RABBI SHALOM ROSNER Lessons from Birchat Kohanim

Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh

In this week’s parsha we find “Birchat Kohanim”, the phrases used by the Kohanim to bless Am Yisrael. The following pasuk serves as an introduction:

Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them: (Bamidbar 3:23).

What exactly is intended by the word הכ”” -? How are the kohanim to bless Am Yisrael?

The Kli Yakar offers three interpretations of the word הכ.

Connection to Nazir: The word הכ (Ko) draws our attention to what immediately preceded this parsha. We were previously

Religious Caregiver

instructed of the laws of Nazir – one who takes upon himself certain restrictions, including not to cut hair, not to drink wine, and to avoid becoming tamea (impure). The connection between the previous segment of Nazir and Birchat Kohanim is to highlight that wine may bring one personal enjoyment but throughout Tanach we find examples where the consumption of too much wine leads to tragedy (Noach, Lot, etc). When a Kohen is engaged in blessing the nation, he must avoid drinking wine. The Torah stresses םהל רומא – it needs to be spoken and a drunk individual is unable to speak properly.

Connection to Birchat Avraham. The bracha granted to Avraham utilized the word ךערז היהי הכ”” – הכ – (Bereshit 15:5). When Bilam sought to curse the nation it states: הכ ארקא יכנאו ךיתלוע לע הכ בציתה (Stand here next to your burnt offering and I will be call out from here). The midrash interprets the two uses of the word הכ to refer to Bilam stating that through the sacrifice the bracha to Avraham’s offspring ךערז היהי הכ will be uprooted and then the curse would be able to overcome the bracha of וכרבת הכ לארשי ינב תא. Bilam was able to entice the nation to sin and 24,000 were killed. He was unable to reach the number he desired of 25,000 which he figured would supersede