Parashat: Naso

Parashat: Naso
Torah Reading: Numbers 4:21–7:89

וְשָׂמ֥וּ אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י עַל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַאֲנִ֖י אֲבָרְכֵֽם
“Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

— Numbers 7:27

The above verse concludes the section of Torah in this week’s parsha (Naso) which is typically called the Priestly Blessing (“May Adonai bless you and keep you, etc.). This three-fold blessing is still used as part of many lifecycle and other moments in the Jewish community, even two thousand years after our people have regularly relied on the roles of the Priestly class of men, descendants of Aaron, to formally bless the people and carry out their sacrifices for them. (Though in traditional services, those who trace their lineage to being Kohanim are still invited at regular times to bring this blessing on the congregation.) Many commentators point out that the last words of the verse “Va’Ani Avarchem” — “and I will bless them” is completely ambiguous. Who is being blessed by God when the Priests say the special blessing — the Israelites? The Priests themselves? Ibn Ezra concludes that it is truly both, as Abraham was first promised in Genesis: “I will bless those who bless.” In other words, the reward for blessing others is being blessed yourself! Now go out and be a blessing.

— Rabbi Craig Axler