Blessings to You by Beth Warshauer, Director of Youth Engagement

This week’s Torah Portion, Naso, is the longest portion in the Torah containing 176 verses! A variety of topics are covered from taking a census to the arrangement of the Israelite camp. In the midst of the portion, God instructs Moses to speak to the Israelites using the Priestly Blessing: “Adonai bless you and protect you! Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! Adonai bring favor on you and grant you peace!” The Torah teaches us that the blessing is commanded by God, pronounced by the priests, and carried out by Adonai. It is among our most ancient prayers and joins God’s name to the Israelite people.
The modern Bible commentator Nechama Leibowitz (1905-1997) explains that the opening “bless you and protect you” speaks of everyday things, the middle “deal kindly and graciously with you” speaks of our hearts and our spirits, and the closing “bring favor on you and grant you peace” brings together the world of things and the world of spirit.
We’ve heard this blessing many times during the last several weeks – at B’nei Mitzvah, at Graduation Shabbat, at milestone birthday and anniversary recognitions, and most recently at Confirmation this past Friday night. Each of these occasions has been a launching point for our children. At the conclusion of each of these services, our B’nei Mitzvah students formally enter Jewish adulthood; Graduation Shabbat celebrates the end of high school and the beginning of college; and Confirmation celebrates individual and group affirmations of commitment to the Jewish people.
There is something reassuring and almost tender watching clergy offer the blessing. The raised hands and the taking turns of reciting each part of the blessing form a circle of protection around the heads of our loved ones. Understanding the importance of the words and the breadth of the blessings definitely establishes this as a significant moment acknowledging where we have been and who we are as a people and sends us off on the next part of our journey with the reminder that we have a direct connection to God. It is my hope that our high school graduates, our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, and finally, our Confirmands will all feel blessed as they begin the next part of their lives.