Parashat Naso
The Spiritual Healing Power of the Kohanim
Blessings
May Mothers Bless Their Children with the Blessing of the Kohanim?
I’ve always been drawn to the Kohanim blessings. Whenever I come
to the synagogue, I make a point of staying for Birkat HaKohanim. The
Kohanim blessings – also known as Nesi’at Kapayim, the “lifting of the
hands” – is a blessing that has been recited by the Kohanim since biblical
times. It emanates from Aharon, the first Kohen Gadol, who is known for his
love of people, and for making shalom and pursuing shalom (Pirkei Avot
1:12). Aharon bequeathed his descendants with the ability to channel divine
blessings to Israel through the exquisite G-d- given words of blessings
mentioned in Parashat Naso. Birkat HaKohanim always leaves me
feeling comforted and spiritually uplifted. During the High Holidays, it is
recited with a special beautiful, melodious chant that gives us time to pray
for the amelioration of any disturbing dreams we may have experienced, as
written in the Machzor (High Holiday prayerbook). Every Friday night we
traditionally bless our children to be like Efraim and Menashe, or for
daughters to be like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, and Leah, followed by the words of
the Kohanim Blessing. With our oldest son, I wasn’t aware that mothers may
bless their children Friday night as well. Yet when my younger son was born I
learned that mothers no less than fathers may bless their children Friday
night as it states, “The custom of all Israel to bless their sons and
daughters every Shabbat and Yom Tov is because occasionally during the week the
father and mother may have chastised and cursed their children due to having
been pained by them, and therefore now in a time of joy they nullify these
curses through the blessings, and also the evil Angel answers Amen.” (Siddur
Otzer Hatefilot, Aravit L’Shabbat). Likewise, according to Arizal,
“A mother may bless her children Friday night, and this is the custom.
According to the words of the Arizal, the main benefit of the Friday night
blessing is specifically from the mother” (Rav Ovadia Yosef, Halacha Yomit). I also learned from the Arizal
that he used to kiss his mother’s hand when returning from the Synagogue Friday
night and that this is a good custom (Pri Etz Chaim, Sha’ar Shabbat 14; Machberet
Hakodesh, Sha’ar Shabbat). It has become our minhag every Friday night that
my son kisses my hand, and then I bless him with Birkat Kohanim. This
bestowal of blessing is a sweet moment – a highlight of my week.
Placing the Hands Above the Head of the Person Receiving Blessings
Although there is some discussion in the Talmud and commentaries
regarding whether a non-Kohen may recite the Kohanim blessing, and whether it
is permissible to raise the hands during the blessing, there is consensus that
it is permitted as long as it’s not in the Temple or Synagogue and the recital
is without the intention to fulfill the mitzvah of blessing the Jewish nation.
When we recite the words of the Kohanim blessing merely as a personal blessing
of a friend then there is no prohibition whatsoever (Rav Ovadia Yosef, Halacha Yomit). Furthermore, the 18th Century Sefer
Yosef Ometz states that a two-handed blessing is superior to a
one-handed blessing for kabbalistic reasons. So, yes, I place both my hands
above the head of my son and my granddaughters (whenever they come for Shabbat)
Friday night as I bless them.
Ten Blessings for Body and Soul
According to Jewish numerology every letter has an outer and inner
numerical value. The outer revealed value is the value of the letter itself.
Its inner concealed value is its filling, when you spell out the letter without
counting the value of the letter itself. The Kli Yakar notes that each of the
three Kohanim blessings begins with the letter יוּד/yud:
The revealed numerical value of the letter י/yud is 10. When you spell out the letter yud ד י-ו- yud/vav/dalet its inner concealed filling וּ-ד/vav dalet also adds up to 10 (6+4). The yud’s double numerical value of ten teaches us that each of the Kohanim blessings applies to both the physical and the spiritual realm. In Hebrew, the word for hand יָד/yad derives from the same root as the letter יוּד/yud. Perhaps this explains why it’s preferable to bless our children with both hands to impart blessings for both body and soul. These blessings correspond to the ten physical blessings that the parents contribute to the fetus and the ten spiritual blessings that Hashem imparts. The father emits the five white parts: bones, sinews, nails, brain, and the white of the eye. The mother emits the red parts: skin, flesh, blood, hair, and the black of the eye. Hashem imparts the ten spiritual parts: spirit, soul, countenance, eyesight, the hearing of the ear, the speech of the mouth, the walking of the legs, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom (Babylonian Talmud, Niddah 31a). All these twenty parts are blessed when the Kohen lifts his ten fingers. From each finger emanates the blessing for the physically revealed realm as well as the spiritually concealed features. The three yuds in the Kohanim blessing add up to the numerical value of 60 (including its revealed and concealed gematria). This corresponds to the sixty letters that make up the entire Birkat Kohanim (Kli Yakar, Bamidbar 6:24).
The Evolving Relationship Between Us and Hashem and Us and Our
Children
Kli Yakar continues to explain that the three sentences of Birkat
Kohanim correspond to three stages of development of Israel 1. Daughter 2.
