Discussing the many blessings we have here at TSS coincided with this week’s Torah portion, which included the “priestly blessing.” Cantor Sussman spoke to the subject eloquently as she explained how a stone carved with these words was found and dates back thousands of years.
So what is a Blessing?
And what is it about these words that have endured the test of time and still hold the very same meaning for us today?
The Torah states: “The Lord Spoke to Moses: Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them:
The Lord bless you and Keep you.
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you.
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them.
As the Cantor explained, people have questioned this reading, wondering how the priests held such power to bless the people. The Rabbis teach us that The Lord bestowed his blessing on the Priests who in turn then blessed the Israelites.
Whether it came from the priest’s lips or from our own. We now realize the power of these words. And the feelings these words invoke to all who speak them. Often we seek blessings from one another. A young couple wants the blessing of their parents before they marry, we invoke God’s name to bless the sick or less fortunate. Even a sneeze will bring most people, even strangers, to offer a blessing.
Often we associate material goods and health, good friends and family with one who is truly blessed. We at TSS feel extremely blessed to include our spiritual family among the many blessings already in our possession.
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