Parashat Naso 5772

Being a rabbi holds many blessings:  you connect with folk of all ages, children throw themselves into your arms for hugs, people invite you into their homes, stories and lives.  And you are often called upon to give blessings—so speak special words to people on sacred occasions, to convey in language love, tenderness, holiness, protection. 

Parashat Naso includes the famous words of Birkat HaKohanim, the Priestly Benediction:

May the Eternal bless and protect you.

May the Eternal deal kindly and graciously with you.

May the Eternal bestow divine favor upon you and grant you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).    

I am especially privileged to offer this blessing to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah each week, as he or she stands before the open ark, ready to embark on the great journey of Adulthood.

But as the blessing itself says, I am not the one doing the blessing.  I am merely the conduit for the shefa/flow of Divine grace.  Shefa is the abundance that abounds constantly in the Universe, the love that overflows any cup.  It is far too vast for me to create it or even add to it.  All I can seek to do is direct it—even slightly—towards the recipients of the blessing, so that they will be showered with protection, kindness, grace, and peace.

People often ask me to bless them, and it is an honor to do so.  But I never forget that I am not the Source of the Blessing, but only the channel.  For so God says in the verse that follows the Priestly Blessing:  “Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27).

“Ken y’hi ratzon,” as we say in response.  “So may it be.”