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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
Several technical details of the way the Kohanim deliver this Bracha add an even deeper message:
* The Kohanim must face the people as they deliver the blessing, though this means that they have to turn their backs on the Aron Kodesh & the Sefer Torah. This teaches us that if you want to really communicate with another person, if you want to relate to them in a dignified manner, then face them & focus on them (rather than your cellphone!)
* When delivering the Bracha, the Kohain lifts his arms towards the people, opening his hands & fingers. This symbolizes that he (and of course Hashem) embrace the nation with open arms, & their hands are open to give to all. The open-hand gesture - like the handshake or wave which shows we carry no weapon - symbolizes openness & friendship - as opposed to the clenched fist, which is a sign of selfishness & enmity.
* This Mitzva stands alone as having a Bracha which commands the Kohanim to pronounce their blessing "with love." In fact, the very last word of the bracha is "ahava." This teaches us that a blessing is no blessing unless it is given in love, & that a Mitzva is not a Mitzva unless it is performed with love. The word Ahava derives from the word "hav," to give, & has the numerical value of 13, the same as "Echad" - one.
This teaches us that, in essence, loving is giving, & that the end result of showing love is that we will establish a oneness, a commonality, a unity with those to whom we show love.
The Kohanim were the former leaders of our people. The lessons of the Birkat Kohanim should not be lost on any person who today aspires to lead Am Yisrael: Focus on others, welcome them with open arms, & let all your actions generate from a genuine love of your fellow Jew.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Naso “Do Not Disregard the Practices of One’s Mother”
Ideas from 5704 (1944) – Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 368-9
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