Sister 3. Mother. These three stages may also be applied to parenthood. In the
first line of the Kohanim blessing, we are below, and Hashem is the Father
bestowing blessings and guarding us from Above. This corresponds to the level
of “daughter.” In this lowest level, the children of Israel are compared to
children completely dependent on their parents. Rising to become “Sister”
denotes the equality of being face-to-face. This corresponds to “May Hashem
shine His face upon you…” The Jewish people have now risen to a more
independent adult level. Ultimately evolving to become Mother, we are, as
it were, elevated to a superior position, corresponding to “May Hashem lift up
His face upon you” so to speak. We are still awaiting reaching this highest
stage. When reciting the first verse of the Kohanim blessing, I envision my son
when he was little and needed my care and protection. I lift my son’s head to
face me, when reciting the second verse, as he is now an adult, and we are in a
way at eye level. I must hold back all my advice and “telling what to do” and
just relate to my son face-to-face as somewhat of an equal. Just as Hashem
shines His face at you, as it were, from the same level as you. The third and
last part of Birkat Kohanim “May Hashem lift up His face to you and
grant you peace,” indicates G-d’s looking up to us, as an elder parent looks up
to an adult child, with approving respect. While reciting this verse I focus my
hopes on how my son will care for me as I become elderly, when we parents
become more dependent on our children. Yet, at this stage, once we will slow
down, we may also find more peace to impart to our children (Based on an
article by Rabbi Noah Arnow).
EmunaHealing Exercise for Elevating the Energy of a Space
1. Find a comfortable place to settle yourself. Inhale deeply
filling your lungs with fresh air and exhale through your mouth making a
sizzling sound with your tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. Make sure
you exhale all the air from your lungs, even when you think you have done that,
blow out just a little more, to clean your lungs completely. Repeat this four
times.
2. Pay attention to your environment and surroundings. What sounds
do you hear? What scent do you sense in this place you are in? What energy do
you feel? With closed eyes try to tap into the energy in the space around you.
Is it vibrant or soft? Is the energy agitated or calm? Some places have
negative energy. When people argue, it creates negative energy. It’s a vicious
circle, people fight when there is no energy, or when the energy is low, and
the fighting itself creates more negative energy. This can cause the place to
be blocked from Hashem’s light. Other places in which holy people live, or
places where many pray, accumulate beautiful, holy energy. It can be a place
filled with light and goodness. In nature, the energy is naturally renewed, but
even in nature, it is possible to elevate the energy so the plants will grow
better.
3. We can uplift the places that already have good energy by
opening the energy fields and infusing the space with Hashem’s light. With
prayers and body movement, we can elevate the energy of any space including a
garden space, every space big or small, a room in a home, an item, a
bed, a chair, even a garment or a piece of jewelry. Used clothing receives the
energy of its wearer. If you don’t know who wore it beforehand, you may want to
perform this spiritual exercise for it. Choose a space or item for yourself to
clear negative energy and elevate the space.
4. Now it’s time for you to start clearing spiritual blocks from
your chosen space or item.
Take a few more mindful breaths and feel your lungs filling with
divine light. Envision your heart expanding with Hashem’s love and compassion.
Can you tap into the spark of divine love within? Open yourself to allow it to
grow and fill your entire diaphragm! In the rhythm of your soft breathing in
and out of your heart, envision the divine spark growing into a warming bonfire
of love.
5. Get in touch with how there is only One and only G-d whose
light fills you, your surroundings, and the entire universe. Breathe in and out
of this Oneness. Allow yourself to become part of this Oneness.
6. Now get ready to recite the six words of the Shema Yisrael:
“Hear Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One!” (Devarim 6:4). If you
intend to elevate a certain room, then have כַּוָּנָה/kavana –
‘intention’ on the mezuza. Have in mind to infuse your chosen space, room, or
item with Hashem’s oneness as you recite שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל הָשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵינוּ
הָשֵׁם אֶחָד/Shema
Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad!
7. While keeping your intention on the mezuza of the room in which
you want to clear the energy, recite the 15 words (in Hebrew) of the Kohanim
blessings: “May Hashem bless you and watch over you! May Hashem shine His face
upon you and bestow grace on you! May Hashem lift His face upon you and grant
you peace!” (Bamidbar 6:24-26).
Keep in mind also the elevation from the level of daughter to
sister, to mother, and imagine this gradual elevation of the energy in your
space as you recite the exquisite words of Birkat HaKohanim: Yevarechecha
Hashem ve’yismerecha. ya’er Hashem panav elecha vichunecha. Yisa Hashem panav
elecha veyasem lecha shalom!
9. Return to your original comfortable place and close your eyes if they aren’t already closed. Breathe softly and focus on the energy in your space. Can you feel a difference? Perhaps the heaviness has lifted, and you sense a loving lightness as if we are all embraced in a ‘divine hug’.
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