By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Naso, we are introduced to the Birkat Kohanim, the “Priestly Blessing.” We’re all familiar with it. We’ve heard it said, recited it ourselves, and given it to others, many times:
| “May the Lord bless you and watch over you. | יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָֹ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ: | |
| May the Lord cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. | יָאֵ֨ר יְהוָֹ֧ה | פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ: | |
| May the Lord raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” | יִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָֹ֤ה | פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם: |
This may well be one of our oldest prayer texts that we continue to use in contemporary times. For those who look carefully, you’ll see the growing meaning and increasing power in these words and letters. From three words, it grows to five words, and then to seven words. It grows from 15 letters to 20 letters, to 25 letters. From being watched over to the ultimate gift for a healthy life, peace, this b’racha points us to what really matters – especially essential during these seemingly chaotic, seemingly threatening, seemingly stressful times.
Seemingly? Yes. Don’t believe everything you think…perhaps chaos, threat, and stress are blessings, an indication of Hashem redirecting our lives. Those with trust and faith see the blessings that are inside of adversity and focus on where peace through challenge will come from, as we are taught in the Birkat Kohanim. He will grant us peace. Look inside of this prayer and you will reaffirm an important insight, that we live in both a physical and spiritual world. You will see both physical and spiritual benefits seeded within each of the prayer’s lines.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin points out that it says, “The L-rd shall make His Face shine upon you.” Since we are directed to emulate Hashem, what is the practical application of this verse? It’s a psychologically healthy tip…as Shamai writes, “greet others with a cheerful countenance.” Do you smile enough? Smile more and see how much better you feel. Rabbi Pliskin also teaches that during the twelve days of the dedication of the Mishkan, the leaders of the Tribes each brought an offering. Although their offerings were the same, the Ralbag teaches that the Torah repeats them over and over with all their details to teach us that one should not try to outdo another to boast or feel superior to him or her. The goal in spiritual matters is to serve Hashem as one, not to compete with others. This is another example of how important it is to see the “oneness” of our people.
The famous rabbinical interpretation of the words in this priestly prayer is that “all the children of Israel are bound together.” The word “bound” here means that each of us is responsible for one another. When one of us is harmed or dealing with physical or emotional illness, it is our responsibility as a united people that we are supposed to be, to assist them. We cannot ignore the pain of our fellow humans. If one of us is suffering in some manner, we all end up in anguish, too, since we are all one, interconnected. We are responsible to take action to reduce the pain of those around us and bring them into our “tent” wherever we possibly can. The Priestly Blessing concludes with: “They shall place My Name upon the children of Israel; and as for Me, I shall bless them.” When we assist and support each other we have assistance and blessing from Above.
A life of favor, vichuneka, anchored in the word chein or grace, is a different life than one filled with materialism. The b’racha seems to begin with blessings of materialism and then moves beyond that…as we would be wise to do as well.
Doing so however, seeing the value in the flow and direction of this message, may take a lifetime to truly, and deeply, understand. From material success, to acquiring genuine spiritual growth, the wisdom and light of Torah, these words move us to purposeful action united. Supporting and lifting those who are vulnerable, speaking and acting against injustice, remaining strong and never backing down in the face of “evil,” fighting against divisiveness and dissension among all, are indicators that we take the blessings in Naso very seriously.
We would be wise to remember that it is Hashem’s blessings that entitle us to whatever it is we have – or do not have – and therefore we would wisely remain thankful for, and even share with others, whatever wealth Hashem bestows upon us. Rashi notes that the blessing for Hashem to “watch over us” also includes our wish to be protected from the dangers — both physical and spiritual — that wealth may also bring about.
The section in Naso that describes the laws of the Nazirite highlights an individual’s voluntary commitment to spiritual self-discipline and personal growth, psychological building-blocks in helping another. The parasha emphasizes the collective responsibility and participation of the tribes of Israel in the dedication of the Tabernacle. From a psychological perspective, this highlights the importance of community, cooperation, and shared values in fostering social cohesion and a sense of belonging. The parasha lists all the princes, the nessi’im, of the Children of Israel, repeatedly, not leaving out a detail. There’s an important lesson inside of this, that this story, shared many years ago by Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky, may help embed in our thinking.
Rabbi Paysach Krohn, in the first book of his classic Maggid Series, relates the story of Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spektor, the Kovno Rav. Under Russian law, all young men were obliged to enlist in the army. Besides the obvious ubiquitous threat of violent death, maintaining any semblance of religious observance in the army was virtually impossible. The only way out was an exemption from army service.
Yaakov, a student who was much beloved by his Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Elchonon, applied for an exemption. Moscow did not immediately respond to the request, and each day Yaakov’s friends, together with their beloved Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Elchonon, waited to hear any news of whether Yaakov’s exemption was accepted.
One afternoon, Rav Yitzchak Elchonon was engrossed in a Rabbinic litigation. He sat together with Rav Elya Boruch Kamai, the Rav of Mir, and a third distinguished Rav. They were litigating a complex problem involving two wealthy businessmen. Both sides were willing to compromise, and for hours the three Rabbis attempted to find an amicable yet halachically acceptable resolution.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a young man stuck his head into the room. As soon as he saw Rav Yitzchak Elchonon, he excitedly addressed him. “Rebbe!,” he exclaimed. “We just got the news Yaakov was granted an exemption!” Rav Yitzchak Elchonon breathed a sigh of relief and said with a radiant smile, as he showered him with blessings. “May G-d bless you for bringing this wonderful news. May you merit long years and good health. Thank you ever so much!”
The boy left smiling, glad that he had made his Rebbe so happy. Immediately the Rabbis resumed deliberations to resolve the din Torah.
A few minutes later, another student opened the door. Not knowing that his Rebbi already knew the news, he apologized for interrupting saying he had something very important to share. Then he announced with joy, “Rebbe we’ve gotten word that Yaakov is exempt!”
Rav Yitzchak Elchonon replied with just as much enthusiasm as he had the first time. “How wonderful!” He showered him with blessings as well. “May G-d bless you for bringing this wonderful news. May you merit long years and good health. Thank you ever so much!”
The boy closed the door and left, beaming with joy that he had made his Rebbe so happy. Five minutes later, yet a third boy entered the room. “Rebbe, did you hear? Yaakov is exempt!” Once again Rav Yitzchak Elchonon smiled broadly and blessed the boy for the wonderful news. He thanked him and blessed him in the exact manner as with the previous boys.
Six times, different boys came in with the same news, each one anticipating the happiness their Rebbe would feel at the news, each one not aware that others had preceded him. Rav Yitzchak Elchonon smiled at each boy, expressed his gratitude, and made him feel as important as the first one.
The Ponovez Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Eliezer Schach, of blessed memory, once explained in a talk to his students that the attention to the honor of a fellow Jew is one of the most important lessons we can learn. This is what Naso teaches with the repetitive princes. Honoring each other, caring for one another, not seeing oneself as better than another, coming the week after Shavuot, are all important lessons in improving our own and our community’s wellbeing. Remember that a count is always for the purpose of elevating the dignity of the counted.
*
Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com