We find in yesterdays parasha, Nasso, Birkas Kohanim / The Priestly Blessing. To see a nice peirush on the brachos that we've quoted a few times see here.
The following is quoted from The Midrash Says. If we knew this book cold we'd be doing ok.
The kohanim are commanded to bless the Jewish people every day during the morning prayers(Which is what we kohanim do here in Israel). The priestly blessing is recited in the last blessing of the shmona esrai prayer.
Hashem told Moshe to command the kohanim, "Thus (Koh) shall you bless the Bnai Yisroel...." "Thus" denotes that the kohanim are required to bestow the blessing in the following manner:
Standing
Raising their hands
Facing the community
Saying the blessing in lashon hakodesh
In the Beis Ha'Mikdash, enunciating Hashem's Four-Letter-Name as it is written.
The lashon of Koh (Thus) is an allusion to Avraham Avinu whom Hashem blessed, "Koh tehiu zarecha/Thus shall your seed/offspring be" (Beraishis 15:5).
Prior to birkas kohanim, the kohanim recite the blessing "Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with Aharon's kedusha/holiness and commanded us to bless His people Yisroel with love.
Why is Aharon in this blessing? Aharon's descendants, the kohanim, were accorded the honor of bestowing the blessing of peace on K'lal Yisroel in the merit of Aharon who loved peace and brought peace wherever he noticed discord or strife.
Birkas kohanim consists of three verses.
1:"יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶך/Yivarechicha Hashem Vyishmerecha/ May Hashem bless you and protect you (from thieves)." - This verse promises material riches and success. This verse contains 3 words corresponding to the three forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yackov.
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיך וִיחֻנֶּךָָּ":2/Yaer Hashem Panav eilecha v'yeechooneka /May cause his Shechina to shine upon you, and may He grace you with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of His Torah." - The Word Cheinָ/Grace denotes an attachment not derived logically or rationally. We ask Hashem to bestow His blessings upon us even if we are undeserving. We request to be blessed as a gift of grace, because of Hashem's love for us. This verse contains five words, corresponding to the five Books of the Torah. The Torah was given in the merit of the three forefathers.
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם" :3/Yisah Hashem Panav eilecha va'yasem lecha Shalom/May Hashem lift up His face to you, and give you peace." - This third verse is a culmination of the previous two. We desire the material and the spiritual blessings only in order to achieve the ultimate blessing of closeness to Hashem, which translates as goodness and peace. "May Hashem lift up His face to you.." denotes Hashem's full personal concern for each Jew, the closest type of relationship, which the Jewish people
are ultimately promise.The blessings conclude with peace, for there is no enjoyment of any other blessing unless a person is at peace.
This third verse contains seven words, suggesting the seven heavens, in allusion to the kohanim's wish to the Jewish people"May He Who dwells in the seven heavens bless you".
When the kohanim raise their hands, the community should listen attentively and in awe. It is a time of Heavenly good will, when the upper and lower spheres are showered with blessings.
How is birkas kohanim different from all other Torah blessings? The other promised blessings come true if the Jewish people achieve perfection in Torah study and the fulfillment of mitzvos. Birkas kohhanim, however, is bestowed upon the Jewish people unconditionally.
May we all merit to recieve all of the blessings of the Torah and accept the Torah once again as if we are standing now at Mount Siani!!!
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