PRIESTLY BLESSING

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The Priestly Blessing Printer-Friendly Version The priestly blessing is found in Numbers 6:23-27. Traditionally, the priests blessed the people every morning after the sacrifice at the Temple. Today, many synagogues end their service with this blessing as a benediction. When recited, the kohen (priest) raises his hands with the palms facing outward and the thumbs of his outspread hands touching. The four fingers on each hand are split into two sets of two fingers each (thus forming the letter Shin, an emblem for Shaddai): CHANTED

	In the blessing that follows, the text in brackets is said (in an undertone) in response to the priest’s recitation:

Did you know? Orthodox Jews do not look at the Kohanim (priests) while they are saying the blessing, for two reasons: One is not supposed to look at anything during the blessing. Instead one should look at the ground and concentrate on the blessing. Looking at the Kohanim could be distracting. When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, the Divine Presence would shine on the fingers of the Kohanim as they would bless the Jews, and no one was allowed to look out of respect for God. Today Orthodox Jews continue this practice as a reminder of what praying was like in days past. Note that this blessing is also used to bless members of your household, for example, during the Kiddush on Shabbat, as well as on other occasions.

Scripture: Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:23-27, KJV)

Chanted Birkat Kohanim

To listen to the Hebrew chanted in a reconstructionist style, click on the speaker below:

CHANTED