Rabbi's Sermons

Shabbat Shalom!

Those whose native language is Hebrew, or who have lived in Israel for several decades, understand, that the language itself, is very rich in meaning and beauty, and that it offers us multiple levels of depth and understanding of the texts. Quite often, the simplest words in the daily-use language, expressed in a certain way, can generate an intense emotional response. In this week's Torah portion, Parashat Naso, in Chapter 6 of the Book of Numbers, God commands Moses to instruct Aharon and his sons on how to offer a blessing to the people of Israel. What follows, is a beautiful structure of 15 words, divided into three groups: 3-5-7, traditionally known as – “Birkat Hakohanim” (the Priestly Blessing), and is today, one of the oldest known biblical texts.

Forty six years ago, in 1979, a scroll was found in Jerusalem in an area known as – “Ketef Hinom”, across the valley from the Old City, a little further down and east of where the King David Hotel is located today. This scroll contains this blessing. Birkat Hakohanim is, in fact, the oldest known biblical text ever found, dating to the First Temple period, just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian exile in 586 bce. Some commentators relate, almost mystically, that each word represents one of the 15 stairs that ascended to the Temple area in Jerusalem, where the Kohanim (priests) offered sacrifices.

Along with the Shema Israel, Birkat Hakohanim is one of the most expressed liturgical phrases that exists in Judaism, and it has appeared daily in the texts of our tradition, by reciting the Amidah. Traditionally, every Friday night, as part of the Kiddush blessings, parents bless their children using the Birkat Hakohanim. It is also recited to babies, as part of the naming ceremony or Brit Mila. Those young people who celebrate their Bar / Bat Mitzvah, usually receive this blessing from their rabbis or parents. Rabbis also often recite this blessing to couples who marry under a Chuppah.

But what is a BERACHA? The root of the word beracha (blessing) - ב-ר-ך is most often attributed to the Hebrew word for blessing. But in colloquial Hebrew, it is also identified with the word “knee- בֶּרֶךְ”, since a bracha comes from the ancient form of prayer, in which one bended the knee in prostration to show worship before the Creator and knelt in submission. Throughout history, kneeling has been identified as a sign of respect or reverence. People knelt before kings, and I believe, they continue to do so, in ceremonies of British royalty, for example. There are extreme religious customs in Mexico City, where some believers advance on their knees for several kilometers until they reach the altars with bleeding knees. It is customary to kneel as part of a marriage proposal (or at least, that is how most of the grooms usually do). We kneel to bring ourselves to the level of a child and we kneel to plead.

In our synagogues, we refer to this kneeling in the final prayer of the service, Aleinu, when we say:” כִּי לְךָ תִּכְרַע כָּל בֶּרֶךְ, תִּשָּׁבַע כָּל לָשׁוֹן - to you every knee must bend and every tongue must swear allegiance". This peculiar movement of the body, makes it smaller and forces oneself to look up to show respect and esteem. In other words, it can be seen as a request for protection, which brings us back to the current motive in our faith, to transform the BERACHA of - "kneeling", to what Aharon and his offspring would do, to this day, as an ancient form of blessing.

Tonight, around the Shabbat table, even if you do not have children, or they are not with you, let us recite these fifteen words from this beautiful and powerful Birkat Hacohanim. Let us offer this blessing from the depths of our hearts, hoping to bring, with it, a sense of peace and fulfillment, that is so deeply needed: First, for Medinat Israel which is living times of war, and for ourselves, that we can simply see in our own blessing, a way of loving ourselves and giving the best of ourselves, to our souls, to our bodies and giving thanks. Let us pray, slowly, word for word:

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ ה´ וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ

May the Lord bless you and protect you

יָאֵ֨ר ה´ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ

May the Lord illuminate his face upon thee and give you mercy

יִשָּׂ֨א ה´ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

May the Lord direct his face upon thee and give you PEACE.

Shabat Shalom!

June 6^th, 2025

Rabbi David Laor