An ancient Jewish theme is the idea of one person blessing another. Everyone has the power of blessing to a certain extent, but some people have it to a greater degree. The person giving the blessing is calling on G‑d to help a particular individual, to pour on him or her Divine bounty and goodness.
G‑d told Abraham "...through you will be blessed all families of the earth". G‑d was hereby granting Abraham the power of blessing.
This week's Torah reading, Naso, gives the text of a very remarkable blessing: the words with which the Priests, the kohanim, bless the people. They used to chant this daily in the Temple. Today too, on festivals, they stand in front of the Ark and bless the congregation:
May G‑d bless and protect you. May G‑d make His countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you. May G‑d turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.
Rabbi Akiva explains that following the blessing of the kohanim, G‑d responds and gives His infinitely exalted blessing to the Jewish people.. The kohanim pronounce their blessing, and G‑d responds.
We just celebrated the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. One of this holiday's lessons is the ongoing interaction between each individual and G‑d. The same effect as when the Kohain blesses and G-d responds, is with each individual when we study Torah, G-d responds. We connect with G-d.
An individual actually, connects with G‑d at every step. Whether as a kohen blessing the congregation, or any person studying Torah, or indeed carrying out any mitzvah, G‑d responds, at every moment of our life.
Shabbat Shalom! Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:34
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