Parshat Naso

In Parshat Naso we find the very special blessing which Hashem commands the Cohanim to bless us “May Hashem bless you and watch over you, May Hashem make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you  May Hashem turn his face to you and grant you peace.” The blessing opens that the Cohanim ask Hashem to bless us and watch over us, how do our sages interpret this looking after our welfare.

Our classic early commentators view this as Hashem watching over our personal material welfare. Rashi explains, he will bless you with worldly possessions and watch over you, so that a thief will not come and steal it all, as in that case you are not able to benefit from the blessing. The Ibn Ezra understands this as a blessing of long life and happiness and Hashem will watch over you that you can enjoy the pleasures of your life. The Sforno sees this as a blessing of wealth and possessions, as the famous phrase, if there no flour there is no Torah (ein kemach, ein Torah) and Hashem will watch over that it will not be stolen.

The only one to really break this mould, is the Rashbam. Rashi’s grandson who sees this as a blessing not for individual welfare, but as a message for the whole of Israel and that Hashem, and not the Cohen, is conveying the blessing. The Rashbam notes that the verse after the blessing is “And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Do not misinterpret this blessing conveyed by the Cohanim or any other holy person, it is a blessing from Hashem, not some mystical power of the person who blesses you.

Later Sages, see this in a more practical manner that Hashem will help those that help themselves. The Netziv views this as If you sit and learn Hashem will bless you to be able to learn more and understand but watch over you, so you do not to become too conceited. If you are in business Hashem will bless your business ventures and watch over you that your wealth should be for your good and not spoil your good ways.

The Ohr Hachaim takes a slightly different approach, explaining that the blessing here is powerful one coming directly from Hashem, with continuity. So, just as Hashem blesses you, you must recognize your good fortune. You have the responsibility to be grateful and use your good fortune for the good, as you progress through life.

To move to the more practical procedure during the blessing. The Shulchan Aruch states that we should not look at the Cohanim while they bless us, but not turn our backs on them, and also the Cohanim should not look at their own hands. The Magen Avraham explains that we should not look elsewhere, but a brief glance is understandable. The Mishna Brura adds that that is why some have a custom to cover themselves with a Tallit during the blessing. As we are aware, it is sometimes difficult for young children not to take a peep and I can remember one of my kids, peeping and shouting out loud, look he has a hole in his sock, so we try not to look so as not to disturb their concentration

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