As American society wrestles with its history of criminal injustice, a classic piece of rabbinic commentary on this week’s portion contains penetrating wisdom for us.
Parashat Nasso contains the beloved Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessing), that we recite in prayer and offer to our children on Friday nights. “May God bless you and protect you. May God make God’s face shine upon you and be gracious with you. May God ‘lift God’s face’ toward you and grant you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
The Rabbis must have loved these powerful images of divine love and blessing. But they raise a logical and moral challenge about the words “lift God’s face toward you,” also translated as, “May God bestow God’s favor upon you.”
Jewish Ledger
Torah Portion – Naso
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hy is it that the Priest-Kohanim, the ministers of the Holy Temple and Torah teachers of the nation, must administer their priestly benediction “with love”? What has “love” to do with their specific leadership role?
In our Biblical portion, Naso, the Almighty tells Moses to command Aaron (the High Priest-Kohen) and his sons, “… So shall you bless the children of Israel: Say to them, ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; May the Lord lift His face towards (forgive) you and grant you peace’. And they shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:22-27).