Weekly Halacha Yomit: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

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Daily Kitzur Limud (Week 41)

This week's learning:

17th of Tishrei

5 Oct 09

98:14 -22

18th of Tishrei

6 Oct 09

98:23 -32

19th of Tishrei

7 Oct 09

98:33 - 99:2

20th of Tishrei

8 Oct 09

99:3 - 100:4

21st of Tishrei

9 Oct 09

100:5 -10

22nd of Tishrei

10 Oct 09

100:11 -16

23rd of Tishrei

11 Oct 09

100:17 -end

"Baruch Hashem Yom Yomi"
Insight on this week's learning
By Daniel Cohen, Programs Director, World Mizrachi

This week we learn about the laws of Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. We are told that the Kohanim are commanded to bless the  people as the pasuk in Parshat Naso writes:

So shall you (Aharon and his sons) bless the Children of Israel… (Bamidbar 6:23)

The problem is posed, however, that this may not, in fact, be the true source for Birkat Kohanim – rather a verse in Parshat Shmini:

And Aharon lifted his hands to the people and he blessed them, and he descended from performing the sin offering, the whole burnt offering and the peace offering (Vayikra 9:22)

This appears much earlier than the more-often cited source from Naso. So which is the source? This is discussed by Rabbi Jack Bieler in his article entitled Who Authored “Birkat Kohanim”? and he quotes several sources connected with both psukim – see there for more on this topic.

Rashi on the pasuk in Vayikra says that Aharon used the text of Birkat Kohanim (i.e. that which appears later in Bamidbar) to bless the people. This is expanded in another source on this first verse:

 “And he blessed them”—This is an unspecific blessing that you do not know its contents. The verses return at a later point and clarify:
(BaMidbar 6:24-26) “Let God Bless you and Keep you” until “…And Grant you peace”.
(Sifra, “Milu’im” #30)

This explains that the full rendering of the text of Birkat Kohanim in Bamidbar is what Aharon said in the first instance in Vayikra, but we are only told of the formulation of the blessing later on. All of this adds to our understanding of this interesting law we have of the Kohanim blessing the people (every day in Israel). However, we can become quite blasé about Birkat Kohanim and its spiritual significance – I say this as a Kohen living in Israel, when we can just see the ritual as another part of our daily routine. I feel it is important for everyone, including those who don’t yet live in Israel to come experience the special ‘birkat kohanim’ ceremony that takes place every Sukkot and Pesach on Chol Hamoed (this Monday morning!), when hundreds of kohanim gather at the Kotel to bless the tens of thousands of worshippers. It is a most incredible and moving experience which gives us some small idea of what it will be like when the Beit Hamikdash is rebuilt (speedily in our days). Here is one account of the event:

I almost missed it. Although I had been told that it was a definite not-to-be-missed highlight of a Sukkot trip to Israel, the strong allure of a beautiful sunny day and a family trip of hiking and picnicking in Masada and Ein Gedi beckoned. But rising at the crack of dawn I reasoned that I would be back by the time everyone else was ready to set out and tiptoed quietly out of our rented apartment in the Rechavia neighborhood of Jerusalem, unprepared for the scene that was unfolding outside.

As the ancient stones glistened in the already intense Middle-Eastern early morning sun, they were coming. Tens of thousands of them, all ages and nationalities: families, couples, singles, schoolchildren, teens, tour groups, and more. A spectacular ocean of humanity flowing through the gates of the Old City, filling every inch of the Kotel (Western Wall) courtyard and its enveloping plaza, crowding the rooftops, cramming the porches and staircases surrounding it. And miraculously, like in the Holy Temple of old, the space seems to expand to accommodate the masses.

Yet everyone is calm, serene, earnestly praying and waiting with mounting excitement, anticipating the magnificent culmination of the prayer services—the three-fold Priestly Blessing. Answering the call of the chazzan (prayer leader), hundreds upon hundreds of kohanim (priests) from all over Israel gather on the dais and raise their hands towards the assembled congregation and begin the collective blessing.

May G-d bless you and guard you.
May G-d illuminate His countenance towards you and be gracious to you.
May G-d turn His countenance to you and establish peace for you.

Considering the vast numbers of people, the stunning silence that ensues is impressive. And for a few minutes, as the kohanim chant together, the individuals of the conglomeration look inside themselves. The mother from Meah Shearim with children clutching the folds of her dress, the tired old European woman who is fulfilling her long awaited dream of visiting the Kotel, the jewel-bedecked lady from Beverly Hills who is enjoying the holiday at the King David Hotel, the laughing Canadian college student who prides herself in being an atheist, the toned and tanned Tel Avivian, the large cluster of American seminary students in their long jean skirts—all are moved, stirred to great emotion by the experience. The tears streaming down the distinctly diverse faces are identical, interchangeable.

For a moment, barriers break down—the distinguished essence of each Jew is revealed, the fundamental connection to G-dliness at the core of each being that transcends the levels of conscious awareness openly apparent. Only the physical bodies divide the Jewish souls one from the other.

When the Jews approached Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, they camped "as one man, with one heart." This oneness created the spiritual climate necessary for the giving of the Torah. Similarly, to merit the Divine revelations that will accompany the Redemption, a microcosm of the Sinaic revelations, unity is necessary.

United, the Oneness of G-d rests upon His children and He fulfills our prayers, acquiescing to the blessing of the Kohanim, hastening the coming of the era when G-d's all encompassing Oneness will permeate the totality of existence, when He will bless us... guard us... and finally establish peace for us.
[United we Stand, Batya Lisker]

May we merit witnessing the restoration of the Kohanim to their true avoda.

If you have any comments or feedback, please email daniel@worldmizrachi.org.

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