luminous and loved, and happy and peaceful always. Shabbat Shalom.