78

The Kohanim must bless the Jewish nation daily

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Tefillah – תְּפִלָּה

The Kohanim, the priestly descendants of Aaron, are commanded to bless the Children of Israel every day.

This mitzvah commands the Kohanim (priests) to bless the Jewish people with the threefold Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing). This daily blessing invokes Hashem’s favor, protection, grace, and peace upon the nation. The Kohanim serve as channels of divine blessing, elevating the people’s connection to Hashem during communal worship.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah 15:1): Rules that the Kohanim are obligated to bless the people whenever they stand before the congregation in prayer.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 378): The root is Hashem’s love for Israel, commanding that blessing flow constantly from Heaven through the Kohanim.
  • Talmud (Sotah 38a): States that a Kohen who withholds from blessing the people transgresses a positive commandment.
(Source: Chabad.org)
דַּבֵּ֤ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶל־בָּנָ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֥ה תְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אָמ֖וֹר לָהֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא
Numbers 6:23 - "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them:"

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