By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

We were just blessed on Shavuos by the kohanim. How uplifting it was to receive their bracha, and listen to their melodious chants. It truly felt that we were the recipients of HaShem’s brachos.

This week’s parsha, Nasso, tells us of Birchas Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

The Kohanim begin by reciting the following bracha: Blessed are You HaShem, our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with kedushas Aaron, the sanctity of Aaron, and commanded us to bless the people of Israel b’ahavah, with love.

Kedushas Aaron – the sanctity of Aaron. Exactly what is the holiness of Aaron?

Pirkei Avos, Ethics of the Fathers, teaches us to be “the students” of Aaron. Ohev Shalom, a lover of peace, rodeph sholom, a pursuer of peace, ohev es habriyos, loving of all mankind, u’mekarvan laTorah, and bringing them closer to Torah. (Pirkei Avos/Ethics 1:12)

To be from the students of Aaron. A student is always learning, growing, and developing. A student doesn’t stand still, but strives to ascend the ladder of knowledge and character. To be a student of Aaron means to always be working on oneself, in a constant state of self-improvement. Working on becoming a true person of peace, a man of shalom.

Rodeph shalom – pursuing peace. Rodeph literally means “to run after”. The Midrash tells us that when Aaron was aware of two people who disagreed with each other, he would run to one and say “Your friend really wants to make up with you”. He would then go to the other disagreeing party and repeat the same words to him. When the two would subsequently meet, the road for peace was already paved by Aaron.

Ohev es habriyos – to love all of mankind. In Aaron’s eyes, everyone was good. He loved every human being, seeing the tzelem Elokim, the holy image of HaShem in each person. He was able to look at every person and see the goodness within.

U’mekarvan laTorah – and brought them closer to Torah. When people observed Aaron’s great love and respect for his fellow, when they saw how important shalom between brothers was to him, they wanted to follow in his footsteps and live a Torah life. People would observe Aaron’s peaceful ways, and say if that is what it means to be a Torah Jew, count me in.

Aaron didn’t just “talk the talk”, but he “walked the walk”. In his own personal life, Aaron was a man of love. From Aaron we learn to genuinely fargin, to be happy for the blessings and good fortune in another’s life. To be proud of one’s family member or a friend’s accomplishments.

Aaron was the older brother, yet it was Moshe who was chosen by HaShem to be the leader. It was Moshe who was in the limelight. When Moshe was concerned about speaking to Pharaoh, HaShem’s response was that his brother Aaron would join him. HaShem tells Moshe that when Aaron would be coming to greet him, “v’somach b’leebo, he will be happy in his heart”. (Shemos/Exodus 4:14). Aaron had genuine heartfelt happiness for his younger brother’s accomplishments. He was a farginner. Nowhere does it say that Aaron was jealous, questioning why it was Moshe and not him, why was he passed over. Instead, Aaron came with ahavah, with love, proud of his brother. Rashi teaches that because Aaron felt such genuine happiness for Moshe, he merited to wear over his heart the choshen, the breastplate of the Kohain Gadol, the High Priest, upon which were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes, from whom he had much love.

We live in a world where we are so concerned about sibling rivalry. When we raise our little ones, we feel compelled to do exactly for one child what we do for another. Always making sure that if we give one child a gift, we do the same for the others. For example, if we give a birthday present to one, we feel the need to give a little something to the siblings. While our intentions may be good, we are subconsciously raising children to always want what the others have. No wonder that when they become teenagers and then adults, many maintain that desire to have whatever others have.

Birchas Kohanim begins with the reciting of a bracha “… And has commanded us to bless His people b’ahavah, with love.”

With love. We have so many mitzvos – daily mitzvos, like washing our hands upon rising in the morning, and reciting Birchas HaShachar, the morning prayers. There are mitzvos that are unique to Shabbos, like candle lighting and making Kiddush. Mitzvos in honor of the holidays – such as eating matzah on Pesach, sitting in the succah, reciting Megillas Esther, blowing shofar, and kindling the Chanukah menorah. Yet, none of the brachos recited prior to performing these mitzvos include the term “b’ahavah”, to observe the mitzvah with love.

The Zohar tells us that the kohain’s blessings must come from the heart and be sincere. To bless everyone standing before him, each member of Am Yisroel with love. To “fargin” – to be happy for another’s joy, well-being, nachas and mazel. To be selfless, and rise above any feelings of jealousy or ill will. To have a pure, giving heart towards all.

One of the most special childhood memories I have, are my parents’ brachos, every Friday night and especially Erev Yom Kippur. As is customary in many families, we would line up, oldest to youngest, and receive a bracha from our father, as he lovingly placed his hands upon us. We would then go to our mother, and she too, would bless us, and then whisper a personal prayer to each of us – always knowing exactly what we needed to hear.

Before each of the Yomim Tovim, holidays, we would go to our grandparents, Mama and Zeide, to receive brachos from them. As is the Hungarian custom, we would kiss Zeide’s hand and thank him for his brachos. Blessings that were given with ahavah, with love. A love that was palpable.

My mother would tell us to reciprocate with words of blessing to Mama and Zeide. To wish them gezunt, good health, and wish them to be at our weddings, and see much nachas from all of us.

I am often asked what I miss the most about my parents. They were larger than life personalities, both so accomplished. I miss so many things, but high up on that list are their brachos. Brachos that calmed my spirit, and gave me the feeling that everything will be OK, safe and secure. Brachos that were given with love.

B’ahavah. With love. While we may not all be kohanim, we should still relate to each other with love. We can offer blessings to one another. We can pray and be there for each other.

We can all give blessings b’ahavah, with love.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l