B"H
Friday, Sivan 10, 5781 / May 21, 2021
This week’s Parsha is Naso, the second Parsha in the Book of Numbers. As mentioned yesterday, in most years, as in this year, it is read on the Shabbat after Shavuot.
In this Parsha we find the Three-fold blessing which the Kohanim bless the Jewish people. Blessing others, although it’s a mitzvah (commandment) only to the kohanim, however, it’s a Jewish custom to give each other blessings. G-d gave Abraham the power of blessing and G-d told him that all those who will bless him will themselves be blessed.
Q. What is the connection between the Three-fold Priestly blessing and the fact that it is read from the Torah on the Shabbat after Shavuot?
A. Blessing in Hebrew is “Beracha” which begins with the letter, “Bet.” The Torah also begins with the Letter “Bet” (“Breishis”).
Our sages ask, why doesn’t the Torah begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph)? They reply, G-d wanted to begin the Torah with the “Bet” for it is the letter which means “blessing.” G-d wanted to tell us that through Torah we acquire blessings.
Thus, the Shabbat after the holiday of Shavuot we read Parshat Naso in which G-d gives us His Three-fold blessings, to let us know that through the Torah, which was given on the holiday of Shavuot, one acquires G-d’s blessings.
Q. The Kohanim bless the people, but who blesses the Kohanim?
A. At the conclusion of the Three-fold blessing, the Torah says, “And they [the Kohanim-priests] shall put My name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them." “Them” refers, not only to the people who are being blessed by the Kohanim, but also to the Kohanim themselves who are doing the blessing. G-d blesses the Kohanimfor their role in blessing the people. Through blessing others, they also get blessed.
Q.Why does the person called up to the Torah (Aliyah) hold the Torah with both hands while reciting the blessing over the Torah?
A. This is in accordance with the words of Proverbs concerning the Torah, "It is a Tree of life to those who hold on to her (Torah)."
Q. Why is it customary that when one's Aliyah is finished they don't leave right away, but wait at the side until the next person's Aliyah is finished?
A. This is to avoid giving the impression of, "a child who is impatient to leave the classroom." Staying at the Torah until after the next person's Aliyah is complete, is a sign of respect for the Torah.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:07 / Shabbat ends: 9:21