As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And they shall put my name upon the Sons of Israel and I shall bless them.” (6:27)

This was an extraordinary prerogative which Hashem conferred upon the Cohanim, that because of their pronouncing the blessings upon Israel these blessings would be fulfilled. But one important purpose of this arrangement by Hashem is clearly apparent: that the people should desire the approval of the Cohen. Of the Cohanim it was said: “They shall teach your judgments to Jacob, and your Torah to Israel; they shall put incense to your nose and whole-burnt offering upon your Mizbeach (Alter).” (Devarim 33:10) “And you shall come to the Cohanim the Levites, or to the judge…and you shall do according to the word that they shall tell you…you shall not turn aside to the right or the left.” (ibid. 17:10-11)

When Israel’s blessings would depend on the utterances of the Cohen, the nation would certainly seek to find favor in the eyes of the Cohen and obey their teachings with more alacrity. We learn here the lesson that Hashem blesses those whom His servants favor. The Cohanim are singled out by the Torah, but in principle we perceive that Hashem hearkens to the blessings of all that serve Him: “He that has in his home someone that is ill, should go to a Torah Sage to pray for him. (Baba Batra 116A) Men are thereby Induced to obey the Torah teachers because they understand that Hashem would hearken to blessings of His servants upon other men. Thus a father urged his son to go to the Sages that had come to town “so that they should bless you.” (Moed Kattan 9B) We thereby seek to obey the Sages and to find favor in their eyes, for the Cohanim and the Sages are heard by Hashem when they utter blessings.

Question: “Israelites are blessed by Cohanim; who blesses the Cohanim?” (Hullin 49A) One answer (ibid.): “and I shall bless them” means “I shall bless the Cohanim” when they bless My people. Another answer (ibid.) is that Hashem told Abraham “I shall bless those who bless you.” (Beresheet 12:3) Both answers teach an extremely valuable lesson: To Bless Jews is a deed which is richly rewarded by Hashem. Even when the blessing was said as a formality, as when a gentile encountered the Nasi, the Nasi declared that the gentile would receive Hashem’s blessing in accordance with the declaration to Abraham “I shall bless those who bless you.”

Then how much greater is the blessing of Hashem upon those that wholeheartedly bless a Jew! He that passes a Jewish home and utters blessings upon that household, although none but Hashem heard His words, has thereby gained a blessing from Hashem Himself. “For Hashem loves only those that love Israel.” (Mesilat Yesharim Ch. 19)

Quoted from “Journey into Greatness” by Rabbi Miller ZT”L

Related posts:

1. Parshat Lech Lecha As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And I shall...
2. Parshat Devarim As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L Chodesh Av Ahavat...
3. Parshat Lech Lecha As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And I shall...
4. Ahavat Yisrael As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L Ahavat Yisrael -...
5. Ahavat Yisrael As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And I shall...