A Hidden Gem

 As a Kohen himself, our member Rabbi Paul Bloom naturally takes a deep interest in the priestly blessing that he and his fellow Kohanim bestow on us in Israel daily. In the following piece he enlarges on aspects of the famous three-fold blessing we have come to know and love so well.

The First Birkat Kohanim: A Hidden Gem in Parashat Shemini

Tucked away in Parashat Shemini, between the detailed descriptions of the Chanukat HaMizbe’ach—the dedication of the altar—and the intricate halachot of kashrut, lies a historic and touching moment: the very first Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessing, given by Aharon HaKohen himself.

This is not merely a ritual act. According to the Torah, after completing the sacred service, Aharon turns to the people and blesses them. The actual text of the blessing—Yevarechecha Hashem veyishmerecha—does not appear here (it is found later in Parashat Naso), but the concept is born here: the initiative of blessing the people as an act of love and spiritual connection.

Aharon’s Initiative, A Heartfelt Blessing

Rashi, quoting the Midrash, tells us that Aharon said the familiar three-part blessing we're used to hearing today. Remarkably, Ramban points out that Aharon was not explicitly commanded to give this blessing. He did so from the depth of his heart, unprompted, in a spontaneous gesture of warmth and hope for Am Yisrael. This moment is not just ceremonial; it is deeply personal and profoundly moving. It reveals Aharon's character—a leader whose instinct is to bless, to give, to uplift.

Understanding the Threefold Blessing

The Birkat Kohanim contains three verses—each one short, but powerful. The Arizal teaches that these three blessings correspond to three major Yamim Tovim and their spiritual themes.

The Ba’al HaTurim draws this precise connection between the three parts of the blessing and the three core offerings: chatat, olah, and shelamim. Each one mirrors a dimension of human life—atonement, aspiration, and harmony.

1. Yevarechecha Hashem veyishmerecha – “May Hashem bless you and protect you”
    This is the berachah of shemirah, protection. It resonates with Pesach, the "Leil Shimurim"—a night of divine safeguarding. Just as Hashem protected the Jewish people from the dangers of Egypt, this blessing asks for continual divine protection from harm and from the consequences of past mistakes. It’s the korban chatat—atonement for human fallibility.
   
   
2. Ya'er Hashem panav eilecha vichuneka – “May Hashem shine His face upon you and be gracious to you”
    This represents or, divine light and illumination. It echoes the experience of Shavuot, the giving of the Torah, which enlightens and inspires our lives. It’s the light of guidance, clarity, and divine wisdom that helps shape our spiritual aspirations—what the korban olah symbolizes: elevation and striving for higher spiritual realms.
   
   
3. Yisa Hashem panav eilecha veyasem lecha shalom – “May Hashem lift His face toward you and grant you peace”
    The blessing of shalom—peace and wholeness—connects to Sukkot. The Sukkah envelops us in divine embrace and symbolizes unity and harmony, both within ourselves and among people. This reflects the korban shelamim, which brings peace between the body and soul, and between humans and God.

A Contemporary Insight

In human terms, these blessings can be seen as three spiritual pillars:

●      Shemirah is about healing and protection—having the ability to fix, to apologize, and to move forward after a mistake.

●      Or (Light) is about spiritual growth—the yearning to learn, to rise, and to connect more deeply to Hashem.

●      Shalom is about building peace—within ourselves, our families, our communities, and ultimately within Klal Yisrael.

Each time the Kohanim raise their hands, they are channeling not only divine energy but the selfless spirit of Aharon HaKohen, who first reached out with love to bless his people.

The Deeper Calling of a Blessing

It’s worth noting that when Avraham Avinu is chosen, he is given a mission: "Ve’heyei berachah" – “And you shall be a blessing.” This is not a casual compliment; it’s a job description. The Jewish people are meant to be conduits of blessing for the entire world. But to bless, we must first be blessed.The Birkat Kohanim, born in Parashat Shemini, is the divine energy that empowers us to carry out our role. It’s not simply a nice ceremony—it’s a spiritual plug-in. And it began with one man, Aharon HaKohen, who, without being told, looked at his people and chose to bless.

May we merit to receive that blessing with open hearts, and may it ripple outward—bringing kedushah, healing, and peace to ourselves, our communities, and the entire world.