Parasha Naso
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.
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 3 words, it grows to 5 words, and then to 7 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.
| “May the Lord bless you and watch over you. | כדיְבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָֹ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ: | |
| May the Lord cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. | כהיָאֵ֨ר יְהוָֹ֧ה | פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ: | |
| May the Lord raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” | כויִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָֹ֤ה | פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם: |
Seemingly stressful times? 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 of coronavirus and focus on where peace through this time 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.
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 as one. Supporting and lifting up 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.
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Michael Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly d’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com