Written by Elijah Soufer

How is a successful blessing given? Hashem gives the Kohanim the order to bless the people in Parashat Nasso. “Ko Tevarchu et Bnei Yisrael – In this way, you must bless the People,” says Hashem to the Kohanim just prior to the well-known blessing phrase being given. However, the Torah does not define “this way” in detail.

“Ko Tevarchu-In this way you must bless,” the Rambam says, emphasizing the importance of using these precise words. For example, if a Kohen wishes to add to the blessings bestowed upon the nation, he is prohibited from doing so. These are the only words he can and must use. Likewise, the formula remains the same whether you are blessing a man or a woman, a single individual or a large group of people: “Yevarechecha Hashem V’Yishmarecha.” You bless in this way.

A wonderful explanation is provided by the Maggid of Mezritch. “This is how you bless the people – Ko Tevarchu K’moh Sh’heim” – just as they are, he says. Embrace them for who they are and endeavor to provide every individual your blessing so they can realize their own greatest potential. Therefore, a Kohen should not ask himself, “Which shul should I go to?” when he wakes up in the morning knowing that he is going to bless the people. or “Which community deserves my favor?” Everyone is deserving of it. He needs to naturally be fond of every single person.

This holds true for everyone bestowing a blessing, including parents, teachers, and local authorities. To effectively bless someone, we must genuinely love whoever may be in front of us. To challenge people to obtain higher goals by our actions and words, and to accept them for who they are.

The bracha that the Kohanim recite before they Duchan, “Levareich Et Amo Yisrael Be’ahava,” is now clear to us. We are to “bless the people of Israel with love,” as you have ordered. You can only truly be a benefit to others when you truly love them. This does not only apply to Kohanim but to the whole Jewish nation. The Jewish motto is that you should love your fellow Jew as yourself, every person, Kohen, Levi, or Yisroel should embody this. The Torah even says to treat a slave at least as good as you treat yourself. You should always have others in mind when doing anything.

Shabbat Shalom