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Beit Midrash
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- Kohanim
The Ramban (Bamidbar 6:23) posits that there were two commandments given concerning the same blessing on that day: Aharon, specifically, was to recite it on a one-time basis; all kohanim would recite it throughout history. However, he continues, there is always a special connection between the berachot and the Mishkan/Mikdash – it is performed in a special, higher-level manner in the Mikdash (Sota 37b).
It is likely that Birkat Kohanim is alluded to one more time in the Torah: "At that time (Rashi – when the Levi’im did not sin with the Golden Calf) Hashem separated the Tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Hashem, to stand before Hashem and serve Him and bless in His Name (levarech bishmo) until this day" (Devarim 10:8). Rashi and several others claim that this blessing in Hashem’s Name is Birkat Kohanim.
Usually when a person blesses his friend, he makes up his own text, and when he blesses Hashem, he uses a set text (some found in the Torah, most composed by the Rabbis). Birkat Kohanim has a set text, and is one of the few recitations that can only be done in Lashon Hakodesh (Mishna, Sota 7:2). There are a few indications that it is not that the kohanim were given the power to bless others, like Avraham was (see Rashi, Bereishit 12:2), but that they simply do Hashem’s bidding by reciting Birkat Kohanim. In the pasuk in Devarim (above) it is presented in the context of service of Hashem (carrying the aron, serving Him, and blessing).
The term used there, levarech bishmo, can be explained two ways – bless by means of using His Name (which is what makes it effective); bless Bnei Yisrael on Hashem’s behalf. These two possibilities also find expression in our parasha. The section of Birkat Kohanim concludes with the pasuk: "They shall place My Name on Bnei Yisrael, and I will bless them." Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael disagree (Chulin 49a). Rabbi Yishmael says that "I will bless them" means that Hashem will bless the kohanim, as the rest of the nation are blessed by the kohanim. However, Rabbi Akiva claims that Hashem will bless all of the people, and all the kohanim do is "place Hashem’s Name on Bnei Yisrael." In other words, it is not the kohanim’s beracha but Hashem’s. The kohanim only assist by saying the words for Bnei Yisrael, upon which Hashem attaches his beracha, i.e., the real beracha. This connects further to a dilemma (Kiddushin 23b) whether kohanim are agents of Hashem or of Bnei Yisrael. Perhaps when people follow the practice of blessing their children with Birkat Kohanim, they are tapping into the approach that it is a beracha that humans give to humans, with there being different contexts in which it is appropriate.
Being blessed is most viable when both Hashem and man take part in the beracha. Let us strive to act in such a way that we will find favor in the eyes of Hashem and man.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
