The Blessings of the Priests and of the Fathers

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:  Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying thus (koh) shall you bless the children of Israel you shall say to them…  Numbers 6:22-23

          This verse introduces the priestly blessing. Ba’al haTurim notes the use of the word koh and comments: (the priestly blessing) invokes the merit of our forefathers, as the verse (concerning the binding of Isaac) states: “And the lad and I will go yonder (koh)” (Genesis 22:5), and as the verse (God’s promise to Abraham) says “So (koh) shall your seed be” (Genesis 15:5).

          My father noted an additional significance of the use of the word koh in these three verses. The ultimate blessing is when father and son walk together (as Abraham and Isaac did on their way to Mount Moriah), when there is no generation gap and all generations of Israel are united.

          This concept relates as well to the final verse of the priestly blessing, which we can assume to be its highest level: “and may He give you peace” (Numbers 6:26). This verse is followed immediately by the description of the dedication of the Tabernacle. Peace, on the simplest level refers to harmony between man and fellow man. It is this harmony which allows the Tabernacle/Temple to be built and maintained among us.