This special prayer, the Priestly blessing, also widely known by its Hebrew name, Birkat HaKohanim, is a traditional, ancient blessing believed to have mystical power.
The Priestly blessing can only be recited by Kohens (or Cohens) who are the male descendants of Aaron, brother of Biblical Moses. The Kohens or Kohanim (plural in Hebrew) were the great priests of the Israelites from the time of Exodus to the Second Temple period. As told in the book of Numbers, Aaron was commended by God to deliver this blessing through the Kohens in the Sinai Desert. Since then, the Priestly blessing has become one of the most ancient amulets in the Jewish history. Today, Priestly blessing is a popular motif in Jewish jewelry and Kabbalah jewelry.
Why is this prayer so unique and why is it considered to be so powerful?
The blessing of the Kohens was recited to Aaron and his brothers on the day they finished setting up the sacred tabernacle in the middle of the Israelite camp in the Sinai Desert.
The origins for the prayer are found in the Bible:
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee,
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace"
(Book of Numbers, 6:24-26).
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Aaron and his sons blessed the Israelites with this blessing in God's commandment, and delivered this ritual to their decedents. Since then, it has become a custom in Jewish tradition to recite this prayer at certain services. The Priestly blessing can only be recited by Kohens who form a holy order and follow the rules of the Torah to protect them against ritual defilement. To maintain ritual purity, the Kohens must abstain from certain things like going to cemeteries.
Before the service, the Kohens, usually two or three, wash their hands (Netilat Yadaim ritual) and remove their shoes. The removal of the shoes represents the Kohens's work at the sacred Temple where the priests used to walk barefoot. As they recite the prayer, the Kohens stand on the platform facing the ark, in front of the congregation. The Kohens cover their heads with their Tallit. The Hazzan (cantor) recites the three verses melodically. The Kohens repeat it after him word by word and the congregation responds with “Amen”.
During this ritual, the Kohens stretch their arms forward and spread out their hands, with fingers separated so as to have space between them. Then, the Kohens cover their hands with the Tallit so no one can see their hands while the blessing is recited. The priestly blessing is also known as Nesiat Kapayim – which means the raising of the hands in Hebrew.
The mystical power of the Priestly blessing derives from the explicit reference to one of God's sacred names. It is believed that acknowledging the explicit name of God brings the abundance of God's Kingdom to the earthly world. Following God's commandments to deliver this blessing to their people, the Kohens were to teach the Israelites the sacred name of God on earth.
There are several Moshrashim (Rabbinical expositions) explaining this blessing beyond its literal sense. The first Midrash found in the Song of Songs teaches us that the mystical power of this blessing is derived from the words of the blessing and their meaning. According to this midrash, an exact inscription of the blessing with no additions possesses the special quality to protect from misfortunes and troubles.
Another explanation provided by the great Jewish philosopher, Levi Ben Gershon, better known as Ralbag, also makes reference to the mystical power of letters and words. Ralbag emphasizes the importance of reciting the blessing in no other language than Hebrew. In translation, he says, the mystical power of the words might be lost.
Rabbi Shlomo LeBeit Halevy explains that the Kohens mediate between God's Kingdom and the earthly world. Since the Kohens are blessed with the divine protection, they can inspire divine abundance upon the rest of the people by reciting this special blessing. The Kohens delivering this version of the blessing are clear that this is God's blessing, not their own.
Rabbi Mordachi HaCohen says this Priestly blessing is an amulet against evil eye that God has given to the people of Israel through the Kohens. Archeological findings have revealed talismans with these verses inscribed on them dating as early as the First Temple period, thousands of years ago. To this day, many people believe that carrying these powerful verses can draw divine protection and blessing upon the wearer. Priestly Blessing is inscribed on amulets and is widely spread within Jewish Jewelry and Kabbalah jewelry.
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