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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.”